Disability Types - Intellectual, Cognitive, and Developmental Disabilities

This course equips healthcare professionals with essential knowledge, awareness, and etiquette for providing equitable, person-centered care to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and cognitive disabilities (ID/CDD). Learners will explore best practices, legal frameworks, and assistive technologies to address systemic gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and communication—advancing health outcomes and autonomy for this underserved population.

Target Audience

This course is designed for nurse practitioners, nurses, and other health care professionals who seek improved quality of care for the patients.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Differentiate intellectual, developmental, and cognitive disabilities based on clinical and functional characteristics.
  • Recognize common symptoms and support needs across disability types in diverse care settings.
  • Demonstrate appropriate accommodations and communication strategies tailored to individual needs.
  • Interpret legal and ethical obligations in the care of individuals with disabilities.
  • Access and utilize assistive tools and resources to enhance patient engagement and care delivery.
  • Integrate inclusive practices into individualized care planning and team-based approaches.
  • Evaluate systemic barriers and biases, and formulate strategies to mitigate their impact on equitable care
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
09/24/2025
Course expires: 
09/24/2028
Part of: 
UPMC Disabilities Resources Center Training

Planning Committee:
Matthew S. Berwick, ADAC - Senior Program Manager, Disability Accomidations for Clinical Services, Disabilities Resource Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Course Directors:
Kaitlin A Kerr, RN, MSN - Clinical Educator for Disability Awareness - Disabilities Resources Center at UPMC

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
No planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

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In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.0 contact hours.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
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