Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities

Make an Impact in Alabama Join us at Lakeshore Foundation for a day filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities. This in-person event aims to bring together policymakers, advocates, and individuals with disabilities to address key issues and drive positive change. Be part of the conversation and help shap...

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Robin Troutman and Sherman Gillums, Jr.,Director, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, sit down and discuss FEMA’s training course IS-368.A; "Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Operations," Listen

https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/podcast

A special "Thanks" goes to Rep. Cynthia Almond, Rep. Susan Dubose, Rep. Leigh Hulsey, our DD Network Partners (Nancy Anderson of ADAP & Linda Russo and Brooke Thomas of UCEDD), and Allan Bergman for helping us make this weekend another successful Partners In Policymaking weekend! Your presence was greatly appreciated!

Another thanks to Bethany and WSFA for the opportunity to talk about our 2024 DD Awareness Month's Theme!

Month of March to create “World of Opportunities” for Developmental Disabilities Month About 2.5 percent, or 120,000 Alabamians, are either born with or develop a disability.

A special thanks to Bethany and WSFA for helping us promote our 2024 DD Awareness Month Campaign!

March is Developmental Disabilities Month This month is Developmental Disabilities Month, which is meant to break down barriers and recognize the contributions those with developmental disabilities make in our society.

Get behind the Zachary Thomas Bill to include more testing on newborn screening

New bill looks to expand newborn screenings in Alabama Health for newborns is important and one Alabama lawmaker hopes a potential new law could help. Studies show newborn screening saves lives, improves health outcomes, and reduces long-term healthcare costs by allowing for early detection and intervention.All three of Brooke Thomas’s kids have Hurle...

Project Search, a program giving special needs children hands on job experiences at Baptist South The National Institute on Disability’s data shows on average, over 30,000 people in Alabama have a disability. To help them live to their full potential, organizations in Central Alabama are working together through a program called Project Search.

It was a great opportunity to be with Senators, Representatives, and Leaders across three Stares during the Communities In Action meeting at the White House yesterday!

Thank you to our speakers from Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities as well as FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency for takkng part in our first general session!

The first general session of kicks off in 5 minutes! We are so excited to have speakers from Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

Today, we thank Governor Kay Ivey for signing “The Colby Act” into law, so that Alabamians with disabilities can choose to use a team of Supportive Decision Makers in lieu of a guardianship or conservatorship. This way people like Colby and so many more can retain their rights and utilize voluntary natural supports to make decisions through the use of a simple team agreement.

Front Row Left To Right:
Dr Graham Sisson, GOOD, & ADRS, George Merchant, Self Advocate, Senator Arthur Orr, Bill Sponsor, Governor Kay Ivey, Signing, Mrs Kim Spangler, Arc of Alabama, Mr Colby Spangler, Self Advocate, Representative Cynthia Almond, Bill Sponsor, Mrs Anna Pritchett, AARP, Mr Lorenzo Brown, Is-Able Center

Back Row Left to Right: Heidi Martin, UAB, Esq. James Tucker, ADAP, Esq.John Craft, Faulkner Law, Mr Alex Bimes, Alabama Care, Mr Tim Cooper, Arc of Alabama, Mrs Corrie Merchant, APEC, Mr Steve Spangler, Window World, Esq Gaines Brakes, Maynard-Nexsen Law, Linda Russo, UCEDD, Mrs Jennifer Rucker, People First of Shelby County, Mrs Amy Riley, Keller-Williams, Next Day Access, Mr Darryle Powell, ACDD

Join us for our May monthly webinar that highlights Fitting the Pieces Together: Assistive Technology Solutions for Brain Injury and Employment. Register here: https://bit.ly/DETAC-CoP-May-9-2023

Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society to design a new doll with Down syndrome, which dons several other accessories that promote Down syndrome awareness or are commonly used by people with the disorder. Read the full story at the link🔗 https://bit.ly/3AVUEhn

Autism Foundation of Gadsden, Alabama founder Mamta Mishra has purchased 20 acres of land in Gadsden’s City Council District 2 & plans to make a working farm/park out of it specifically for individuals with autism. She is also spearheading the second Autism Spectrum Conference at The Venue at Coosa Landing.

Read more about the incredible work Mishra is doing to end the stigma surrounding those with Autism🔗https://bit.ly/3L2ivjQ

Homewood High School senior Adele Brandrup was born with CHARGE syndrome, but she hasn't let the challenges of her rare condition stop her! She is a record-setting swimmer and one of 52 regional winners in the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program’s Student Achievement. Read her full story at the link🔗

Homewood deaf, blind swimmer Adele Brandrup shows ‘people can do anything’ Bryant-Jordan Regional winner Adele Brandrup understands the influence she can have on others.

Join us June 28-30 in Montgomery for the 2023 Alabama Association for Persons in Supported Employment (AL-APSE) Conference, where we will celebrate inclusion, freedom, and independence!

For more information, including available conference sponsorship for individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members, visit🔗https://bit.ly/3ZHuicN.

To register for the event, visit🔗https://bit.ly/3m4XOvl.

White Sox play-by-play broadcaster Jason Benetti details the positive impact school teachers and advocates have had on his career trajectory while raising awareness about common misconceptions people have about his cerebral palsy. 🎙️

Read his story at the link🔗

'I was born an underdog': White Sox announcer Jason Benetti speaks on assumptions made about those with disabilities "Go be that person who asks for more of the person with a disability."

Please see our CEO of NACDD close out our DDAM of 2023!

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2023 Conclusion Video Everyone at The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) thanks all who participated this year in our campaign. Be su...

"SEE ME AS AN EQUAL " - Darryle Powell, Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities

In need of resources or information about independent living in American Sign Language? DIAL is here to help! We have trained Deaf staff waiting to assist you—no interpreter necessary. Call 888-677-1199 from your videophone or visit acl.gov/DIAL to access ASL Now!

Disability coalition rally

Irish actor James Martin attended the Oscars on Sunday and received an award for his performance in the film, "An Irish Goodbye." Martin is the first person with Down syndrome to win at the Academy Awards. 🏆

View the full story at the link🔗 https://bit.ly/3YOVki3

'He was brilliant' - Partner of Irish actor with Down Syndrome proud of Oscar win James Martin’s childhood sweetheart has described being filled with pride as she watched him pick up an Oscar for the short film An Irish Goodbye. Barbara Norris and Martin have been in a relationship for 14 years, but knew each other as young children attending the same nursery school. She wa...

APRIL is thrilled to be partnering with the Disability Information and Access Line - DIAL; a new federally funded hotline that helps people with disabilities of all ages get vaccinated. Call them at 888-677-1199 or send an email to [email protected] to find out how.
DIAL: Disability Information and Access Line
An easy, new way to get connected to the services you need.
COVID-19 Resources
Get answers to your questions and learn where you can find COVID-19 vaccines, booster shots and tests near you.
Transportation
Find local accessible transportation options that. can help you get where you want to go.
Disability Rights
You have rights. Connect with disability advocates to learn more.
Independent Living
Connect with resources that support community living and independence
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The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower🌻is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.

Launched in 2016 at Britain’s Gatwick Airport, the initiative has grown to include nearly 200 airports worldwide, including 77 in the United States.

Read the full story at the link below🔗

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and a fresh opportunity for community members and local leaders to promote independence, advocacy, productivity, and inclusion for Alabamians with developmental disabilities.

Visit www.acdd.org to view our vision for creating inclusive communities where Alabamians with disabilities can live, learn, work, and play.

DETAC celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with this webinar on partnering with your local Developmental Disabilities Council to work for systems change. Register here: https://bit.ly/DETAC-CoP-Mar-14-2023

Lego is offering up a host of new characters with disabilities as part of a broader push for more diversity within its toy lineup. The characters include those with Down syndrome, limb differences, and vitiligo.

Learn more at the link🔗https://bit.ly/3IxcOsO