Human Development Center

Building Capacity, Inspiring Change

Welcome to HDC

Louisiana's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)

The Human Development Center (HDC) at LSU Health New Orleans provides leadership and innovation in interdisciplinary education, community service, research, and information dissemination to strengthen and increase the capacity of local communities to support and include individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in all aspects of community life. 

 

Learn more about UCEDDs

ACCESSIBILITY REQUEST
 
placeholder

The Human Development Center building on Tulane Ave.

 

How can we help you?

The Human Development Center serves as a resource to people with disabilities, families, service providers, educators, and policy-makers.
Browse all Programs
I am a person with a disability
I am a family member to someone with a disability
I am an educator
I am a graduate student
I am a healthcare or employment professional.
Do you need additional help to fully access our website?

 

Our Services and Programs


 

Early Childhood Initiatives

For educators and families.

 

 

Education and Transition Initiatives

For self-advocates, families, educators, and employment support professionals.

 

Community Health Initiatives

For everyone.

 

Interdisciplinary Programs

For self-advocates, professionals, graduate students, and families.

 

 

5 colorful rings overlapping. Images inside each ring include a person in a wheelchair, two parents holding their adult daughter, an early childhood teacher with two babies, a politician speaking at a podium, and a crowd of people.

Subsribe to the HDC newsletter

Follow along with HDC's programs and stay updated with local events by subscribing to our bi-monthly e-newsletter.

Subscribe here

 

 

HDC NEWS

View More News

2024 In Review

As we reflect on 2024, the Human Development Center (HDC) remains steadfast in our mission to advance inclusion and accessibility for individuals with disabilities and their families across Louisiana. 

Read our annual report at the link below.

Learn more

Louisiana Youth Leadership Forum (LAYLF) is  recruiting staff and delegates for its four-day program this summer from July 10 – 13, 2025

The Louisiana Youth Leadership Forum is a summer camp for 10th-12th graders with disabilities, focused on empowerment, self-determination, and disability pride. LAYLF is hosted on a college campus so delegates can experience what it might be like to live away from home, and 100% of our guest speakers are successful adults with disabilities, providing immediate peer mentorship.

Apply for the Delegate or Staff position here. 

Read more

HDC's Team Member of the Month: Diane Polk


"Diane Polk is one of the great teachers we have in our Early Learning Center. She is kind and nurturing with children and has developed positive relationships with families. In addition to great customer service, she brings a positive outlook and cooperation to the educational team in ELC. Diane continues her professional growth having recently completed her associate's degree and interrater reliability in child assessment.  We appreciate Diane's dependability as a team member and commitment to excellence as a teacher." - Kisha Petty, ELC Director

Read more

 

PROJECT NEWS

 

Early Childhood News
LASARD News
Lousiana DeafBlind Project News

 

 

Contact

Human Development Center
411 S Prieur St
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-556-7500

Follow Us

Developmental Disabilities Network Partners

The Human Development Center partners with the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and Disability Rights Louisiana to create the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network.

Accessibility Commitment

The Human Development Center strives to provide information in the most accessible formats possible. If information is needed in an accessible form (e.g., large print, Braille, video transcript), please complete this request form or contact us at HDCInfo@lsuhsc.edu.