Picture of Man Working Interdisciplinary
Training Center

On Gerontology & Developmental Disabilities

The Interdisciplinary Training Center (ITC) on Gerontology
and Developmental Disabilities is a part of the UMKC's Institute for Human Development (IHD), a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCE).

 

The ITC is one of eight projects throughout the country funded by the United States Administration on Developmental Disabilities to address training issues surrounding older individuals with developmental disabilities to address training issues surrounding older individuals with developmental disabilities and the families of those individuals. The primary purpose of the training center is to advance knowledge and train professionals in the area of gerontology and developmental disabilities. The training of professionals occurs both at the pre-service and in-service levels and focuses on best practices which advance the quality of life for older persons with developmental disabilities. In order to accomplish this, the training center has established these objectives:

Objectives of ITC:
  • The development of a core course on aging and developmental disabilities to be taught by faculty from both the Center on Aging and Studies and the UAP.
  • The infusion of knowledge about aging and developmental disabilities into courses taught by allied disciplines through the creation of teaching modules that address issues pertinent to the content areas of the respective targeted disciplines.
  • The development of an interdisciplinary track of courses on aging and developmental disabilities through the creation of an 18-academic-hour certificate on aging and developmental disabilities in conjunction with the Center on Aging Studies.
  • The establishment of a network of field-based experts through the development of a fellowship program in aging and developmental disabilities delivered by occasional seminars as well as an intensive self-instructional program.
  • The provision of in-service training to professionals and paraprofessionals in the field of aging and developmental disabilities and other allied-service areas.
  • The development of exemplary service sites and activities for pre-service and in-service training and research.
  • The provision of technical assistance to service delivery providers, professionals, and administrators in implementing the best practices in the area of aging and developmental disabilities.

The illustration on this page is used with the permission of the artist, Martha Perske of Perske and Associates, Darien, Connecticut 06820.

 

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