The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council’s Post

Your Voice Matters! The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council wants to hear from YOU! 🗣️ Take their State Plan Survey to share which issues matter most to you. Your feedback will help guide meaningful change and improve the lives of Marylanders with developmental disabilities. 📋 Surveys are available in both English and Spanish: 👉 English: https://lnkd.in/eb52FEnn 👉 Spanish: https://lnkd.in/edXdaKxG Need a paper copy? Request one today! #Maryland #DevelopmentalDisabilities #CommunityVoices

Our Work Matters: Episode 1 is Here! 🎙️ The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) isn’t something many Floridians are familiar with—and we’re here to change that. In the first episode of Our Work Matters, Valerie Breen, Executive Director of the FDDC, shares how the Council is connected to the Developmental Disabilities Act of 2000, a law designed to help individuals with developmental disabilities be productive, achieve independence, and fully participate in their communities. Valerie Breen is staff to the Council’s 26-member Governor-appointed board, which includes individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, state agency leaders, and organizations. In this episode, Valerie shares how the Council is formed, the impactful work it does, and the projects it funds. he explains the process of deciding which initiatives receive funding and how the FDDC operates within state and federal systems. Most importantly, she shares how individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can access the resources created by the Council—and how you can get involved in this important mission. Listen to the episode now: https://lnkd.in/e94vpgta #disabilityadvocate #disabilityawareness #developmentaldisabilities #intellectualdisabilities #floridadevelopmentaldisabilitiescouncil #fddc #OurWorkMatters #OurCareMatters

Today the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCIPD) has published its latest report, "Advancing Independence and Community Integration for All: Supporting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Through High-Quality Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)." The report focuses on the opportunities, promising practices, innovative strategies, and policy reforms necessary to strengthen and increase the availability of the HCBS that help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) live and fully participate in their communities. The report also describes the barriers to community living faced by people with I/DD. The full report and a plain language summary can be found in the link at the following link: https://lnkd.in/e6tFJJ2Z

Family support is essential in building strong, inclusive communities. The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is dedicated to connecting families, enhancing their strengths and expanding access to resources. Learn more about DDA’s focus areas: https://lnkd.in/ebDdgRDj

Each year the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council develops and approves a Legislative Platform that includes priorities identified by stakeholders, family members, and self-advocates. The 2025 Legislative platform is now available in multiple formats.  The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) has the primary mission of increasing the capacity of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to be included in their communities.  Our Council members are appointed by the Governor, and they oversee the implementation of the Council’s 5-Year State Plan. This year, the FDDC will illustrate the importance of supporting people with I/DD and their families through a powerful video series, Our Care Matters, which provides real stories that deepen understanding and empathy to encourage meaningful change. The Council’s three central priorities for this year’s platform emerged from national and statewide data for the State Plan, which includes input from people with I/DD, their families, and the people who support them. Download the 2025 Legislative Platform now through the link in our bio.  *Also Available in Plain Text and Spanish.  #disabilityadvocate #disabilityawareness #developmentaldisabilities #intellectualdisabilities #floridadevelopmentaldisabilitiescouncil #fddc #OurWorkMatters #OurCareMatters

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is committed to advancing policies that protect the rights and well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Council’s 2025 legislative priorities focus on ensuring equitable access to home and community-based services, removing barriers to support systems, and upholding human and civil rights. Key areas such as workforce challenges, the elimination of restraint and isolation, and improving access for underserved communities are at the forefront of this effort. We invite you to explore the full 2025 Legislative Priorities below to learn more about how the DDC is advocating for a more inclusive future for people with disabilities in Washington State. https://lnkd.in/gSkgwigx

Self-advocacy is the key to unlocking independence for people living with disabilities! 💪 Read Sam Shepherd's insightful article here https://bit.ly/4gFCW5a to learn more about its importance and how to develop these crucial skills. Visit the 3DA page and website to discover how this organization is fighting for the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. https://www.3da.org/

Today is International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) This is a United Nations observed day held on 3 December each year aiming to raise public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with a disability. ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities' for an inclusive and sustainable future is the 2024 theme   In Australia, approximately 5.5milliion people live with a disability - 1 in 5 people. Not all disabilities are visible, in fact most are invisible (or hidden) such as people who have chronic pain, mental health conditions, sensory processing conditions. When the diasability is invisible it is often forgotten. Advocating for reasonable adjustments to be made in my daughters classroom is a forever battle. Feedback and requests are ignored, contended or just forgotten with time. Many children with disabilities cannot advocate for themselves, so we as parents need to take leadership and amplify the needs of our kids over and over again, everyday.   Find out about some incredible ambassadors doing tireless work for all people with disabilities, everyday: https://lnkd.in/gpXzfGPe

Webinar June 20th - Accessible Ohio Playbook - Guide to Next Steps Increasing Inclusion in Programs, Services, Environments Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities https://lnkd.in/g_5V4cJF

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council’s 2023 Annual Report highlights its key activities and federally funded initiatives over the past fiscal year. Each year, the Council submits a detailed performance report to the U.S. Administration on Community Living. The 2023 report, available in both English and Spanish, outlines progress on five core goals: 1️⃣ Access to Services 2️⃣ Home- and Community-Based Delivery Systems 3️⃣ Aging Caregivers 4️⃣ Self-Advocacy Leadership 5️⃣ Broad Systems Change & Emerging Issues Additionally, the report spotlights special initiatives, including the Paramedicine Project and the Project of National Significance: Bridging Disability and Aging Networks for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Read more on the 2023 Annual Report and download it here: https://lnkd.in/e465FxpN #disabilityadvocate #disabilityawareness #developmentaldisabilities #intellectualdisabilities #floridadevelopmentaldisabilitiescouncil #fddc