The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is the federal agency responsible for implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. ADD is part of the Administration for Children and Families within the US Department of Health and Human Services and administers the core funding each UCEDD receives.

The term developmental disability means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:

1. is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
   
2. is manifested before the individual attains age 22;
   
3. is likely to continue indefinitely;
   
4. results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, or economic self-sufficiency; and
   
5. reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

Other Disabilities
UCEDDS also work with a variety of other populations with significant, life-long disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, mental illnesses, and sensory or physical disabilities.

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