National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities NACDD serves as the national voice of State and Territorial Councils on Developmental Disabilities.

We support Councils in implementing the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and promoting the interests and rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Relationship building is at the heart of effective advocacy!We are resharing this great moment from Senator Andy Kim’s m...
03/30/2026

Relationship building is at the heart of effective advocacy!

We are resharing this great moment from Senator Andy Kim’s meeting with the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) and advocate Kevin Nunez. Seeing these connections in action reminds us why it is so vital for self-advocates to be "in the room."

You don’t have to be at the State House to make an impact. You can start building those connections right from your home. This March, in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we launched a Build Relationships Portal that will be available all year. This new tool was created to help you connect with legislators and policymakers.

Use the portal to easily introduce yourself to:
- Your Mayor & City Council
- State Representatives & Governor
- Federal Senators & Representatives

Start building your relationships here: https://nacdd.quorum.us/DDAM2026/

Coming soon: A national portrait collection! We’ll be inviting individuals and families to share their photo and answer ...
03/30/2026

Coming soon: A national portrait collection!

We’ll be inviting individuals and families to share their photo and answer one question about their future — their “Always.”

Because we’re here.

Then, Now, Always.

Stay tuned.

Project Impact Highlight: Hawai`iThe Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in Hawai`i is helping older ...
03/28/2026

Project Impact Highlight: Hawai`i

The Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in Hawai`i is helping older people with disabilities live with dignity and strong help.

To date, the project has:

- Started a training program for students to learn how to help people with disabilities.
- Made a "Hawai`i Guide" for memory loss and turned it into the Ilocano language.
- Gave out 1,500 magnets to help people find where to call for help.
- Held "Resource Fairs" to bring different help groups together.

Learn more about Hawai`i’s work here: https://nacdd.org/state-profiles/hawaii/

Thank you to these Hawai`i partners for years of teamwork:

Hawai`i State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Executive Office on Aging
Self-Advocacy Advisory Council
Lanakila Pacific
Catholic Charities Hawai`i
Center on Disability Studies (University of Hawai`i at Manoa)
Hawai`i Disability Rights Center
Hawai`i Department of Health's Developmental Disabilities Division

Across the country, BADN now connects 17 states to make services for aging and disabilities work better together. Learn more: https://nacdd.org/bridging-and-aging-disability-network/

Project Impact Highlight: KansasThe Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in Kansas is helping older pe...
03/25/2026

Project Impact Highlight: Kansas

The Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in Kansas is helping older people with disabilities live well with strong support.

The team in Kansas has:

- Worked with groups that care for the very sick to help them learn about disabilities
- Made easy guides for planning the future and health care
- Helped start a new law to make the group of people who help at home stronger
- Worked with women with disabilities to make a health guide for women

Learn more about Kansas’s work here: https://nacdd.org/state-profiles/kansas/

Thanks to the Kansas partners for years of working together:

Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
Advent Health Shawnee Mission
KU Alzheimer’s Clinic
Down Syndrome Innovations
University of Kansas School of Nursing
Johnson County Developmental Supports
Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care

Across the country, BADN now connects 17 states to make services for aging and disabilities work better together. Learn more: https://nacdd.org/bridging-and-aging-disability-network/

Look who stopped by! This week, NACDD staff are holding office hours on Capitol Hill to support state DD Council members...
03/24/2026

Look who stopped by! This week, NACDD staff are holding office hours on Capitol Hill to support state DD Council members meeting with congressional offices. This is an important part of the work of YOUR State DD Councils who educate and inform lawmakers about the issues that matter to the DD community in their states.

Image 1: Today, the NACDD policy team Allan (A4) Dumas, Erin Prangley and Jack Neblo are ready to meet DD Council members as they visit their congressional offices!

Image 2: State Council Executive Directors Paul Jarvis (OH), Jon Meyers (AZ) and Johnathan Taylor (AR) are in Washington DC and ready to meet and share about what matters to the DD community in their states.

Image 3: State developmental disabilities advocates from Nevada and Arkansas join NACDD in Washington DC for a week of congressional meetings.

This , we’re launching a relationship-building effort. People with developmental disabilities, families, and community...
03/22/2026

This , we’re launching a relationship-building effort.

People with developmental disabilities, families, and community members can connect with key decision-makers locally, statewide, and federally.

Your voice matters. Your story matters.

Introduce yourself to your lawmakers here: https://nacdd.quorum.us/DDAM2026/

Project Impact Highlight: CaliforniaThe Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in California is helping ...
03/21/2026

Project Impact Highlight: California

The Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in California is helping older people with disabilities live with dignity and strong support.

So far, the project has:
- Made sure different state groups and organizations use plain language in state plans.
- Started an "Aging & Inclusion" website to keep all helpful info in one place.
- Added questions about getting older to the state’s official planning forms.
- Created a "Word Guide" so that aging and disability groups can understand each other better.

Learn more about California’s work here: https://nacdd.org/state-profiles/california/

Thanks to these partners for their continued continued collaboration:

California Department of Developmental Services
California Department of Aging
California State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA)
California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A)
Disability Rights California
The Arc of California
Alzheimer's Association, Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter
USC Family Caregiver Support Center
Across the country, BADN now connects 17 states to make services for aging and disabilities work better together. Learn more: https://nacdd.org/bridging-and-aging-disability-network/

A map of the United States that reads NACDD's Bridging Aging and Disability Network Impact in California.

NACDD's Executive Director Jill Jacobs recently joined Where the Ramp Ends, a podcast hosted by Summer Parrish and Bryce...
03/20/2026

NACDD's Executive Director Jill Jacobs recently joined Where the Ramp Ends, a podcast hosted by Summer Parrish and Bryce Wooten.

During this episode, they discuss the importance of advocacy for individuals with disabilities, the role of leaders with lived experience, and the impact of community and policy on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Jill shares her personal journey into disability advocacy, emphasizing the need for action and connection within the community.

The conversation also highlights the significance of Disability Awareness Month and encourages listeners to find their community and advocate for change.

Listen to the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3nyICtgat37dzetshUnSUC?si=KxaHWiEJQMONVQNayUdCcg

Where the Ramp Ends is a weekly podcast hosted by Summer Parrish and Bryce Wooten, focusing on disability, inclusion, and the intersection of advocacy with real-life experiences. The show features conversations on systems change, policy, and personal stories and is produced by the Cincinnati-based organization LADD, Inc. Empowering adults with Disabilities since 1975.

Community living is not just a program. It means: ✔ Choosing where you live ✔ Having a job you care about ✔ Building rel...
03/19/2026

Community living is not just a program.

It means:
✔ Choosing where you live
✔ Having a job you care about
✔ Building relationships
✔ Being part of your neighborhood

It’s a whole life.

Project Impact Highlight: New JerseyThe Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in New Jersey is helping ...
03/18/2026

Project Impact Highlight: New Jersey

The Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in New Jersey is helping older people with disabilities live with dignity and support.

So far, they have:
- Formed a team to teach others how to plan for the future.
- Started a website for the community to share information.
- Held more than 24 classes to help aging and disability groups work better together.
- Added their goals to the state’s official "Age-Friendly" plan.

Learn more about New Jersey's work here: https://nacdd.org/state-profiles/new_jersey/

Thanks to each of these New Jersey partners for their continued continued collaboration:

New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
NJ Department of Human Services (Division of Developmental Disabilities & Division of Aging Services)
Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development
Disability Rights New Jersey
The Arc of New Jersey
NJ Advocates for Aging Well
Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with I/DD and Their Families

Across the country, BADN now connects 17 states to make services for aging and disabilities work better together. Learn more: https://nacdd.org/bridging-and-aging-disability-network/

Community Webinar this week: Understanding the Federal Budget Process: Implications for People with Developmental Disabi...
03/16/2026

Community Webinar this week:

Understanding the Federal Budget Process: Implications for People with Developmental Disabilities and State Councils

This webinar featuring guests from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) aims to provide attendees a clear understanding of the federal budget, appropriations process, reconciliation, and more — all of which can impact Developmental Disabilities (DD) Councils. We'll also discuss concrete ways to engage in year-round federal advocacy.

Date: Wednesday, March 18

Time: 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET

Where: Zoom

Accessibility: We will provide closed captions on Zoom. If you need other help to join (like a sign language interpreter), please tell us when you register.

Register for the event to receive log in information here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/iGt6gFcXTzKKOH7Rzryq_w #/registration

Space is limited, register today!

Project Impact Highlight: New YorkThe Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in New York is helping olde...
03/15/2026

Project Impact Highlight: New York

The Bridging Aging and Disabilities Network (BADN) project in New York is helping older people with disabilities live with dignity and support.

So far, the team in New York has:

- Made a video series for senior centers to show how to welcome people with disabilities
- Asked 1,000 people what they need to find where more help is required
- Created a training video for people who work at community centers
- Worked on ways to help people feel more like a part of their community

Learn more about New York’s work here: https://nacdd.org/state-profiles/new_york/

Thanks to these New York partners:

New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities
New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)
NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
Association on Aging in New York
Disability Rights New York
New York Association on Independent Living
Westchester Institute for Human Development
Self-Advocacy Association of NYS

Across the country, BADN now connects 17 states to make services for aging and disabilities work better together. Learn more: https://nacdd.org/bridging-and-aging-disability-network/

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