A new school year brings many feelings—excitement for new opportunities, nervousness about changes, and sometimes stress as routines shift. For students with disabilities, along with families and caregivers, these changes can bring extra challenges. But with preparation, advocacy, and community, this year can be one of growth, confidence, and connection. Preparation & Planning Starting strong…
In this issue, read about: Joint Action Alert: Protect the Programs That Support Our Community Alabama Advances Support for People with Developmental Disabilities Through Groundbreaking Initiatives Oklahoma DD Council Director named Woman of Integrity by Better Business Bureau Calling all DD Councils: Take this short survey from AUCD & Think College! Carrying ADA Stories Into…
On August 11, I had the incredible opportunity to walk the halls of Congress with my fellow intern, Jack, to deliver something truly meaningful: the voices of people with disabilities from across the country. These weren’t just papers in a folder. They were lived experiences, collected by NACDD and our partners in the Consortium for…
In a letter to Congress, the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) invited lawmakers to honor the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by learning from the stories of disabled people and committing to actions that will uphold the rights of people with all types of disabilities nationwide. The passage of the ADA…
We need your voice. The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is asking you to call on Congress to fully preserve and fund the vital federal programs that promote independence, belonging and full participation for people with disabilities in every community across the country. These programs include: Independent Living Program The University Centers of Excellence…
Congress has passed, and President Trump signed, a budget reconciliation bill that will make the largest cuts to care in our nation’s history – gutting Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and other critical programs while handing billions in tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and expanding funding for harmful institutions like ICE. This is not politics as usual.…
In this issue, read about: NACDD Launches Photo Gallery of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Nevada DD Council Wins Four Emmy Awards for “Our World in Our Words NACDD Policy Insights Bridging Aging and Disability Networks’ Article Published in Leading Journal NACDD Launches New Apprentice & Intern Program Stay engaged with the NACDD network! If you…
This is the largest cut to Medicaid in the program’s history. Medicaid goes by many names: Medic-Cal in California, SoonerCare in Oklahoma, STAR+PLUS in Texas, and Medical Assistance in many states. An estimated 8.7 million Americans (or 1 in 10 Medicaid enrollees) will lose Medicaid coverage. Other analyses show up to 17 million Americans losing…
On July 7th, the Department of Labor withdrew its proposed rule to phase out 14(c) certificates. This rule had previously completed the public comment process, with disability advocates across the country supporting this decision. With its withdrawal, there is widespread disappointment. What are 14(c) certificates? 14(c) certificates allow employers to pay people with disabilities below…
On Wednesday, June 25th, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions conducted a hearing on the nomination of Susan Monarez, Ph.D., for the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The director of the CDC is an incredibly important position. She influences vaccination schedules, disease research, the direction of departments, and…