Outreach and Impact of the Center
Important Links
“The Center on Health, Aging, and Disability provides exciting opportunities for our campus to continue its historic leadership in promoting health, personal empowerment, and self-sufficiency for all people, including those with disabilities.”
— Timothy J. Nugent, Founder and Director Emeritus, Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services
Our current system for supporting our demographically changing population is not sustainable. Changes will need to occur in the delivery of services. Community centers will need to adapt their programs for at-risk children and adolescents. Changes in community living options and public transportation will need to accommodate our aging population. There will be a need to focus greater attention on prevention, healthy lifestyle interventions, rehabilitation, housing options, recreation and leisure activities, environmental supports for independence and personal empowerment, and enabling public policies.
We are fortunate to have a unique arrangement at the University of Illinois, where a renowned service unit, the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services, is housed within an academic college. This partnership provides enormous opportunities to integrate research and teaching with practice. Outreach activities such as distance learning and non-degree short courses will be developed to engage and inform the public and public policy agencies on critical societal issues related to health, aging, and disability.
The Center on Health, Aging and Disability serves as a catalyst around which discoveries can be made, critical societal issues are addressed, and exemplary educational and outreach opportunities are provided.
