The Developmental Disabilities Network Journal issues this urgent call for papers at a pivotal and precarious moment for the disability community in the United States. The proposed elimination of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Protection & Advocacy organizations, and other essential programs like LENDs, and IDDRCs represents an existential threat to the infrastructure that supports individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them. The impact of these proposed cuts would be devastating, unraveling decades of progress in promoting community living, inclusion, and self-determination for people with disabilities.
In the face of this unprecedented challenge, it is imperative that we, as a collective, amplify the evidence-based impact and profound importance of the DD Network. This is why we created the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal!
We are seeking submissions for a Fall 2025 issue that demonstrate the tangible and far-reaching impact of DD Network programs in the following areas:
- Direct Impact on Individuals and Families: Personal stories, narrative accounts, and data-driven examples illustrating how DD Network programs have improved the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
- Systemic Change and Innovation: Contributions that highlight how the DD Network (DD Councils, P&A's, UCEDDs) has driven positive changes within the disability service system, fostered innovative practices, and promoted inclusive policies at local, state, and national levels.
- Workforce Development: Papers that showcase the critical role of LENDs and UCEDDs in training and preparing a qualified workforce to support individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Research and Knowledge Generation: Articles from UCEDDs, LENDs, IDDRCs and other entities that demonstrate the importance of DD Network-affiliated research in advancing our understanding of developmental disabilities and developing effective interventions.
- Policy Advocacy and Systems Navigation: Submissions that illustrate the vital role of DD Councils and P&A's in advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities and assisting them in navigating complex service systems.
- Historical Perspectives: Retrospective analyses that document the evolution and enduring contributions of DD Network programs over time.
- Economic and Societal Benefits: Papers that explore the broader economic and societal advantages of investing in programs that support individuals with developmental disabilities to live full and inclusive lives.
- Policy Briefs and Editorials: Concise and impactful pieces that directly address the current threats and articulate the essential value of the DD Network to policymakers and the wider public.
- Narrative Accounts: First-person perspectives from individuals with disabilities, families, and professionals highlighting the significance of DD Network support.
The time to act is now. Your contributions to the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal will serve as critical evidence and a powerful collective voice demonstrating the indispensable value of the DD Network. We urge you to share your research, your stories, and your insights to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the public about the profound and lasting impact of these vital programs.
Submission Deadline: July 4, 2025
Please submit your manuscripts through our online submission portal here.
For any questions or further information,
please contact the Editorial team at [email protected]
The Developmental Disabilities Network Journal is committed to providing a platform for showcasing the critical contributions of UCEDDs, LEND programs, IDDRCs, DD Councils, and P&A organizations across the nation. Let our collective voices resonate and ensure the continued existence of the Developmental Disabilities Network for generations to come.
Matthew Wappett PhD, Editor in Chief
Alex Schiwal PhD, Managing Editor
DDNJ Editorial Board
The Developmental Disabilities Network Journal is a project of the Utah State University Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (UCEDD).
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