By The Numbers
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 collaboration.
State Disability Prevalence Date
Est Total State Disability Population (%):
17.8%
Est Total State Disability Population (#):
371,800
Est State Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities (%):
State Waiting Lists for Medicaid HCBS
Number of People with IDD on Medicaid HCBS Waitlist:
0
Number of People with Autism on Medicaid HCBS Waitlist:
N/A
Number of People who are Seniors and/or have Physical Disabilities on Medicaid HCBS Waitlist:
17,709
Total Number of People in State on Medicaid HCBS Waitlist:
17,709
State Aging & Disability Network
Number of Area Agencies on Aging/Aging & Disability Resource Centers:
6
Number of Centers for Independent Living:
3
Number of Developmental Disability Regions:
N/A
CITATION FOR COLUMN 1 DATA: The percentage of non-institutionalized males or females with any disability (all ages; 65+), cognitive disability (all ages; 65+), all races, regardless of ethnicity, across all levels of education in the United States. American Community Survey, 2023. Click here to view the source.
CITATION FOR COLUMN 1 DATA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Developmental Disability, Estimated Prevalence of Developmental Delay, All States, 2021-22. National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network. Click here to view the source.
CITATION FOR COLUMN 2 DATA: Kaiser Family Foundation. “Number of People Waiting for Medicaid Home Care (HCBS), by Target Population and Whether States Screen for Eligibility, 2024”. Click here to view the source.
*Not all state data is available or is N/A
Projects
Goal 1
The New Mexico Strategic Alliance Team (NM-SAT) is developing a proposal for a two-year pilot program to support aging family caregivers and care recipients with ID/DD who live together to navigate the aging and disability systems with the goal of keeping the family unit safe, healthy, and living in the community together for as long as possible.
Goal 2
The proposal is unique as it serves a family unit rather than the caregiver or care recipient separately, and it includes an annual report on how the systems can work together better. It recognizes the unique situation of individuals with ID/DD living longer and the need that arises when more people in the United States will be turning 65 than ever before in our history.
Highlights/Milestones Achieved
- Research and presentations from programs in other states
- A caregiver/ care recipient focus group discussion
- First draft of concept paper written
For the first two years, the SAT focused on educating the public about supported decision making, alternatives to guardianship, and decision-making supports for New Mexicans who are aging or living with disabilities. Through holding legal clinics and educational forums across the state, and through presentations at conferences and webinars hosted by others. This led to increased awareness of alternatives to guardianship, including supported decision making. In April 2025, supported decision-making was signed into law in New Mexico.
To support the SAT’s work, the NM Developmental Disabilities Council and Disability Rights New Mexico hosted legal clinics and educational forums around the state, and at conferences and webinars hosted by others. 75 New Mexicans who are aging or living with disabilities consulted with attorneys or had documents completed in five legal clinics, including in rural and smaller communities. Over 600 New Mexicans who are aging or living with disabilities received education on alternatives to guardianship through 17 different educational forums, including five hosted by DDC and twelve presentations at conferences, transition fairs, and webinars.
In 2024 and early 2025, the Supported Decision-Making Ambassadors, self-advocates utilizing supported decision-making agreements, gave a total of 10 presentations at conferences, forums, and transition fairs.
In 2025, Supported Decision-Making legislation was passed and signed by the Governor. For the press release and copy of the Supported Decision-Making Act, go to https://www.aging.nm.gov/2025/04/10/governor-signs-supported-decision-making-act/.
Key Resources Developed
State Co-Leads
Alice Liu McCoy
Executive Director
NM Developmental Disabilities Council
Pamela Stafford
SAT Facilitator
NM Developmental Disabilities Council
State Alliance Teams
Scott Doan
Deputy Director
Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD)
Debbie Gonzales
Director
Consumer and Elder Rights Division, Aging and Long-Term Services Department
Damien Garduno-McCue
Legal Administrative Assistant
Senior Citizens Law Office, Inc.
Roberta Farley
Clinical Operations Manager
New Mexico Aging Services
Benita McKerry
Advocate
Native American Disability Law Center