Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council

10/27/2026

Did You Participate in a Council Activity? We Want to Hear from You! Click below to read more.

https://conta.cc/4e4xIQS

10/27/2026

Curious about ABLE accounts? Learn more about saving money for the future while keeping other benefits safe.

Who can open an ABLE account?

An ABLE account is a savings account made for people with disabilities. You may be able to open one if:

You have a qualifying disability.

Your disability started before age 46.

If your disability started later in life, you may now qualify thanks to new government rules.

An ABLE account helps you save money for future needs while keeping your healthcare and monthly benefit income safe.

Find and compare ABLE programs using NACDD's national directory: https://nacdd.org/able-accounts/

10/21/2026

Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) protects and advocates for the human and legal rights of people with disabilities of all ages across Louisiana. DRLA works to empower the disability community to live an integrated life, free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Building on recent successes with impactful litigation and innovative programming, DRLA now seeks its next Executive Director (ED).

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the new ED will lead a highly qualified team of approximately 50 dedicated staff delivering free legal services, educating policymakers, advocating for clients, and delivering trainings throughout the state. The ED will oversee organizational development, supervise senior staff, and manage a roughly $5M annual budget. They will also ensure compliance with legal and funder requirements, safeguarding the short- and long-term fiscal and programmatic health of the organization.

DRLA seeks a compassionate manager who will foster a strong internal culture and lead strategic growth in service of greater impact for the disability community across Louisiana.

The ideal candidate will have significant nonprofit leadership and management experience within disability rights, legal advocacy, or a closely related field. Strong candidates will demonstrate commitment to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, motivating teams and fostering alignment, and mobilizing public and private support and partnership for the systems change and direct service work DRLA does.

The ED will exhibit humble servant leadership and will have a strong ability to build relationships and gain the trust of the Board and staff at all levels of the organization. The ED will represent DRLA publicly and will continue to elevate the organization’s profile as a critical, impactful agency, both across the state and nationwide.

Click here to read the full job description and to apply:
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Apply/4563448/Disability-Rights-Lousiana/Executive-Director

10/07/2026

📢 The Derek’s Promise Task Force will meet again on Tuesday, October 13 at 9:00 a.m. through Microsoft Teams.

The task force is studying gaps in healthcare and crisis services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Your voice is important. People with I/DD, families, caregivers, advocates, providers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend and follow the task force’s work.

📅 Tuesday, October 13
⏰ 9:00 a.m.
💻 Virtual through Microsoft Teams

Learn more and find the meeting link, agenda, and materials from the September meeting in our latest LaDDC News.
https://conta.cc/4dstfHv

10/06/2026

Louisianans with Disabilities have a right to accessible voting. Elections are coming soon. Make Your Plan to vote.

Louisiana’s upcoming election is Tuesday, November 3rd. Early voting starts on October 20th and runs through October 27th. Polls are closed on Sunday, October 25th.

Elections and polling places must be accessible to people with all types of disabilities. Making a plan to vote ahead of time will help avoid problems on Election Day.

GeauxVote has a pamphlet that talks about the ways that people with disabilities can get the assistance they need for voting: https://www.sos.la.gov/elections-voting/disabled-elderly-citizens.

Want help making sure you get the accommodations you need? You may be able to find answers and help by contacting:

Disability Rights Louisiana - 1-800-960-7706, www.DisabilityRightsLA.org.
Your local registrar of voters - https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/registrar.
The Secretary of State’s Election hotline and webpage - 1-800-883-2805
The Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs - 225-219-7553
GeauxVote.com

10/02/2026

A new bipartisan resolution in Congress focuses on the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in their homes and communities.

H.Res. 1586 highlights the importance of community living and the protections established through the Olmstead decision.

Want to learn more or share your thoughts with members of Congress?

Read our latest LaCAN Alert:
https://conta.cc/4AQ2mHu

10/01/2026

A new five-year plan starts today!

The Council’s 2027–2031 Five-Year Plan sets the direction for our work over the next five years, with a focus on:

• Advocacy and leadership
• Health and community supports
• Education and employment

We also have a new 2027 Action Plan that shows what we’ll be working on this year.

See what’s ahead for the Council and the work we’ll be taking on across Louisiana:
https://conta.cc/46RI8iT

09/29/2026

The LaDDC 4th Quarter Committee and Business Meetings will be held October 28-29, 2026. Click below to see the full meeting schedule.

https://conta.cc/47nzFE2

09/28/2026

The Council's Legislative Ad Hoc Committee will meet Oct. 15 at 10 AM.

Help us come up with our advocacy goals for the 2027 Legislative Session.

See how you can be involved:
https://conta.cc/4hQ2qiK

09/26/2026

Reminder! Don't forget to apply for the upcoming 2027 Partners in Policymaking class. Click below to read more.

https://conta.cc/4yZhoZG