University Center for Excellence In Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service
We are on a mission to promote all abilities across the lifespan through interdisciplinary training, research, service, and dissemination.
The Center on Disability Studies (CDS), College of Education, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa is an Organized Research Unit recognized by the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents. Founded in 1987 as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), it is authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act). As one of the 68 UCEDDs, it continues its commitment to support people with disabilities and their families through research, training, and demonstration activities, and disseminating the results of its work to community members, professionals, students, and policymakers.
CDS is a valued partner with state and regional organizations and responds to their needs for technical assistance. CDS designs and offers many training programs; provides community-based demonstrations to build local capacity to improve services to individuals with disabilities; and conducts numerous statewide, national, and international dissemination activities.
Through numerous education and early intervention, employment, and community living projects, the Center on Disability Studies serves thousands of underrepresented people, including those with disabilities and their families, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other underserved people, helping provide them pathways to empowered lives of full participation and access.
CDS Updates
Jan 06 2026
Welcoming Dr. Meghan Miller as Director
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Center on Disability Studies is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Meghan Miller as the new Director of the Center on Disability Studies (CDS) effective January 2, 2026.
Dr. Miller is a licensed clinical psychologist and an internationally recognized expert in studying and understanding the early signs of autism and ADHD. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in neurodevelopmental disabilities research and practice, with a strong background in teaching, training, and mentorship. Her addition to the CDS team will further the CDS’ mission of promoting all abilities across the lifespan through interdisciplinary training, research, service, and dissemination.
Dec 15 2025
Message from UH President Wendy Hensel
University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel was invited as the welcome speaker for the 6th International Disability Inclusion Symposium (IDIS) from Dec 12 – Dec 13, 2025, where she spoke on the efforts to make higher education a more inclusive experience.
IDIS is an annual symposium hosted by CDS in partnership with RCAST, the University of Tokyo and AUN-DPPNet, University of Malaya. For more information, please visit idis-symposium.org.