IL Council on Developmental Disabilities

03/27/2026

Here is a message from the page of the Administration on Community Living. There are only a few days left in March, which is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. But, as the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities reminds us, DD Awareness isn't just about March, because "We're Here. Then, Now, Always."

In case you missed it, March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Visit the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities for graphics, sample content, and activity ideas. https://nacdd.org/2026-dd-awareness-month-were-here-then-now-always/

03/25/2026

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) and communities across the country continue to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Today, ICDD recognizes ICDD Council Member Nathan Joerndt. A resident of Pontiac, Illinois, Nathan has served on the ICDD Council since 2017. He has worked part-time at the local Walmart for 25 years. Currently, his Walmart Job Title is Self-Check Out Host, (The photo below is of Nathan and a friend at Walmart). When asked about his favorite part of the job, Nathan said, “Meeting new people and helping out associates.”

Nathan also is always ready to help the community. Two years ago, he was part of the statewide effort to raise awareness around legislation that would end subminimum wage for people with disabilities in Illinois. Those efforts led to the signing of Dignity in Pay Legislation in January of 2025. Last year, Nathan sent a letter to his U.S. Representative about the urgent need to protect Medicaid.

Looking beyond the ICDD Council, advocacy and employment, Nathan loves to hang out with family and friends, and he plays the keyboard every day. Someday, he hopes to visit Scotland. “I feel like the music calls to me,” Nathan said, when talking about Scotland.

Thank you so much Nathan for your service and for your advocacy. We wish you all the best and hope that someday you answer the call and make it to Scotland.

"We're Here, Then, Now, Always"

03/23/2026

March 23, 2026 was the 16th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Today, in recognition of the Anniversary, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted an event to bring attention to the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program. ICDD hosted the event in its role as a coalition member of Protect Our Care Illinois. Citizen Action was the lead organizer of the Springfield event and five other events around Illinois.

03/20/2026

On March 20, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Council Member Diane Compton, along with family members, including her daughter Erin Compton, were in Springfield to advocate for HB 5365 and SB 3568, which expand Supported Decision Making & Protections.

This photo includes a large group at the State Capitol in Springfield. The photo includes Illinois Senator Sara Feigenholtz (Sponsor) and members of her staff; Kimberly Mercer-Schleider, the Director of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities; Council Member Diane Compton and members of her family; Tracey Fleming, the Director of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, and commission staff.

03/19/2026

Here is a note from the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities about a Healthcare and Family Services Townhall Meeting on Thursday, March 26.

𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗘𝗩𝗩 (𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) 𝗧𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 - 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥

IL Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is hosting a virtual townhall meeting through Webex on March 26, 2026. The meeting is scheduled 9:00 am to 11:00 am Central Time.
Participants receiving Developmental Disability Waiver funds for Personal Support Worker (PSW) services, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy under the HCBS Waiver in home-based settings are asked to attend this Townhall Meeting.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:

03/18/2026

This March, we continue to celebrate and recognize Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. And, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Awareness reminds us that for the DD Community, “We’re Here, Then, Now, Always.” https://nacdd.org/2026-dd-awareness-month-were-here-then-now-always/

03/16/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – 𝗔𝗯𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) is excited to announce that Abby Schindler (she/her) is joining the ICDD Program & Policy team as the Compliance Program Specialist.

Schindler brings extensive experience in disability research, policy, and systems change. She previously served as a visiting research specialist at the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she also coordinated the Family Support Research and Training Center. Her work has included projects focused on family support policy for families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, lifespan development, and the dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and mental illness.

Recently, Schindler led the development of an online learning management system course on intellectual disability services to support accessible, evidence-informed training for the disability services workforce. She also currently serves on the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee for the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Schindler earned her Master of Science in Disability and Human Development from the University of Illinois Chicago, where she also completed a fellowship in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with minors in sociology and philosophy, from Bethel College. She lives in Lombard, Illinois with her spouse and three children.

ICDD is pleased to welcome Schindler to the team and the Council, which remains committed to leading change in Illinois so all people with developmental disabilities can exercise their right to equal opportunity and freedom.

03/12/2026

This is the Anniversary of the Capitol Crawl. On March 12, 1990, disability advocates in Washington, DC fought for stronger civil rights protections by dropping out of their wheelchairs and mobility devices and crawling up the steps of the United States Capitol. Happy Anniversary. Happy Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.


National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

03/11/2026

In March, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and Councils across the United States and Territories are celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with the 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻, 𝗡𝗼𝘄, 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 campaign. The national campaign recognizes a simple truth: people with developmental disabilities have always been part of our communities — and always will be. The 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 organized the campaign, which runs until February 2027.
***
In the spirit of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) celebrates the leadership and the work of Carl Nave.

Carl is a resident of Decatur, Illinois and is an ICDD Council Member. Carl lives with seven others at a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) and goes five days a week to Macon Resources for services and support. A Medicaid Waiver recipient, in 2025 Carl advocated to protect Medicaid, speaking out and sending letters to his US Representative.

On the weekends, Carl likes to work on the computer, which he uses to write his own story. He also plays the electric guitar. Every other Wednesday, he goes to an event called Heart and Soul, where he plays music and sings songs.

Through the PAES Employment Program, Carl is working hard to find a job. He hopes to find a job stocking shelves.

Carl recognizes some of the barriers that people with disabilities face when seeking employment. That includes attitudinal barriers. “I think some people discard others because of the way they look. I feel very disappointed about that.” Though disappointed, Carl is hopeful. “If people will only see the whole person with a disability, maybe they would not judge a person by their cover.”

Carl is also hopeful about his chances for employment. Talking about his employment program, Carl said, “Each time I meet with them, I am one step closer to having a job in the community.”

Thank you, Carl, and good luck.

Happy Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

03/10/2026

In celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, here is a photo shared from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities page.

This photo is an Image of three people sitting at a counter, holding cups with drinks and smiling for the camera. Text on the image reads: "We’re Here. Then, Now, Always." More text reads: “Roommates Rachel, Ashley and Ruth published their own cookbook called ‘Just a Dollop, which they sell as part of their micro business to advocate for change in Illinois.”

Credit: NACDD/We’re Here All Year
The image also includes the NACDD logo.

Thank you Rachel, Ashley and Ruth. Thank you NACDD.

Happy Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

https://nacdd.org/2026-dd-awareness-month-were-here-then-now-always/

03/09/2026

This post is shared from the page of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.

Webinar Announcement: The Evolving Role of DD Councils in Employment. March 10 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time

"We're Here. Then, Now, Always."

Event Alert: Community Webinar Tomorrow (Tuesday)

Join us on Tuesday, March 10th for a webinar hosted by AoD Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center!

Webinar Title: We’re Here. Then, Now, Always. The Evolving Role of DD Councils in Employment
Webinar Date: March 10, 2026
Webinar Time: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm Eastern Time

During the webinar, you'll hear from the presenters about:
- Exploring the critical role DD Councils play when it comes to employment, from building partnerships to influencing systems.
- Highlighting key state-level initiatives, partnerships, and lessons learned in their work to impact employment outcomes across Nebraska.
- How councils can meaningfully incorporate lived experience into policy and practice.

Presenters:
Jill Jacobs (Executive Director, NACDD)
Kristen Larsen (Executive Director, Nebraska DD Council)
Becki Koehler (Independent Consultant, Nevada)
Bryan Dooley (Community Inclusion Specialist, Solutions for Independence)

Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-X2AYdDETh6TZh8avVtZjg

03/06/2026

The Going Home Coalition is hosting an Eight-Week Legislative Advocacy Series. Each week covers a new topic. The Eighth and Final Session is this coming Monday, March 9 at 10 a.m. The final session covers “How a Bill Becomes a Law.” The session is online over zoom. Registration is required. Register at this link:

Weekly Virtual Series 10:00 - 11:00 AM Presented by: Voter Education and Registration: January 20, 2026 Click here to register. Informed Citizenship: