Public Comments Requested
(Please use the translation option at the bottom of this page to translate this information into other languages as needed.)

The mission of the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) is to promote and support independence, advocacy, productivity, and inclusion for Alabamians with developmental disabilities. Our vision is that all Alabamians, regardless of disability, will live, learn, work, and play in inclusive communities. The Council engages in advocacy, systems change, and capacity building to address the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families identified through public input, data, trends, etc. The Council is responsible for developing a state plan, which guides the efforts of the Council. Therefore, the Council is seeking public input on its draft goals and objectives for its 2022-2026 Five-Year State Plan. If approved, the state plan would begin on October 1, 2021, and it would continue through September 30, 2026. Consistent with federal requirements, the draft state plan goals and objectives are being released for a 45-day public comment period starting April 19, 2021, and ending midnight June 2, 2021.

The draft goals and objectives are below. Please use the translation option at the bottom of this page to translate this information into other languages as needed. If you would like to provide feedback, please use the contact form on this page. You can also mail your comments to Darryle Powell and/or Melissa Sylvester at the address below or you can also email your comments to Darryle Powell at darryle.powell@mh.alabama.gov and/or Melissa Sylvester at melissa.sylvester@mh.alabama.gov. Alternate formats are available upon request. All public comments will be reviewed to determine if any changes are needed.

Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities
RSA Union Building
100 North Union Street, Suite 682
Montgomery, AL 36130-1410

Thank you for your time and feedback.

————————————————

Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD)

2022-2026 Five-Year State Plan Draft Goals and Objectives

Priority Area: Education and Early Intervention

Draft Goal 1: Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and their support networks will have more access to and knowledge of rights and resources pertaining to education and early intervention so that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive education that supports their rights, needs, and interests.

• Draft Objective 1.1: By 2026, in collaboration with key partners, the ACDD will support the improvement or development of one or more resource or training options for teachers (e.g., special education teachers, general education teachers) and other education professionals or school personnel to address the needs and choices of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the concerns of their families.

• • Draft Timeline: 2024-2026

• Draft Objective 1.2: By 2026, via collaboration with key partners, the ACDD will support or provide opportunities for 300 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to receive resources and training so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities maximize their educational potential and are integrated and included in all facets of student life in all stages of education.

• • Draft Timeline: 2024-2026

• Draft Objective 1.3: By 2026, via collaboration with various entities, the ACDD will increase access to information about services and supports related to education and early intervention through outreach, training, and education for 500 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families who have limited English proficiency with a specific focus on Spanish speakers. (Targeted Disparity Requirement)

• • Draft Timeline: 2022-2026

Priority Area: Employment

Draft Goal 2: Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, their support networks, and others statewide will have increased employment supports so that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can obtain competitive, integrated employment.

• Draft Objective 2.1: By 2026, through partnerships with other stakeholders, the ACDD will promote or expand employment opportunities, training, and/or resources for 500 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

• • Draft Timeline: 2022-2026

• Draft Objective 2.2: By 2026, through education and collaboration, the ACDD will facilitate one or more systemic changes to reduce barriers to competitive, integrated employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• • Draft Timeline: 2022-2026

Priority Area: Formal and Informal Community Supports

Draft Goal 3: In communities across Alabama, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families will be provided more information leading to greater access to, and/or use of, formal and informal community supports.

• Draft Objective 3.1: By 2026, via outreach, training, education, and collaboration with local and state partners, the ACDD will enhance the availability of information about formal and informal community supports for 500 Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families who are residents of rural, impoverished Black Belt counties. (Targeted Disparity Requirement)

• • Draft Timeline: 2022-2026

• Draft Objective 3.2: By 2026, in collaboration with the Alabama Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network Partners, the ACDD will establish or strengthen at least one statewide self-advocacy organization led by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; support opportunities for at least 20 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are considered leaders to provide leadership training to other individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become leaders; and support and expand participation of at least 20 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in cross-disability and culturally diverse leadership coalitions. (Self-Advocacy Requirement) (Developmental Disabilities Network Collaboration Requirement)

• • Draft Timeline: 2022-2026

• Draft Objective 3.3: The ACDD will support or develop initiatives that address at least one emerging issue, trend, or need related to access to or use of formal and informal community supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through outreach, education, and collaboration by 2026. (Optional Emerging Issue or Trend Objective)

• • Draft Timeline: 2022-2026

Priority Area: Health

Draft Goal 4: Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and others will receive education and training resulting in improved access to healthcare services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families that addresses their needs and choices and enhances their quality of life.

• Draft Objective 4.1: By 2026, the ACDD will work with partners to decrease one or more barriers to the receipt of healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

• • Draft Timeline: 2022-2024

• Draft Objective 4.2: By 2026, the ACDD will work with partners to increase the knowledge of 300 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families about healthcare services, supports, and rights through training and the provision of resources.

• • Draft Timeline: 2022-2024

 

 Please provide comments regarding the above draft goals and objectives by filling out the form below.