Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities

03/19/2026

Join the movement! Celebrate Developmental Disabilities Month with us and raise your voice for a more inclusive future, because every individual deserves to be seen and heard.

03/18/2026

Have your say!

OVR Ordinary Administration Regulation Public Hearing
March 24, 2026 at 11:00 am EST
Mayo-Underwood Building
Mayo Underwood Building Room I33 CE

For more information, contact Brooke McDaniel.
Phone: 502-782-2539
Email: brooke.mcdaniel@ky.gov

03/18/2026

FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS: Webinar Series for Service Providers -
Fair Housing and Disability Rights
Cost: Free.
Two webinars (each 1.5 hours)
• Part 1 of 2: Tuesday - March 17, 2026
Time (1.5 hours):
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. [Eastern] / 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. [Central]
• Part 2 of 2: Tuesday - March 31, 2026
Time (1.5 hours):
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. [Eastern] / 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. [Central]
In This Webinar Series:
This two-part webinar series is designed to help service providers understand Fair Housing Act (FHA) protections and how to support the people they serve.
Speakers from Able South Carolina:
• Dori Tempio, Senior Director of Community Engagement
• Alie Springgate, Director of Advocacy
Registration:
Each webinar has captioning and American Sign Language (ASL).
REGISTER for Webinar Series: Housing and Disability Rights
Web: bit.ly/housing-disability-webinars-register
Credit: Get a Certificate of Participation after you view an entire webinar (live or archive) and complete the Post Test Eval.
Hosts: Able South Carolina, Southeast ADA Center, Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University.

03/18/2026

Happening today! Mental health is so important and often overlooked for people with developmental disabilities.

We are excited to share the upcoming Spring Rooted & Rising learning opportunities!

These sessions are designed to help bridge the gaps in mental healthcare for people with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities in Kentucky's Appalachian Region.

Join us to explore important topics like trauma and mental health, relationships, employment, self-care for caregivers, and more.

All events are one hour and will be held virtually on Zoom or in person from March 18 – June 3, 2026.

Learn more and register:
https://hdi.uky.edu/rooted/

03/18/2026

This is "Autism Informed Employer Episode 3" by HDI Learning on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

03/17/2026

Exceptional Family's newest issue is out!

To read it in English: EF Winter/Spring 2026 English Version: https://issuu.com/lexingtonfamily/docs/exceptional_family_magazine_winter_spring_2026

To read it in Spanish: EF Invierno/Primavera 2026 Version en Espanol: https://issuu.com/lexingtonfamily/docs/exceptional_familia_invierno_primav_ebb16921628e03

03/17/2026

Dr. Jennifer Palilnois is a professor and researcher in the Center for Emerging Media Design & Development at Ball State University. She is conducting a research study examining the extent to which technology-enhanced indoor navigation using an app called GoodMaps affects perceptions of independence and self-determination among individuals with disabilities in various settings, including workplaces, schools, transit settings, shopping centers, cultural/entertainment venues, and healthcare facilities. You are invited to participate in this study.

If you agree, you will participate in the following activities:
• complete a 10-minute or less pre-test survey designed to explore your general use and perceptions of assistive technology as they relate to feelings of independence
• complete a usability test in which you will use the GoodMaps app to receive turn-by-turn instructions to navigate inside the Louisville Mohammed Ali International Airport. This will take about 60 minutes to complete.
• complete a 10-minute post-test survey designed to collect feedback about your perceptions of GoodMaps specifically as it relates to feelings of independence.
• attend a one-on-one zoom interview with the researcher designed to collect your feedback about the GoodMaps app use experience.

In exchange for your participation in this study, you will receive a $100 Tango gift card that can be used at hundreds of major retailers, including Target, Amazon, Walmart, and more.

To qualify for participation in this study, you must be at least 18 years old and have one of the following disabilities: blind, low-vision, deaf, hard of hearing, wheelchair user or other mobility challenges, or neurodiverse.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please email Dr. Palilonis directly at jageorge2@bsu.edu. She will then send you a links to the research consent form and the initial pre-test survey. She will also work with you to set up a convenient day/time for the user experience testing at the airport.

This study is approved by the Ball State University IRB (IRB-FY2525-214).

03/16/2026

CCDD would love your input on the next proposed 5 year plan! Take a minute and let us know your thoughts:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCDDplan

03/16/2026

REGISTER for 4th Thursday ADA Talks
Webinar #3:
ADA Title I: Employment and Hiring

DATE: Thursday - March 26, 2026
TIME (1 hour): 10:00 am – 11:00 am [Eastern]

IN THIS ADA TALK:
Get an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I and what the ADA requires of an employer. Discover examples of reasonable accommodations and hiring initiatives to include people with disabilities.

Speakers from Foundation, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce:
Brandi Hon, Program Manager and Laurie Mays, Senior Program Manager.

REGISTRATION:
Each webinar has captioning and American Sign Language (ASL).
REGISTER for 4th Thursday ADA Talks 2026:
Web: https://bit.ly/4th-thursday-ada-talks-2026

CREDIT:
Get a Certificate of Participation after you view an entire webinar (live or archive) and complete the Post Test Eval.

HOSTS:
University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI), Southeast ADA Center, Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University.

CONTACT:
Southeast ADA Center Webinars
4th Thursday ADA Talks
Email: seadaWebinars@syr.edu
Phone: 404-541-9001
Web: DisabilityWebinars.org

03/16/2026

We have openings on the Council! We would love to have you.

03/16/2026

Seeing Ability dives deep into the complex emotions parents face, validating their experiences and providing strategies to process and cope with guilt, anger, sadness, and fear.

Through the lens of his own personal experience with his daughter Sophia, born prematurely with neurological issues, and the collective wisdom of countless other parents who have navigated this path, Jim Littlefield-Dalmares offers an invaluable roadmap filled with candid storytelling, practical advice, emotional support, and unwavering encouragement.

Every parent is looking for a guidebook. Seeing Ability is just that! Seeing Ability Through the lens of his own personal experience with his daughter Sophia, born prematurely with neurological issues, and the collective wisdom of countless other parents who have navigated this path, Jim offers an ...