RIDDC

12/03/2025

The top five issues that surfaced during the 2025 Newport Housing Summit were:

1. Build Awareness – Identified as the highest priority, indicating a strong need for increased public understanding and engagement.
2. Funding – Recognized as a key requirement to support initiatives and ensure long-term sustainability.
3. Capacity – Highlighted as an essential factor affecting the ability to implement and manage programs effectively.
4. Subsidies – Noted as an important mechanism to support adoption and reduce financial barriers.
5. NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) – Acknowledged as a significant challenge related to community acceptance and local opposition.

You can read more about it here: https://riddc.org/regional-housing-summit-at-ccri-newport-highlights-urgency-innovation-and-community-resolve/

11/30/2025

We’re so happy for our 150+ small business owners and 3000+ shoppers who joined us at the Crowne Plaza yesterday. Supporting the local economy-and our neighbors and friends- was great fun.

A wide variety of local small businesses gathered at Crowne Plaza in Warwick for Small Business Saturday.According to officials, 150 Rhode Island businesses,...

11/19/2025

We can't wait for this year's Small Business Saturday Shop RI event on November 29 from 9-3:30 at the Crowne Plaza Warwick!

11/18/2025

We're in the final countdown! It's the one and only Small Business Saturday Shop RI 1Day Pop-up Mall event! There's something for everyone. Great gifts for the holidays and more. And...you'll help to support our local small businesses.

11/17/2025

Earlier this year, RIDDC won the Citizens Champions in Action award. For the latest information about our involvement with Citizens and their programming, check out our most recent blog.

https://riddc.org/empowering-diverse-abilities-riddc-entrepreneurs-shine-in-citizens-banks-national-day-of-service/

10/08/2025

Rhode Island has passed the Purple Alert Bill. Similar to an Amber or Silver Alert, it notifies the public to help quickly locate a missing adult with developmental disabilities.

You can read more here: https://riddc.org/rhode-island-passes-purple-alert-law-to-protect-adults-with-disabilities/

09/25/2025

Check out the highlights of last night's RIDDC quarterly meeting...or see what you missed.https://riddc.org/riddc-quarterly-meeting-highlights-innovative-peer-supports-program/

09/25/2025

Our Executive Director Kevin Nerney was the special guest on Law Matters, with attorney David Bazar and host Deb Morais. They discussed the critical tools families can use to protect the financial security and public benefits of loved ones with disabilities.

The episode covers:

- The role of Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) in preserving benefits while providing for supplemental needs.
- The differences between SSDI and SSI and how asset rules affect eligibility.
- The distinctions between First-Party, Third-Party, and Pooled Trusts, and when each may be appropriate.
- How the SECURE Act affects retirement accounts and how planning with an SNT can preserve tax advantages.
- The growing importance of ABLE Accounts as a flexible, tax-advantaged savings tool for people with disabilities.

Whether you’re a parent planning for a child’s future, an individual with a disability navigating benefits, or a professional advising families, this episode provides clear guidance on complex but vital planning strategies.

You can watch the full episode here:

09/16/2025

Read the follow-up story on the Citizens' 2025 Champion in Action Award in Providence Business News here:

KEVIN NERNEY is the executive director of the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council, a Warwick-based disabilities and support services nonprofit that was recently named Citizens Bank N.A.’s 2025 Champion in Action. The council was recognized for its work in building career pathways for i...

09/10/2025

Stay tuned! Our executive director, Kevin Nerney, will be on an episode of "The Law Matters" in the discussion about Special Needs Trusts and the value of Able accounts. We'll post as soon as the episode is available.

07/25/2025

A heartfelt thank you!!! The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC), and its Self-Employment Business Incubator are proud to be the selected recipient of a $50,000 grant from Citizens through their Champions in Action program, in conjunction with NBC 10 WJAR . The unrestricted funding, volunteer and promotional support will enable us to provide direct mini-grants to entrepreneurs with disabilities to support the start-up and growth of their small businesses, create and launch an elevator pitch contest, track and share data on the economic contributions of entrepreneurs with disabilities through a public infographic, and support essential staffing and administrative needs - all to help build a more inclusive workforce and improve the financial futures of people with disabilities across Rhode Island, creating meaningful change for the individuals and communities we serve We’re thrilled to continue working together to create positive change!

Watch for more highlights of the event- coming soon!

07/08/2025

Happy to share the news - there's a party, and you're invited.

Don't forget. There's a party. Saturday, July 12, 6-9pm.