Welcome to the Commonwealth Council on Developmental DisabilitiesIt is our mission to create systemic change in the Commonwealth of Kentucky empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve full citizenship and inclusion in the community through advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change. We envision communities that fully engage, support & provide equal opportunity for each individual to pursue the American dream as fully integrated, valued & contributing citizens. We are governed and agree with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) that “disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of United States society.”
About Council Member RolesAppointed by Governors in every state and territory, DD Councils consist of people with developmental disabilities, their family members, disability advocates, and state agency representatives. For over half a century, as mandated by the DD Act, DD Councils have worked with policy-makers and community partners to achieve real changes that promote the self-determination, independence, economic self-sufficiency, productivity, integration, and inclusion of people with DD. Because of the DD Act and DD Councils, people with developmental disabilities live work and thrive in the community as productive and equal members of society. Kentucky has a Council of 26 governor-appointed citizens and eight Council staff. Join TodayAbout the CCDDWe are an independent, self-governing organization dedicated to advancing the inclusion of Kentuckians in all facets of community life. The Council is a part of 56 national State and Territory Councils on Developmental Disabilities, all federally funded and mandated to advocate and create systems change for people with developmental disabilities. The Council is a part of the Kentucky DD Network. The DD Network works together on projects and initiatives to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families. Each state has a DD Network comprised of a DD Council, a Protection and Advocacy agency, and a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Continue Reading |