About Udac

Challenge disability. Create opportunity. Cultivate success.

Our Values

Service

We passionately serve individuals, our organization and our community.

Respect

We are committed to honoring individuals, ideas, actions and abilities.

Dedication

We are dedicated to empowering all individuals.

Leadership

We are leaders in providing a framework of possibilities and support.

Excellence

We are responsible, accountable and passionate in pursuit of excellence.

Stewardship

We are financial stewards of our resources; time, treasures and talent.

Celebration

We celebrate growth, accomplishments, and contributions to our community.

Teamwork

We work together in a spirit of cooperation and integrity to achieve success.

A Brief History

Udac has evolved through the years, but the organization has always had one powerful mission – to support individuals with disabilities. We are dedicated to the lifelong education and training of individuals of all abilities.

**Udac is a word and not an acronym. Udac is always spelled capital “U” small “dac.” The word “Udac” represents 50 years of support for differently-abled individuals to advance community inclusion through employment and civic life.  

 

  • Rodney 1

    Present Day

    The pandemic brought many changes. Udac's 14c special-minimum wage program in assembly, mailing and document shredding closed. Navigating the new normal allowed Udac to focus on community inclusion and develop independent employment opportunities more fully. This shift in programming helps advance independence and confidence as individuals stretch to reach new levels of growth.
  • Udac 50 Year Logo

    2019

    2019 marks the 50 Year Anniversary of Udac providing leadership for individuals with disabilities. 

  • Joseph and Nancy Bullyan presenting donation

    2018

    Joseph and Nancy Bullyan committed a $3,000,000 transformational gift to Udac in April which allowed Udac to purchase the former DBU building at 4724 Mike Colalillo Drive.

    In October, we moved into the new space with renewed energy and focus on leading community integration and customized employment.

  • Udac clients harvesting from community gardens

    2000s

    Udac is a thriving organization that continues to build on its experience and is expanding to serve a more diverse population of people with disabilities and other challenges. 

  • Udac client playing games

    1990s

    Udac continued to expand services, allowing clients more choices in employment and activities. This included developing a mailing business, which received national recognition for its innovation in providing employment. Udac became the organization’s legal name.

    Social Entrepreneurship Book

  • Udac Group 1980s

    1980s

    Community integration became more and more popular, and services for people with disabilities began to move outside the confines of buildings and into communities. Udac began offering supported employment,

    in which people with disabilities worked at community sites with the support of a job coach.

  • Old Udac Building

    1970s

    Changes in federal law mandated public education for all children, regardless of the nature of their disability or severity of need. Udac celebrated this change and began focusing more on adults.  Our new name: United Developmental Achievement Center of Duluth, Inc (UDAC).

  • Old Udac Logo

    1969

    United Day Activity Center was incorporated in Duluth as one of the first organizations in the state to offer out-of-home activities for children and adults with disabilities.

Leadership Team

Board of Directors

Members at Large

  • Joel Kolquist, Kolquist, Seitz & Goldman, LLC., Past Board Chair
  • Erin O’Hearn L'Allier, Hanger Clinic
  • JC Welles, Marsh and McLennan Insurance Agency
  • Jenna Warmuth, Vote Solar, Midwest Regional Director
  • William Watson, Northwestern Mutual
  • John Vidmar, Essentia Health, Vice President, Facilities
  • Julie Visger, Flint Group
  • Abhi Devireddy, Essentia Health, Infrastructure Architecture Manager
  • Ronda Bliss, Anoka County Guardian
  • Kim Brody, Kolquist, Seitz & Goldman, LLC.