National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

Learn more about Council impact across the nation on our website here: nacdd.org/were-here-al...

DD Councils: We’re Here All Year — for you.

Did you know?

A majority of DD council members (60%) are individuals with developmental #disabilities or family members. This is required by federal law to ensure the work stays grounded in real needs.

Click play for more interesting #DDCouncil facts!

#Disability #DisabilityAwareness #DDAdvocacy

Impact SC program participant photos and impact statements form a collage.

2/ Featured initiatives:
- IMPACT SC: Helps people learn to lead and reach personal goals.
- Equip: Helps young adults learn to live on their own.
- Helping people meet with leaders to talk about the help they need.

Learn more on our website: nacdd.org/were-here-al...

#WereHereAllYear

Councils in Action: The South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council (SCDDC) is helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) lead change in their communities through leadership training and youth-focused self-advocacy.

1/ The #SouthCarolina Developmental Disabilities Council #SCDDC helps people with intellectual & developmental #disabilities (I/DD) lead change in their communities through leadership training and youth-focused self-advocacy.

DD Councils: We're Here, All Year — For You!

#SCDDCouncil #SCDisability

NACDD's Bridging aging and disability network impact in Michigan.

Developed new ways to teach workers at state agencies and Native American groups. Reviewed all state plans to find where services for disabilities and aging can match up. Started a program to help people learn how to pick the help they need. Made a phone app to help families plan for the future.

The Bridging Aging & #Disabilities Network #BADN project in #Michigan is helping older people with disabilities live on their own w/ support

Learn more about Michigan's work: nacdd.org/state-profil...

Read about all of the BADN state programs and their impact here: nacdd.org/bridging-and...

NACDD's Bridging Aging and Disability Network Impact in Connecticut.

Talked with people in the community to find rules that make it hard to get help. Held an event called "Connections!" for groups that help older people and people with disabilities. Shared new tools that help people make their own choices and plans.

The Bridging Aging & #Disabilities Network #BADN project in #Connecticut is helping older people with disabilities stay independent w/ support

Learn more about Connecticut's work: nacdd.org/state-profil...

Read about all of the BADN state programs and their impact here: nacdd.org/bridging-and...

We’re Here All Year: DD Council Impact Every state has a developmental disabilities council (DD Council) and these organizations receive federal funding to support policy change and programs that promote self-determination, integration,…

2/ Featured projects:
- Improving Access to Healthcare through Assistive Technology (AT) Education
- The Arc of Central Alabama’s Psychology Internship Program
- The Sensory Inclusion Certification and Training Partnership

Visit our State Council Impact page to learn more: nacdd.org/were-here-al...

Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) is working with KultureCity on a school-based project called “The Sensory Inclusion Certification and Training Partnership.” This program will train teachers and school staff across Alabama to better support students who are sensitive to sounds, lights, or other sensory input. The training will help schools create calmer, more inclusive classrooms so that all students, including those who are neurodivergent, can learn and feel comfortable.

1/ #Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities #ACDD is helping people with intellectual and developmental #disabilities (I/DD) live healthier, happier, and more supported lives by improving healthcare, mental health support, and school environments.

DD Councils: We're Here, All Year — For You!

Created and tested a way to help families during emergencies like storms. Made "Social Stories" to help people feel safe after a bad event. Put help for disabilities into the state's plan for citizens that are getting older. Worked with state emergency teams to make sure workers are trained to help.

The Bridging Aging and #Disabilities Network (#BADN) project in Texas is helping older people with disabilities stay independent with support.

Learn more about Texas’s work here: nacdd.org/state-profil...

Read about all of the BADN state programs and their impact here: nacdd.org/bridging-and...

Did you know? Council facts from NACDD. We're Here All Year: DD Council Edition.

When people with developmental disabilities (DD) work in traditional workplaces, it’s called competitive employment. DD Councils helped grow these kinds of jobs 17% from 2011 to 2018, and getting good jobs is still a very important goal to all of the Councils.

2.8 million people who know what it’s like to live with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) participate in State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council activities. 53,570 of those are participating in advocacy, which means they are speaking up to create change.

1,232 policies, procedures, statutes, and regulations were created or changed by State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council efforts in just one year alone. That means they succeeded in changing a lot of important rules! 53,570 of those are participating in advocacy, which means they are speaking up to create change.

Did you know?

A majority of DD council members (60%) are individuals with developmental #disabilities or family members. This is required by federal law to make sure the work stays focused on real needs.

Swipe through for more interesting Council facts!

DD Councils: We’re Here All Year — for you

60% or more of each State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council must be people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) or their close family members. Councils believe that those who know what it’s like (those with lived experience) should always be included when finding solutions.

DD Councils work to get rid of things that stop people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) from being involved, and help them be a bigger part of their community. Their work also involves teaching the public that including people with I/DD has a positive social and economic impact on communities. Including people with I/DD is good for everyone!

In 1977, 84% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) lived in big, hospital-like places called institutions. Now, it’s less than 8% — mostly thanks to the work of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Councils and their partners. That's a huge change!

Did you know?

A majority of DD council members (60%) are individuals with developmental #disabilities or family members. This is required by federal law to make sure the work stays focused on real needs.

Swipe through for more interesting Council facts!

DD Councils: We’re Here All Year — for you

- Trained Future Planning Navigators - Adapted DC-specific future planning tools - Supported caregivers through trainings and conversations - Brought aging and disability professionals together through screenings, panels, and networking

2/ So far, they've:

- Trained Future Planning Navigators
- Adapted DC-specific future planning tools
- Supported #caregivers through trainings and conversations
- Brought aging and #disability professionals together through screenings, panels, and networking

Learn more: nacdd.org/bridging-and...

A map of the united states labeled NACDD's Bridging Aging and Disability Network Impact in Washington DC

1/ Project Impact Highlight: Washington, DC

The Bridging and Aging Disabilities Network #BADN project in Washington, DC is helping people with #disabilities age with independence, dignity, and strong support.

Learn more about BADN and projects across the country: nacdd.org/bridging-and...

Justice In Aging will also be sharing their new toolkit for #disability advocates

January 14, 4 – 5 PM ET on Zoom

We will provide closed captions on Zoom. If you need other help to join (like a sign language interpreter), please tell us when you register.

Register:
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#Disability Community Webinar: Advocate's Toolkit for Broad #MedicaidExemption Implementation

Learn how to protect #Medicaid from new federal budget cuts, and how states can keep #HCBS running and make sure people with disabilities don’t lose their health insurance

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

New Medicaid community engagement rules in federal law could seriously harm people who are medically fragile, even though the law says they should be exempt. Experts from Justice In Aging will share a new toolkit to help advocates speak up now and throughout the rollout of these rules. The goal is to make sure states put safeguards in place to prevent people from losing coverage. Zoom captioning is available for this event. If you require other accommodations to participate, please detail them in your registration. We will have the most success fulfilling your accommodation requests if they are submitted by January 7th.

Community Webinar Alert!

Topic: An Advocate's Toolkit for Broad #Medicaid Exemption Implementation

Date: Wednesday, January 14
Time: 4 - 5pm ET

Free to attend; registration required

Link to register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#disability #disabilityadvocate #selfadvocate #nacdd #disabled

Bridging and Aging Disability Network In Fiscal Year 2022, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) was awarded a five-year cooperative agreement made available by the Administration for Community Living…

4/For 5 years, NACDD has led #BADN across the US. 17 states have worked to bridge services & collaborate across agencies that serve people with #disabilities & Older Americans to enhance independence & opportunities for the disability & aging communities.

Learn more: nacdd.org/bridging-and...

Illinois The data below provides a snapshot of the state’s population of people with I/DD and older Americans, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waitlists, and the collective impact of the BADN…

3/ The results so far (projects ongoing):
- 55 responses from providers of DD services
- 59 responses from the aging network
- 12 responses from providers of both aging and #disability services, and 5 other entities
- 125 responses from caregivers

Read about the work: nacdd.org/state-profil...

Goals: Understand challenges and improve coordination. Focus areas: case management, service referrals, information referrals (across aging and DD systems).

2/ Goal: Seamlessly connect individuals w/ intellectual & developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are aging, & aging caregivers, to needed services.

The initial work included surveying the aging and disability population and the support community (family members, providers, etc). Results in next post

NACDD's Bridging Aging and Disability Network Impact in Illinois.

1/ Project Impact Highlight: Illinois

Read about work the #Illinois State Alliance Team (SAT) is doing: nacdd.org/state-profil...

The Bridging and Aging #Disabilities Network #BADN project in Illinois focuses on understanding challenges and improving coordination in Case Management & referrals

A smiling woman stands in front of the train station at Disneyland. Her nametag reads Emma and she is an obvious Disney fan! She has on Disney themed clothes, accessories, and a mouse-ears headband.

Meet Emma from #Texas!

On her YouTube channel “Talking Mickey Project” everyone is welcome - regardless of their abilities - to share in #Disney Fandom!

Read more We're Here All Year stories in our gallery: nacdd.org/2025-dd-awar...

#disabilities #disability #disabilityawareness #WereHereAllYear

Why do DD Councils Matter? Developmental disabilities (DD) Councils help make sure people with disabilities have a voice in everyday issues that impact them locally and across the state. They work so everyone can live, work, and take part in their community. They support ideas like living at home, having a job in a competitive, integrated environment, being able to go to school, being treated fairly, and being represented when big decisions are made.

Where did DD Councils Come From? Developmental disabilities (DD) Councils were created by a federal law called the Developmental Disabilities Act (DD Act). This law says every state and territory must have a council. The goal is to protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities and help them live full lives in their communities. This work has been going on for more than 50 years.

How do DD Councils Help Their State? Driven by their Five Year State Plans, developmental disabilities (DD) Councils launch and fund new ideas to solve problems that impact the disability community and create systems change. These can be training programs, creating toolkits, launching new programs, or bringing groups together to work on a shared goal. They also help people with disabilities and their families become leaders and speak up for themselves. Councils also educate and inform key decision makers and lawmakers to show what needs to change.

How You Can Get Involved The best way to get involved is to apply to become a Council member! Councils are required by law to have 60% of their membership be people with disabilities and their family members. Aside from applying to be a member, people can attend Council meetings, share ideas, and take part in council projects. Many councils also have newsletters, public forums, advocacy events, and social media pages where people can learn more and get engaged.

Swipe & learn all about what DD Councils are, what they do, how they work, & (most importantly) how YOU can get involved!

Visit the #WereHereAllYear gallery for personal stories from people with developmental #disabilities from across the nation.

Gallery link: nacdd.org/2025-dd-awar...

We're Here All Year DD Council Edition from NACDD

What is a DD Council? A State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council is a group of people who work to make life better for people with DD. Every state and territory in the United States has a council. These councils listen to people with DD and their families. They help make plans, support new ideas, and guide leaders in the state.

What does a DD Council do? A developmental disabilities (DD) Council brings people together to look at problems across the state and find ways to fix them. The Council works with people with DD, family members, lawmakers, decision makers, service providers, and community leaders. They look at what is working and what is not working. Then they help create projects or programs that make the community better and more fair for people with DD and their families.

Who is on a DD Council? Every developmental disabilities (DD) Council is made up of people with DD and their family members, who are appointed by the Governor of their state. Also, people who work in disability services, lawmakers, and other stakeholders are a part of the Council. 60% of members are people with disabilities or family members. This helps the council understand real needs in the state.

Our 2025 theme, #WereHereAllYear emphasizes that community, accessibility & opportunities for people with developmental #disabilities should be recognized & championed

Developmental Disabilities Councils (often called DD Councils) work to support those ideals every day, in many different ways.

NACDD National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Community Webinar Series. States' Management of Medicaid Home Care Spending Ahead of H.R.1 Effects. Seats for this event are limited; register today!

#Medicaid Webinar Alert!
12/17 4-5pm ET
Must register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

A look at Medicaid changes from the 2025 reconciliation law #HR1

@kff.org a non-partisan info org, will present their report "States' Management of Medicaid Home Care Spending Ahead of HR1 Effects"

Please note: Zoom captioning is available for this event. If you require other accommodations to participate, please detail them in your registration. We will have the most success fulfilling your accommodation requests if they are submitted by December 10th.

#Medicaid Webinar Alert!
12/17 4-5pm ET
Must register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

A look at Medicaid changes from the 2025 reconciliation law #HR1

@kff.org a non-partisan info org, will present their report "States' Management of Medicaid Home Care Spending Ahead of HR1 Effects"

2025 DD Awareness Month: We Are Here All Year Photo Gallery In March, NACDD asked you to share your stories of your everyday life. We received over 200 photos and 100 stories of moments that capture what it’s like when people with developmental disabilities…

2/ Each week, we share a real story from a person with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) These stories show how people with I/DD live, lead, and speak up in their communities across the U.S.

These are real stories that remind us why disability rights and inclusion matter every day

A senior man in a yellow shirt sits in front of several coloring books. He is holding an orange colored pencil that was selected from a set of pencils on the table. He is preparing to color a page with leaf designs.

1/ Meet Luis from New York!

Luis has been enjoying colors for years; he loves the idea of painting & coloring and also events that involve colors. He also uses art to help him feel calm!

Read more We're Here All Year stories in our gallery: bit.ly/WereHereAllY...

#ddawareness #disabilities #idd

/6 NACDD is showcasing the work of BADN partners and their impact. Partners have developed key resources, promising practices, and more to enhance services, resources, and supports for people with #disabilities and Older Americans.

Learn more here: nacdd.org/bridging-and...

/5 BADN is a Projects of National Significance #PNS funded through grants by the Administration of Community Living #ACL. They focus on big issues affecting people w/ DD and their families, and opportunities for these individuals to contribute to, and participate in, all facets of community life.

/4 For 5 years, NACDD has been leading the BADN project across the country. 17 states have worked to bridge services & collaborate across agencies that serve people with disabilities & Older Americans all to enhance independence & opportunities for the #disability & #aging communities.