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 promote 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.

Have you moved recently? 🏠 Make sure your voice is heard and update your voter registration today! If you’ve changed you...
09/25/2026

Have you moved recently? 🏠 Make sure your voice is heard and update your voter registration today!

If you’ve changed your address, you must update your registration to vote in the upcoming General Election. The online registration portal or the voter registration form can be used to change a name or address. Notices of change of address from registered voters received at least 15 days before a special, primary or general election by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for that election.

Click here to change your registration: https://elections.ny.gov/registration-and-voting-deadlines

🔔 NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY 🔔The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is seeking grant applications th...
09/25/2026

🔔 NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY 🔔

The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is seeking grant applications that support the translation of existing documents or materials related to the CDD approved State Plan into other languages. The specific objective of the funding is solely to assist organizations with translating documents and materials intended to inform, benefit, or serve as resources to individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) their families and caregivers, thereby increasing their access to key information, resources and materials which will increase their ability to affect public policy. Eligible organizations can apply for a minimum of $2,500 up to a maximum of $5,000.

To learn more, click here: https://cdd.ny.gov/language-access-small-grant

The CDD was honored to join and sponsor the Department of Civil Service’s Hispanic Heritage Month event today! We covere...
09/24/2026

The CDD was honored to join and sponsor the Department of Civil Service’s Hispanic Heritage Month event today! We covered the expense of an ASL interpreter as part of a larger push to make state events more accessible.

We were excited to be part of this incredible celebration of Hispanic achievements and culture!

Today is International Day of Sign Languages! 🌎🤟 The International Day of Sign Languages, observed every year on Septemb...
09/23/2026

Today is International Day of Sign Languages! 🌎🤟

The International Day of Sign Languages, observed every year on September 23rd, offers a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users. Sign languages are a vital part of communication, inclusion, and self-advocacy, with over 300 different sign languages existing around the world.

Today, we celebrate the important role of sign languages in honoring identity, promoting accessibility, and supporting self-advocacy for evryone.

The Special Education Task Force is holding a virtual training!Participants will receive an update on new and updated sp...
09/22/2026

The Special Education Task Force is holding a virtual training!

Participants will receive an update on new and updated special education laws, regulations, state and federal guidance, and trending topics or issues. The presenter will share updates about new or revised guidance from the US Department of Education, including the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Programs (OSERS), and New York State Department of Education (NYSED). The presentation will offer a summary update and brief analysis of relevant changes or updates and how they may impact access to or delivery of special education for the 2026-2027 school year in key areas such as identification, evaluation, eligibility, implementation, and procedural rights and protections related to special education programs and services for students with disabilities.

To sign up, click here: https://drny-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/pR8YkDBuSIOmNif6piQ3Dg #/registration

This past Friday, the CDD hosted our 4th Annual Advocacy Institute! This one-day event is designed to empower people wit...
09/21/2026

This past Friday, the CDD hosted our 4th Annual Advocacy Institute! This one-day event is designed to empower people with developmental disabilities and family members with the knowledge and skills needed to speak up, share experiences, and advocate for themselves and their communities.

Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to learn from fellow advocates, connect with one another and explore ways to make their voices heard. We want to give a big thank you to all the participants, who brought their experiences and passion to this year's event. Your advocacy helps create meaningful change.

We also want to thank the NY Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation and The Arc New York for once again joining us to host the event.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the 4th Annual Advocacy Institute a productive day!

A new documentary video series created through a partnership between Georgetown University National Center for Cultural ...
09/18/2026

A new documentary video series created through a partnership between Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) and OPWDD explores how culture and language influence the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the systems that provide supports and services.

Our very own council member Bin Feng lended his voice and perspective in a video about engaging culturally and linguistically diverse communities when communicating about DD supports and services. We encourage you to check out this video as well as the entire series!

To watch the video, visit: https://vimeo.com/1198533041?fl=pl&fe=vl

To view the entire series, visit: https://nccc.georgetown.edu/opwdd/videos/

For our friends in Queens, join CIDA this Saturday for an evening of art, stories, and community, celebrating the work o...
09/18/2026

For our friends in Queens, join CIDA this Saturday for an evening of art, stories, and community, celebrating the work of artist Lisa Baw at CoSpire Cafe!

Lisa is a previous graduate of the CDD's annual Advocacy Institute, and an incredible artist! Through her paintings, Lisa shares her perspective, emotions, and a part of her world with all of us.

When: Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Where: CoSpire Café

This week is Disability Voting Rights Week 🗳️Not only do you have the right to vote, you have the right to accessibility...
09/18/2026

This week is Disability Voting Rights Week 🗳️

Not only do you have the right to vote, you have the right to accessibility accommodations, such as the following:

- Service animal support
- Someone to help you vote (cannot be your employer or union representative)
- Handrails on all stairs at the voting location
- Accessible parking places
- Voting and election materials in large print
- Entrances and doorways at the voting location that are at least 32 inches wide
- Wheelchair-accessible voting locations, both inside and outside
- At least one accessible voting device at every location. These devices help voters who are blind, visually impaired, or have other accessibility needs.
- Poll workers to help you use accessible voting devices

The deadline for registering to vote is October 24, 2026. Early voting runs from October 24th - November 1st, 2026. Election Day is November 3, 2026.

Are you registered to vote? If not, click here: https://vote.gov/

Earlier this week, the CDD was joined by members of the Individual and Families Committee and the Community and Systems ...
09/17/2026

Earlier this week, the CDD was joined by members of the Individual and Families Committee and the Community and Systems Change Committee for a productive pair of meetings in Albany! As always, a huge thanks to our incredible members in each committee for lending their perspectives and experiences to help move systems forward. 💜

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

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