New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities

New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities This is the page for the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD)

The NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (NYSDDPC) is a federally-funded, New York State Agency operating under the direction of the Governor. The NYSDDPC is one of 56 Councils across the United States and its territories which work to address identified needs of individuals with developmental disabilities by conducting advocacy, systems change, and capacity building efforts that promot

e self-determination, integration, and inclusion. Councils focus on empowering individuals through activities that teach self-advocacy skills and support self-determination. By empowering individuals and their families to both advocate for themselves and seek long-term solutions through systems change, Councils are creating an environment of self-sufficiency, self-determination, inclusion, and acceptance. Councils also play a critical role in quality assurance and as innovators in the development of person-centered systems.

Got stress? The CDD supported ProActive Caring can help! Learn about mindfulness, find resources, and do some relaxation...
02/24/2025

Got stress? The CDD supported ProActive Caring can help! Learn about mindfulness, find resources, and do some relaxation exercises at https://www.proactivecaring.org/

Today we will be featuring CDD Council Member, Xavier Skeeter during !“I advocate for myself and others.”– Xavier Skeet...
02/20/2025

Today we will be featuring CDD Council Member, Xavier Skeeter during !

“I advocate for myself and others.”
– Xavier Skeeter

As a self-advocate, Xavier has done exceptional volunteer work in his local community at the Arc of Rensselaer County and even does presentations about his life. He is proud to work at Regal Cinemas and also serves as the Chair of our Community and Systems Change Committee. As Chair, he facilitates discussion among Committee Members in order to develop ideas for new projects & initiatives.

Learn more about him here: https://www.facebook.com/share/t22Vk3pGFfYQQvQ4/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The CDD is excited to participate in this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Food Drive. CDD staff will be pr...
02/19/2025

The CDD is excited to participate in this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Food Drive. CDD staff will be providing donations to the South End Children’s Café and to the Regional Food Bank!

02/14/2025

Join us in celebrating Paul and Hava this Valentine's Day!
The CDD is working on a video celebrating the couple’s journey to marriage.

The NYS CDD is honoring Black History Month by highlighting black leaders with disabilities and sharing facts about blac...
02/14/2025

The NYS CDD is honoring Black History Month by highlighting black leaders with disabilities and sharing facts about black Americans’ contributions to the disability rights movement.

Meet Lois Curtis who is a disability rights advocate and artist who grew up with cognitive and developmental disabilities and spent nearly 20 years in institutions.

She was the lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case, Olmstead v. L.C.

The Olmstead Decision ruled that institutionalizing people with disabilities was discriminatory. This was a monumental moment in the Independent Living Movement.

February is ! Every Friday, we will be featuring a person who has been a leader in the developmental disability field. ...
02/13/2025

February is ! Every Friday, we will be featuring a person who has been a leader in the developmental disability field. This week we are highlighting our very own, Ketrina Hazell!

“I am visible. I have worth. I can succeed.”
– Ketrina Hazell

Ketrina views herself as made up of three magic powers: being a woman, being Black, and being uniquely made. As a self-advocate, Ketrina has dedicated herself to being a leader, motivational speaker, and published author. She is also a college graduate, the Founder of Disability Champions Mentoring Network, and serves as the Chair of our Individuals and Families Committee.

Learn more about her here: https://www.respectability.org/2021/02/black-history-month-reflection-ketrina-hazell/

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! Oral hygiene has a direct connection to better overall health, but ...
02/12/2025

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! Oral hygiene has a direct connection to better overall health, but some people with disabilities struggle with teeth brushing. HII Tech’s solution enables caregivers to properly address oral hygiene, with a toothbrush designed to be used by a caregiver. Learn more here: https://cfdsny.org/hii-tech

Closes this Friday, February 14th! Calling all self-advocate artists! The CDD would like to highlight your artwork in a ...
02/11/2025

Closes this Friday, February 14th! Calling all self-advocate artists! The CDD would like to highlight your artwork in a digital art gallery to show your accomplishments and goals and that everything and anything is possible! Submit your artwork to [email protected].

Parent to Parent NYS is hosting a Virtual Father's Group tonight from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Our very own council member Bi...
02/10/2025

Parent to Parent NYS is hosting a Virtual Father's Group tonight from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Our very own council member Bin Feng will be there! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/Fathers-Group

The NYS CDD is honoring Black History Month by highlighting black leaders with disabilities and sharing facts about blac...
02/07/2025

The NYS CDD is honoring Black History Month by highlighting black leaders with disabilities and sharing facts about black Americans’ contributions to the disability rights movement.
Black communities make up a significant portion of the workforce that supports people with developmental disabilities so they can live in the community.

Did you know: 40% of direct support professionals across New York State self-identify as Black, according to the 2023 National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey.

Reminder! Calling all self-advocate artists! The CDD would like to highlight your artwork in a digital art gallery to sh...
02/07/2025

Reminder! Calling all self-advocate artists! The CDD would like to highlight your artwork in a digital art gallery to show your accomplishments and goals and that everything and anything is possible! Submit your artwork to [email protected] by February 14th.

February is ! Every Thursday, we will be featuring a person who has been a leader in the developmental disability field...
02/06/2025

February is ! Every Thursday, we will be featuring a person who has been a leader in the developmental disability field. This week's spotlight is a visionary advocate, Willie Mae Goodman!

“I see prejudice as a disease.”
– Willie Mae Goodman

Willie Mae's passion for advocacy began as a child, where she experienced racial prejudice growing up in the South. Her advocacy work for people with developmental disabilities began shortly after her daughter, Margaret, was born. Willie Mae was relentless in her opposition to the infamous Willowbrook State School and fought for its closing. Willie Mae founded the Gouverneur Parents Association and led the fight for community-based services for people with disabilities.

Learn more about her here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/mrs-willie-mae-goodman-advocate

Address

99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1230
Albany, NY
12206

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+15184867505

Website

Alerts

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Videos

Join us in celebrating Paul and Hava this Valentine's Day! The CDD is working on a video celebrating the couple’s journey to marriage.

Join us in celebrating Paul and Hava this Valentine's Day! The CDD is working on a video celebrating the couple’s journey to marriage.

Hear how Martin Luther King Jr. inspired Bernard Carabello and others in the Disability Rights movement.

Today is International Mentoring Day! See the impact of Yes She Can's mentoring program for young women with Developmental Disabilities. #NMM2025

Breaking News! The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, New York Chapter 67th Annual New York Emmy Awards ceremony was held this past weekend, and the CDD's documentary The Path Forward: Remembering Willowbrook WON in the Diversity/Equity/Inclusion category! Thank you and congratulations to our partners in the New York State Office of General Services Media team.

We were so pleased to be part of the Disability Rights Employment Awareness Month (DREAM) Symposium earlier this week in Albany. Learn more about the CDD's employment-related work here: https://cdd.ny.gov/employment-initiatives

Get to Know Self-Advocate Allison and her work! Arc Herkimer #SelfAdvocateSpotlight https://youtu.be/hBZ9u8UAW6k

Let's close out World Autism Month with a clip from a recent performance at Autism Action Day in Albany from Michelle King from the amazing FLAME The Band #AutismAcceptance #Inclusion

Master Housing Navigators focus on bringing together housing related professionals to find creative housing solutions for people with Developmental Disabilities. The CDD funded ‘Regional Housing Collaborative’ initiative supported navigators in each region of NYS to make the connections between, developers, non-profit providers, and local governments to find creative housing solutions for people with developmental disabilities. The CDD produced a video highlighting a success story from the Long Island region. Learn more about that story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMIjBYi71kM&t=49s

This week, the CDD celebrates Immigrant Heritage Week! Observed since 2004, Immigrant Heritage Week highlights a significant moment in New York City’s history: April 17, 1907, the day when 11,000 immigrants – the largest number recorded at the time – entered the U.S. through Ellis Island. As a New Yorker, you have the right to access state programs, benefits, and services, no matter what language you speak. You can receive free interpretation services and have important documents translated into many languages when requesting state benefits or services. To learn more about your language access rights in New York State, visit languageaccess.ny.gov.

Tim lives in his very own apartment. Thanks to the work of NY Alliance and East End Disability Associates, Inc. - EEDA, Tim was able to move into affordable, inclusive housing at Riverview Lofts. #AutismAcceptance https://youtu.be/SmxMay0sOOE?si=fQ58c8yc3UfMN6lv

Get to Know Self-Advocate Nichole! #SelfAdvocateSpotlight https://youtu.be/q1prSv3Lz74

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