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Kuni Foundation Awards IHDD $240,000 Grant for IDD Data Platform

Image: Kuni Foundation logo.The UW IHDD has been awarded a $240,000 grant from the Kuni Foundation to support the development of a groundbreaking data platform for children and young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

The project will focus on building a clinician-centered data resource to enhance clinical outcomes, improve health care equity, and minimize disparities in access to screenings, diagnosis, and therapies for individuals with IDD. By leveraging existing data from IHDD clinics, the platform will integrate advanced machine learning and AI tools to curate and analyze data. The aim is to provide actionable insights for clinicians and researchers addressing critical gaps in understanding IDD diagnoses, risk factors, and outcomes.

The initiative is led by Dr. Sandra Juul, Director of the UW IHDD, and Dr. Kari Stephens, a UW professor and expert in biomedical informatics and data sharing. The team includes interdisciplinary researchers, software engineers, and biostatisticians working collaboratively to ensure the platform meets clinical and research needs effectively.

Initial planning meetings for the project launch are scheduled for January 2025, with development focusing on structured community engagement, iterative design cycles, and deployment of a user-friendly dashboard for clinicians and researchers.

The Kuni Foundation is committed to fostering innovation and advancing health care for underserved communities. This grant reflects the foundation’s dedication to supporting initiatives that address health care disparities and promote research that improves outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Learn more about their work on the Kuni Foundation website.

The IHDD extends its gratitude to the Kuni Foundation for their generous support and commitment to advancing research and care for individuals with IDD.

Photo: Researcher putting on a EEG Sensor Net on a young child's head for brain imaging.