Governor's Council on Disability

06/05/2026

The June issue of the Governor’s Council on Disability’s GCD Newsletter is now available!
https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/files/newsletter-volume-12-issue-3.pdf

Inside this Issue:
• Celebrating Champions of Inclusion and Youth Leadership
• Call for Artists: Participate in the GCD’s 2026 NDEAM Poster Contest
• Legislative Session Results
• The Countdown is on for MO-YLF 2026
• The ADA turns 36 - Celebrate, Learn, Share
• Shaping a Nation: Leaders with Disabilities who built American History
• Advancing Accessibility: State Team Members collaborate at Business Summit
• Going for Gold: Missouri Students shine at Job Olympics
• Advancing digital inclusion at 2026 Accessibility summit
• Upcoming Events

Please share this newsletter with other interested individuals.
Subscribe to the newsletter at https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/newsletters.htm

06/05/2026

CALL FOR ARTISTS: PARTICIPATE IN THE GCD’S 2026 NDEAM POSTER CONTEST

The Governor's Council on Disability (GCD) invites you to participate in its annual Poster Contest in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

This year’s theme is Celebrating Value and Talent, carrying the spirit of our last celebration forward into 2026 in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

We invite you to design a poster that captures the spirit of disability
inclusion in the workplace. Your artwork should highlight the talent,
value, and vital contributions of workers with disabilities.

Whether you are a seasoned professional artist or a passionate
newcomer, we want to see your unique perspective on workplace
access and opportunity.

The winning artist will receive statewide visibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact:
* Your artwork will be featured on the official GCD NDEAM poster
* Your design will be showcased during NDEAM events and shared
statewide to help spread awareness about the importance of inclusive employment
* The winner will be formally recognized at the NDEAM celebration event in Jefferson City this October

How to Enter:
To share your vision and participate in this year's celebration, please follow these steps:
Step 1: Create your original artwork.
Step 2: Download the official entry form and review detailed guidelines at disability.mo.gov/gcd/PosterContest/
Step 3: Submit your artwork and entry form by the final deadline.
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026

This initiative is more than a contest—it is a celebration of progress, pride, and potential. Let your creativity help shape the future of inclusive, accessible employment across our state. We look forward to reviewing your submissions!

05/13/2026

Register now to participate in the upcoming Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) in Springfield

👋 Join us for a free 2-day Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) in Springfield!

Learn about local, state, and federal resources that support young adults with disabilities as they prepare for employment and independence.

📅 Part 1: Friday, June 5th, 2026
📅 Part 2: Saturday, June 6th, 2026
📍 Goodwill Excel and Career Center of Springfield | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Topics include:

Employment possibilities for youth transitioning to adulthood
Supports for employees and employers
Maintaining benefits and finding local resources

🔗 Register today: missouriparentsact.org/mofeat

📞 1-800-743-7634

05/12/2026

Congratulations to our friends at University of Missouri Pre-Employment Transition Services for hosting a very successful Statewide Job Olympics event! The Governor's Council on Disability team was excited to participate in the event.

05/05/2026

State offices will be closed on Friday, May 8 in observance of Truman Day. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, May 11.

04/22/2026

Mid-Missouri Employers and Job Seekers - Don't miss your opportunity to participate in the 2026 AccessAbility Business Summit on May 7 in Columbia. Sign up now at tinyurl.com/accessability-business-summit

04/22/2026

Missouri DD Council's Medicaid Advocacy NOFA is now open.

It is now accepting applications for a two-year project to support Medicaid advocacy for Missourians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.

Application Deadline: June 8, 2026
Questions Due: May 11, 2026
Q&A Webinar: May 19, 2026

Learn more: https://moddcouncil.org/grants-nofas/

04/22/2026

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Governor's Council on Disability joined the Go-Blue Wellness Walk today to help the Missouri's Children's Trust Fund raise awareness about child abuse prevention.

Learn more about Missouri Children's Trust Fund and what you can do to prevent child abuse at https://ctf4kids.org/

04/16/2026

NOW AVAILABLE: The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) online claim portal is now available. RECA applicants may now file claims electronically through the Department of Justice's Civil Division’s RECA Claim Portal: https://ow.ly/prEo50Y5I5n

If you or someone you know lived in North St. Louis County for at least two years starting in 1949 and later developed certain cancers, you may be eligible for compensation under the RECA Program.

RECA provides financial help for people who were exposed to radioactive waste and developed specific illnesses. That includes many families in North County who were impacted by nuclear waste from the Manhattan Project and Coldwater Creek.

Visit https://ow.ly/UO4r50Y5I5q for more information including a link to the application from the Department of Justice, qualifying cancers, and what records we can connect you to help you apply.