National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

October is National #Disability Employment Awareness Month #NDEAM, a time to recognize the contributions of people with #disabilities in workplaces and communities across the country. But these stories matter all year long.

Want to share YOUR story? submit here: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Tarenne from KY works at Luna’s Coffee, Wine, & Butterfly Cafe, where she has found opportunity & purpose.

“I have made a lot of friends since I have the opportunity to work in a public space. My bosses say that I do a great job!” We’ll cheers to that Tarenne!

Story gallery: bit.ly/WereHereAllY...

#DisabilityRights and inclusion aren’t just about one month — they’re about making sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive, every day of the year.

Want to share YOUR story, submit here: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Thank you to Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council #PADDC for helping gather stories!

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month #NDEAM a time to recognize the contributions of people w/ #disabilities in workplaces & communities across the country.

A smiling woman puts on a bright yellow mascot costume headpiece as she stands in front of a colorful painted wall

Let’s give high fives to Donna from Pennsylvania, she gets to spread joy as Rufus, the mascot for Roll ‘R’ Way!

“I love my job and it is a lot of fun. I get to high five, fist bump, wave, wiggle my tail aka dance.”

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

Better healthcare, mental health, & school experiences are on the way for people with I/DD in Alabama thanks to the #Alabama Council on Developmental #Disabilities & partners.

Learn about the programs ACDD is implementing to level up support for the I/DD community: nacdd.org/nacdd-insigh...

Meet Kent from Louisiana! He's a bit of a superstar these days, having been featured on the huge jumbotron screen in Times Square AND in the National Down Syndrome Society “Faces of Times Square 2025” calendar as the star of September!

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

We urge public leaders, institutions, and media to uphold scientific integrity, disseminate accurate public health information, and work together to strengthen—not weaken—the infrastructure of support for the entire autism community.

Read the full joint statement ⬇️

🔗 nacdd.org/leading-auti...

We call on policymakers to collaborate with autistic individuals, families, researchers, clinicians, and disability organizations to ensure that policy is grounded in science and responsive to community needs.

Read the full joint statement ⬇️

🔗 nacdd.org/leading-auti...

Autistic people deserve respect and support. There are many policy and program changes HHS could pursue that would materially improve the lives of autistic people and our families. Avenues to provide suggestions have been limited.

Read the full joint statement ⬇️

🔗 nacdd.org/leading-auti...

Science matters. Compassion matters. The autism community deserves both.

22 leading disability organizations—including NACDD—are calling for decisions rooted in credible science and human dignity, not fear or misinformation.

Read the full joint statement ⬇️

🔗 nacdd.org/leading-auti...

Read more about building confidence and community this school year in a blog post from NACDD intern Bryan Dooley. Don't miss the helpful checklists linked at the end!

bit.ly/4nlqhHH

#disability #disabilityadvocate #disabilityadvocacy #disabilityresource

For students with #disabilities, along with families and caregivers, the start of a new school year can be challenging. But with preparation, advocacy, and community, this year can be one of growth, confidence, and connection.

bit.ly/4nlqhHH

The LIFE Program helps young adults to develop independence, build friendships & prepare for meaningful employment. Peer mentorship, hands-on learning & community involvement let students thrive in environments that value their strengths

More We're Here All Year stories here: bit.ly/WereHereAllY...

This week we're highlighting the Learning Independence for Future Employment (LIFE) Program at Sierra College in California!

Actively engaged in campus life, attending classes, working on career skills, & participating in student events, LIFE students are integral members of the college community.

URGENT: Deadline for public comments is TODAY, Wednesday 9/17!

nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/140...

Voice your support for Section 503 rules and help protect #disability job rights!

Section 503 helps people w/ #disabilities get jobs. A new proposal from the federal government would erase these rules.

URGENT: Deadline for public comments is TODAY, Wednesday 9/17!

nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/140...

Voice your support for Section 503 rules and help protect #disability job rights!

Section 503 helps people w/ #disabilities get jobs. A new proposal from the federal government would erase these rules.

Young man and woman standing in front of capitol hill in washington dc. Carrying ADA Stories Into Congress: My Experience as a NACDD Intern. On August 11, NACDD interns Jack Neblo and Tabia Lee walked the halls of Congress with to deliver something truly meaningful: the voices of people with disabilities from across the country. Lee writes, “These weren’t just papers in a folder. They were lived experiences, collected by NACDD and our partners in the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), honoring the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

NACDD intern Tabia Lee recently wrote about her experience delivering personal letters to Congress on behalf of people with #disabilities across the USA

Read Tabia & other featured advocates blog posts in the #ADA 35th Anniversary Story Collection

nacdd.org/carrying-ada... #disability #advocacy

This week meet Tatum from Washington. She is volunteering in order to gain experience, and hopes to work at a coffee shop one day!

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

#disabilityawareness

Speak Up Now: Protect Disability Access Rights! Deadline to submit public comment is June 16th!

Urgent-Deadline to act is TODAY Sept 2!

The Department of Labor wants to roll back job protections. That means home care workers could lose minimum wage and overtime pay, and people with disabilities could lose the critical care they depend on.

Make your voice heard
nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/137...

Urgent: Deadline to act is TODAY, Sept 2!

Help us protect home care workers and people with disabilities’ access to care.

Make your voice heard here: nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/137...

Act now before midnight TODAY to help stop these harmful changes! Submit your comment using the link below.

The August edition of NACDD's Insight is available! Swipe through to see a preview of what we're talking about this month.

Read the full stories here: nacdd.org/nacdd-insigh...

If you have ideas and stories you want to share about your DD Council and community, send them at media@nacdd.org.

This week meet Sebastian, a recent high school graduate from Oregon. His mom AnneMarie shared some of his story along with their family's autism awareness journey.

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

#disability #disabilityawareness

Protect home care workers rights & people with developmental disabilities access to critical care!

The DOL wants to eliminate minimum wage & overtime pay for home care workers

ACT NOW! nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/137... Leave a public comment on how proposed changes harm access to the care YOU need!

A megaphone announcing "protect programs that support the disability community" from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

The 2026 budget could take away important #DisabilityPrograms

People with #disabilities could lose jobs, homes & independence

Tell Congress: #ProtectOurPrograms

No cuts. No mergers. Fully fund them all.

nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/134...

#disabled #disabilityawareness #disability #disabilityrights

This week, meet Erin and the I2 Choir from Nebraska! I2 is an interability and intergenerational musical group that has been performing together for more than a decade!

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

#disability #disabilityawareness

A megaphone announcing "protect programs that support the disability community" from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

Congress wants to cut/merge #DisabilityPrograms

People could lose tools & services they need to live, work, & be part of their community

Tell Congress: No cuts. No mergers. Fully fund every program.

Speak up: nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/134...

#ProtectOurPrograms #disability #disabled #disabilities

A black woman with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair, smiling and wearing a blue shirt that says "people first of mo". Standing beside her is a white woman in glasses, wearing the same shirt. They are pictured outside Senator Mike Cierpiot's office in the 8th District in Jackson County, Missouri.

This week meet Shacara from Missouri! She is determined not to let her limitations stop her from following her dreams, and works hard to be a voice for not only herself but others as well.

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

#disability #disabilityawareness

A megaphone announcing "protect programs that support the disability community" from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

Congress wants to cut #disability programs

People will lose support needed to live, work, & stay with family

Tell Congress: Fully fund all #DisabilityPrograms

Your voice is powerful. Speak up now.
nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/134...

#disabled #disabilities #DisabilityAwareness #ProtectOurPrograms

Pictured:
Kirsten Murphy - Board Chair of #NACDD and Executive Director of the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council #VTDDC
Raquel Quezada - Board Chair of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council #MDDC

#ddawareness #iddawareness #disabilityadvocacy #disability