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.

Science matters. Compassion matters. The autism community deserves both.22 leading disability organizations—including NA...
09/25/2025

Science matters. Compassion matters. The autism community deserves both.

22 leading disability organizations—including NACDD—are calling for decisions rooted in credible science and human dignity, not fear or misinformation.

Autistic people deserve respect and support. There are many policy and program changes HHS could pursue that would materially improve the lives of autistic people and our families. Avenues to provide suggestions have been limited.

We call on policymakers to collaborate with autistic individuals, families, researchers, clinicians, and disability organizations to ensure that policy is grounded in science and responsive to community needs.

We urge public leaders, institutions, and media to uphold scientific integrity, disseminate accurate public health information, and work together to strengthen—not weaken—the infrastructure of support for the entire autism community. It is what autistic people and their families deserve.

Read the full joint statement ⬇️

🔗 https://nacdd.org/leading-autism-and-disability-organizations-call-for-decision-making-based-on-quality-science-and-compassion-for-the-autism-community/

For students with disabilities, along with families and caregivers, the start of a new school year can be challenging. B...
09/24/2025

For students with disabilities, along with families and caregivers, the start of a new school year can be challenging. But with preparation, advocacy, and community, this year can be one of growth, confidence, and connection.

Read more about building confidence and community this school year in a blog post from NACDD intern Bryan Dooley. Don't miss the helpful checklists linked at the end!

https://bit.ly/4nlqhHH

Congratulations to Jenifer Randle, Executive Director of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO), on b...
09/23/2025

Congratulations to Jenifer Randle, Executive Director of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO), on being named a Woman of Integrity Nominee by the Better Business Bureau Serving Central Oklahoma, Inc.!

Read more about Jenifer in the DD Council Impact section of our most recent edition of Insight: https://nacdd.org/nacdd-insight-august-2025

At Sierra College, inclusion isn’t just a goal, it’s an everyday reality! This week's featured We're Here All Year photo...
09/19/2025

At Sierra College, inclusion isn’t just a goal, it’s an everyday reality!

This week's featured We're Here All Year photos capture the spirit of the Learning Independence for Future Employment (LIFE) Program at Sierra College in California, where students with intellectual and developmental disabilities are actively engaged in campus life. Whether attending classes, working on career skills, or participating in student events, our LIFE students are integral members of the college community.

The LIFE Program provides opportunities for young adults to develop independence, build friendships, and prepare for meaningful employment. Through peer mentorship, hands-on learning, and community involvement, students thrive in an environment that values their strengths.

Read more We're Here All Year stories in our gallery: https://bit.ly/WereHereAllYear

Each week, we share a real story from a person with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). These stories show how people with I/DD live, lead, and speak up in their communities across the U.S.

These are real stories that remind us why disability rights and inclusion matter every day — not just during a specific day or month of the year.

The deadline for submitting public comments is TODAY, Wednesday 9/17!Link: https://nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/140523/Pleas...
09/17/2025

The deadline for submitting public comments is TODAY, Wednesday 9/17!

Link: https://nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/140523/

Please take a moment to voice your support for Section 503 rules and help protect disability job rights!

Section 503 helps people with disabilities get jobs. It states that businesses working with the federal government must take action to hire and support qualified workers with disabilities.

Right now, the rules ask these businesses to:
🌟 Use a simple, voluntary survey to count how many employees have disabilities
🌟 Aim for at least 7% of their workforce to be people with disabilities

This goal helps people with disabilities get jobs.

But a new proposal from the federal government would erase these rules and weaken job protections for people with disabilities.

Tell USDOL: Keep the Section 503 rules!
Submit your comment by September 17, 2025!

Link: https://nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/140523/

Protect disability job rights!Section 503 helps people with disabilities get jobs. It states that businesses working wit...
09/15/2025

Protect disability job rights!

Section 503 helps people with disabilities get jobs. It states that businesses working with the federal government must take action to hire and support qualified workers with disabilities.

Right now, the rules ask these businesses to:
🌟 Use a simple, voluntary survey to count how many employees have disabilities
🌟 Aim for at least 7% of their workforce to be people with disabilities

This goal helps people with disabilities get jobs.

But a new proposal from the federal government would erase these rules and weaken job protections for people with disabilities.

Tell USDOL: Keep the Section 503 rules!
Submit your comment by September 17, 2025!

Link: https://nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/140523/

This week meet Sebastian, a recent high school graduate from Oregon. His mom AnneMarie shared some of his story along wi...
09/12/2025

This week meet Sebastian, a recent high school graduate from Oregon. His mom AnneMarie shared some of his story along with their family's autism awareness journey.

Read more We're Here All Year stories in our gallery: https://bit.ly/WereHereAllYear

Each week, we share a real story from a person with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). These stories show how people with I/DD live, lead, and speak up in their communities across the U.S.

These are real stories that remind us why disability rights and inclusion matter every day — not just during a specific day or month of the year.

This week meet Tatum from Washington. She is volunteering in order to gain experience, and hopes to work at a coffee sho...
09/04/2025

This week meet Tatum from Washington. She is volunteering in order to gain experience, and hopes to work at a coffee shop one day!

Read more We're Here All Year stories in our gallery: LINK IN BIO

Each week, we share a real story from a person with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). These stories show how people with I/DD live, lead, and speak up in their communities across the U.S.

These are real stories that remind us why disability rights and inclusion matter every day — not just during a specific day or month of the year.

Urgent: Deadline to act is TODAY, Sept 2!Help us protect home care workers and people with disabilities’ access to care....
09/02/2025

Urgent: Deadline to act is TODAY, Sept 2!

Help us protect home care workers and people with disabilities’ access to care.

Make your voice heard here: https://nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/137743/

The Department of Labor wants to roll back job protections. That means home care workers could lose minimum wage and overtime pay, and people with disabilities could lose the critical care they depend on.

Act now before midnight TODAY to help stop these harmful changes! Submit your comment using the link below.

Make your voice heard here: https://nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/137743/

The August edition of NACDD's Insight is available! Swipe through to see highlights of what we're talking about this mon...
08/29/2025

The August edition of NACDD's Insight is available!

Swipe through to see highlights of what we're talking about this month, then click the link below to get the full scoop.

https://nacdd.org/nacdd-insight-august-2025/

If you have ideas and stories you want to share about your DD Council and community, send them to media@nacdd.org.

Urgent Action Alert: Tuesday, September 2nd deadline!We need your help to protect home care workers and people with disa...
08/29/2025

Urgent Action Alert: Tuesday, September 2nd deadline!

We need your help to protect home care workers and people with disabilities’ access to care!

The U.S. Department of Labor wants to change a law that protects home care workers. If this happens, workers could lose important rights like minimum wage and overtime pay.

Without these protections, workers may leave their jobs. That means people with developmental disabilities could lose access to the critical care they need every day.

Take action now! Click the link below to send your public comment and tell the Department of Labor why this change would be harmful.

DEADLINE: September 2nd (Tuesday)

Make your voice heard here: https://nacdd.quorum.us/campaign/137743/

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