The Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, founded at Rhode Island College in 1993, is a University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service.

Since 1963, University Centers on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) have worked towards a shared vision that individuals with disabilities participate fully in their communities. Independence, productivity, and community inclusion are key components of this vision. There are 67 UCEDDs with at least one in every U.S. state.