The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute is committed to increasing awareness and breaking down barriers in society, allowing all individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential in work, school, and community life.

This is accomplished through a wide range of community-oriented programs, projects, and services.

  • Through its Community Rehabilitation Programs and home to the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, Kennedy Krieger reaches out directly to children, adolescents and adults with disabilities in their communities, providing counseling and therapy in the home, and acting as advocates and brokers for other support services.  
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute was the nation’s first University-Affiliated Program (UAP), later renamed University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). These programs were established in 1963 to advance the understanding of children with intellectual disabilities and other brain related disorders. The Institute set the precedent for this important program, and today more than 67 UCEDDs serve children with developmental disabilities, with at least one found in every state of the United States.

Learn More About Community Initiatives at Kennedy Krieger Institute