Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities

06/26/2026

As Dr. Joseph Piven steps down as the director of the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, we honor his legacy and indelible impact on the field.

A Legacy of Innovation: Honoring Dr. Joseph Piven June 9, 2026 By Keath Low Dr. Joseph Piven In the landscape of neurodevelopmental disorders research, few figures cast as bright a shadow as Dr. Joseph Piven, the founding director of the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) at UN...

04/14/2026

Opening campus doors and turning college dreams into real life possibilities. HEELS 2 Transition offers a range of skills-based programs that support young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build self-determined and independent lives.

HEELS 2 Transition, based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience an inclusive and meaningful college life. Through tailored programmes, participants learn everyday skills, build confidence, and become more in...

04/03/2026

CIDD Disability Advocate and NCCDD council member Kenneth Kelty hosts a podcast, Exceeding Expectations with Kenneth Kelty. The most recent episode featured NCCDD council member Senator Jim Burgin and NCCDD Executive Director Talley Wells. Together, they discuss the current state of disability policy going on in the state of North Carolina.

Listen to the episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/54ZS3QqXNx7fvUvgBlg4y7?si=x5wKvqD2Rk-UY1mmnsve6g&nd=1&dlsi=3b503791d5a44844&emci=e73368ff-c42e-f111-9a48-000d3a14b640&emdi=ba524f56-ca2e-f111-9a48-000d3a14b640&ceid=4927062

Exceeding Expectations with Kenneth Kelty · Episode

03/25/2026

Join us for the next CIDD Community Talk Webinar
Wednesday, April 8 @ 12:00 Noon
HOPE NC: Creating Inclusive Housing Options for Adults with I/DD
Laura Wells, MSW, Executive Director
Lauren Winfrey, MSW, Program Manager
This presentation will introduce the history of HOPE NC, how we came to be, and the vision that guides our work. We will share an overview of our three inclusive communities in the Triangle, explain our Community Facilitator model, and highlight how our advocacy efforts support broader systems change across North Carolina.
This talk will be Live Spanish Interpreted.
Register in advance for this and all the Community Talk Series meeting:

Talks on resources, research and experiences presented for the IDD Community by the UNC Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities.

02/09/2026

CIDD Community Talk Webinar - Wednesday, February 11 @ 12:00 Noon

Work Together NC, and Accessible Tools for Successful Employment Opportunities
Jacklyn Boheler, Project Coordinator WTNC

Work Together NC advances inclusive employment for people with IDD.
In this webinar you will learn about WTNC’s Employment Action Plan, Toolkit, and Inclusive Employer Alliance—practical resources that support job seekers and inclusive workplaces.

Register in advance for this and all the Community Talk Series meeting:

Talks on resources, research and experiences presented for the IDD Community by the UNC Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities.

02/09/2026

Hope Community is committed to creating inclusive communities where people of all abilities and ages experience a sense of belonging. Currently, they are accepting applications for their newest, inclusive living community in Chapel Hill, NC.
For more information, please click on images below.

01/27/2026

We are excited to announce our Summer 2026 HEELS 2 Transition applications are OPEN! We offer 3 different programs, including HEELS Prep, UP, and Week Away. The flyer below includes detailed information about each program. Please see below for program dates and application links.

HEELS Prep - June 15th - July 10th, 2026. Family Orientation on Saturday, June 6th. No class July 2nd-3rd due to the holiday.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority deadline is February 20th at 11:59pm. Apply for HEELS Prep HERE: https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCNnBepwWyGgRCu

HEELS UP - UNC Summer Session II from June 22nd - July 23rd, 2026. Student Orientation will be held the week of June 15th.
Applications for the summer session are due March 6th at 11:59pm. Apply for HEELS UP HERE: https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Yyyaly82WVAu5U

HEELS Week Away - May 27th - June 2nd, 2026
The Week Away overnight program is offered to HEELS Prep and UP alumni only. Applications must be submitted by February 20th to secure your spot in the dorm. Alumni may apply for HEELS Week Away HERE: https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_77jDeBoypTbrqJ0

Any questions may be directed to our email address at [email protected].

12/17/2025

We are excited to share the dates for our 2026 HEELS 2 Transition Programs, including HEELS Prep, HEELS UP, and HEELS Week Away. These strengths-based programs are designed for young adults ages 18–26 who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Summer 2026 Program Dates:
HEELS Week Away:
• May 27 – June 2, 2026
• Eligibility: Open only to alumni of HEELS Prep or HEELS UP
HEELS Prep:
• June 15 – July 10, 2026
• Family Orientation: Saturday, June 6, 2026
HEELS UP – Summer Session II:
• June 22 – July 23, 2026
• Student Orientation: Week of June 15, 2026
HEELS UP – Academic Year Program:
• August 2026 – May 2027
• Applications: Currently open and due January 6, 2026

Click on flyer below for additional details and visit our website at: https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/outreach/heels2transition/. Applications for summer programs will be released on website in January 2026 and are due by February 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Any questions may be directed to [email protected].

12/03/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Diana Cejas, Associate Professor of Neurology and Dual appointment with the CIDD, who was honored with the 2025 AMWA Inspire Award by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)!

Celebrating 47 women physicians recognized for inspiring others to impact the culture of medicine. The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 AMWA […]

12/03/2025

In honor of International Day of People with Disabilities Exceeding Expectations with Kenneth Kelty is bringing back one of the his podcast's earliest episodes from 2021 with Lia McNeilly and her daughter Neave talking about being brought up with a disability in Northern Ireland.

In this episode, Kenneth interviews Lia and Neave McNeilly who are mother and daughter about what it is like to live with a disability in Northern Ireland, compared to the US.