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 Congress: My Experience as a NACDD Intern
- Stay engaged with the NACDD network!
If you have ideas and stories you want to share about your DD Council and community, send them at media@nacdd.org.
Joint Action Alert: Protect the Programs That Support Our Community
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is asking its community 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 in Developmental Disabilities.,
- Projects of National Significance
- Limb Loss Resource Center
- Paralysis Resource Center
- State Developmental Disabilities Councils
- Protection & Advocacy for Voting Accessibility (PAVA)
- Protection and Advocacy (P&A) for Individual Rights (PAIR)
- Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) and Client Assistance Program
We are united in our call: Congress must fully preserve and fund ALL of these programs as they currently exist. This effort is a joint partnership with The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Amputee Coalition, National Association of Statewide Independent Living Councils (NASILC), and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
DD Council Impact
Alabama Advances Support for People with Developmental Disabilities Through Groundbreaking Initiatives
The Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) is working with several partners to make life better for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Together, they are launching projects that improve healthcare, mental health services, and school experiences for people with IDD across the state.
One project, called “Improving Access to Healthcare through Assistive Technology (AT) Education), is led by ACDD, United Ability, and the Alabama Department of Mental Health. This project will teach healthcare workers and families how to use assistive technology to support people with IDD. The goal is to help more people with IDD get the care they need in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other health settings.
Another project, “The Arc of Central Alabama’s Psychology Internship Program,” is the first of its kind in the state. ACDD and The Arc of Central Alabama are working together to create a training program for psychology students who want to work with people with IDD. This will help increase the number of mental health professionals who understand the unique needs of this community and improve access to care.
ACDD is also 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.
These three projects all have one goal: to make Alabama a more inclusive place for people with developmental disabilities. By improving healthcare, mental health support, and school environments, ACDD is helping people with IDD live healthier, happier, and more supported lives.
Oklahoma DD Council Director named Woman of Integrity by Better Business Bureau
Congratulations to Jenifer Randle, Executive Director of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO), on being named a Woman of Integrity Nominee by the Better Business Bureau Central Oklahoma! Jenifer’s leadership has guided the Council with vision, compassion, and dedication to advancing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families across Oklahoma. Her work continues to shape systems, empower self-advocates, and create a stronger, more inclusive state for all.We are proud to see her honored alongside other inspiring women leaders making a difference in their communities. Congratulations, Jenifer!
Partner News
Calling all DD Councils: Take this short survey from AUCD & Think College!
AUCD and the Think College National Coordinating Center are conducting a survey to
assess DD Councils’ funding support for postsecondary education programs (PSE) for students with intellectual disabilities at institutions of higher education (IHEs).
This survey is part of a nationwide research effort to identify DD Council impact in
advancing PSE for students with ID. The deadline for the survey is September 30, 2025.
NACDD Insights
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).
“What stood out to me is that these weren’t just accounts of challenge—they were testaments to persistence, resilience, and the daily fight for dignity. Delivering them to Congress was never about checking off a task; it was about ensuring lawmakers heard directly from the people most impacted by their decisions.” – Tabia Lee, NACDD intern
The ADA 35th Anniversary Story Collection also featured advocates from the NACDD network, Dielle De Noon, Emmanuel Jenkins, and Kevin Nunez.
Stay engaged with the NACDD network!
Join NACDD’s advocacy network to get the latest advocacy actions and alerts.
If you are receiving this email, you are first in line for our newsletter, events, and information.
