Staff:
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Who We Are
Purpose
Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Staff & Board
What are Developmental Disabilities
Benefits of Membership in NACDD
Information about NACDD Conferences and Meetings
Purpose
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is a national,
member-driven organization consisting of 55 State and Territorial Councils. NACDD places high value
on meaningful participation and contribution by Council members and staff of all Member Councils, and we advocate and continually work towards positive system change on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
NACDD was established in 2002 to bring together the two organizations that previously supported DD Councils, Consortium of Developmental Disabilities Councils and National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils.
NACDD represents the diverse interests of its Council members. It is the national voice of the Councils
on Developmental Disabilities. Its purpose is to support Councils in implementing the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and in promoting the interests and rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Councils
on Developmental Disabilities
What is Their Purpose?
The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) states that the purpose of State Councils is to "engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that are consistent with the purpose of the DD Act and; contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family-centered, consumer and family-directed, comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive and be integrated and included in all facets of community life."
DD Councils are encouraged to promote the involvement of their members and staff, especially persons with developmental disabilities and their families. NACDD promotes, encourages, and supports persons with developmental disabilities and their family members in leadership positions within the organization.
Councils on Developmental Disabilities are located in every State and Territory. Council members are appointed by governors to represent and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Council Members serve in a volunteer capacity. More than 60% of these volunteers must be people with developmental disabilities or family members. In this way, the “customer” of the service system plays an important role in directing Councils’ activities.
The Developmental Disabilities Act charges Councils to identify the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities in their State or Territory and to develop innovative and cost-effective ways to meet these needs in a manner that upholds the human and civil value of people with developmental disabilities.
State Plans
Each Council develops a State Plan, identifying specific five year goals for their State. Councils implement their State plans by conducting activities such as: outreach, training, technical assistance, supporting and educating communities, interagency collaboration and coordination, barrier elimination, systems design and redesign, coalition development and citizen participation, informing policymakers, and demonstration of new approaches to services and supports.
Areas of Emphasis
Areas of emphasis in which Councils must work, according to the DD Act are related to activities in quality assurance, education and early intervention, child-care, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, and other services available or offered to people in a community which affect their quality of work.
Goals for Change:
Councils are given powerful direction and broad authority to set priorities in their individual states by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). Councils work toward public policies that promote several goals for people with developmental disabilities, including:
Self Determination - Activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities having the ability and opportunity to communicate and make personal decisions, exercise control over the type and intensity of supports and services they receive, the authority to control resources, opportunities to participate in and contribute to their communities, and support to advocate for themselves and others.
Inclusion - acceptance and encouragement of the presence and participation of individuals with developmental disabilities, by individuals without disabilities, in social, educational, work, and community activities.
Integration - exercise of the equal right of individuals with developmental disabilities to access and use the same community resources as are available to and used by other individuals.
Why We Need Strong Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Before the first passage of the Developmental Disabilities Act in 1970, families received almost no help, children could not attend schools, and many people were sent to State institutions for life. During the past 30 years, Councils have helped to bring about some remarkable changes:
Overall, people with developmental disabilities are becoming more valued and contributing members of their local communities. The Councils on Developmental Disabilities continues to advocate for the resources and supports to sustain these achievements. We know we have much more work to do.
Staff:
Karen Flippo, Executive Director
703-739-4400 x 2
kflippo@nacdd.orgPhyllis Guinivan, Council Services Liaison
302-529-7270
pguinivan@nacdd.orgPat Brown, Office Manager
703-739-4400 x 3
pbrown@nacdd.orgSheryl Matney, Technical Assistance Contract Manager
334-268-0245
smatney@nacdd.orgValerie Billmire, Technical Assistance Contract Specialist
435-640-4172
vbillmire@nacdd.org
Officers:
Becky Harker (Iowa), President
bharker@dhs.state.ia.usMatthew Wangeman (Arizona), Vice President
wangeman@npgcable.comDeborah Swingley (Montana), Treasurer
Deborah@mtcdd.orgBill Lynch (Oregon), Secretary
Bill.F.Lynch@state.or.us
Board Members At-Large:
Julia Bell (Maine)
Julia.J.Bell@maine.govBrian Cox (Maryland)
Brianc@md-council.orgAlthea McLuckie (New Mexico)
mcluckie@unm.eduDave Zwyer (Ohio)
David.Zwyer@dmr.state.oh.us
Team Conveners:
Millie Ryan (Alaska) -- Public Policy Team
millie_ryan@health.state.ak.uWanda Willis (Tennessee) -- Council Services Team
wanda.willis@state.tn.us
Immediate Past President:
Eric Jacobson (Georgia)
eejacobson@dhr.state.ga.us
What are Developmental
Disabilities
A developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability that begins any
time from birth through age 21 and is expected to last for a lifetime. Developmental
disabilities may be cognitive, physical, or a combination of both. While not
always visible, these disabilities can result in serious limitations in every
day activities of life, including self-care, communication, learning, mobility,
or being able to work or live independently. Such disabilities are almost
sure to result in a lifetime of dependence on publicly funded services, unless
families receive sufficient support, children receive appropriate education,
and adults receive appropriate services that enable them to live and work
in their local communities.
Approximately 4 million Americans have developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities can occur in any family, no matter what their ethnic, economic, religious or political background.return
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Benefits of Membership in NACDD
Info about Conferences and Meetings
NACDD holds two conferences annually:
NACDD holds two conferences annually:
The Technical Assistance Institute, sponsored by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities is held in the summer in or near Washington, D.C. This past year the event was held in Baltimore in June.. The Association’s Business Meeting is held the day prior to the event. Attendees are typically Council Members and Staff, but anyone is welcome to attend.
The Fall Conference, hosted by a DD Council, is held annually. The Conference theme and sessions vary from year to year but focus on promising achievements of Councils, topical issues that affect the Councils and people with developmental disabilities, and afford numerous opportunities for networking. Attendees range from Council members and staff to self advocates and other professionals. Anyone is welcome to attend. The 2006 Conference was hosted by the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia Councils. The 2007 conference was held in San Diego, California in October.