2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan: Public Comments Requested

Public Comments Requested

The Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) is responsible for developing a state plan, which guides the efforts of the Council. The state plan is developed to address the unmet needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families in our state. Councils must prioritize areas, however, because not all the issues experienced by people with developmental disabilities and their families can be addressed by a Council in one state plan.

Therefore, the Council is seeking public input on its draft goals and objectives for its 2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan. Consistent with federal requirements, the draft state plan goals and objectives are being released for a 45-day public comment period beginning on March 30, 2026, and ending on May 13, 2026.

How to Submit Comments

The draft goals and objectives are below. Comments can be submitted in the comment box. Comments can also be mailed to Darryle Powell and/or Melissa Sylvester at the address below. Additionally, you can email your comments to:

Alternate formats are available upon request by contacting one of the individuals above. All public comments will be reviewed, and the Council will decide on how to best address comments received.

Thank you for your time and feedback.

Contact Information

Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD)
RSA Union Building
100 North Union Street, Suite 682
Post Office Box 301410
Montgomery, AL 36130

(334) 242-3976
(334) 242-0246

ACDD 2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan Draft Goals and Objectives

Priority Area: Community Engagement

Goal 1:
Over the next five years, the ACDD will increase information, opportunities, supports, and other assistance to Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and their support networks so that individuals with I/DD more fully participate in and contribute to the full range of community life.

Objectives:

  • Objective 1.1:
    By 2031, through outreach, education, collaboration, and barrier elimination, the ACDD will support full and active community participation, integration, and inclusion for 500 Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
  • Objective 1.2:
    By 2031, through coordination and collaboration with state, local, and other partners, the ACDD will support opportunities for 1000 Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, their support networks, and others to receive resources, training, and other assistance so that individuals with I/DD achieve full access to the community.
  • Objective 1.3:
    By 2031, the ACDD will work with partners to decrease one or more barriers to community participation and engagement for Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families who have experienced a state or federally declared natural, man-made, or other disaster or public emergency through outreach, education, coordination, and collaboration (Recommended Emerging Issue, Need, or Trend [Disaster or Public Emergency] Objective).

Priority Area: Employment

Goal 2:
Over the next five years, the ACDD will increase or improve services, supports, and other assistance to enable more Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to secure competitive, integrated employment.

Objectives:

  • Objective 2.1:
    By 2031, through training, technical assistance, collaboration with stakeholders, and other activities, the ACDD will support opportunities to provide employment related services, supports, and other assistance to 1000 Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and others so that individuals with I/DD acquire, retain, or advance in competitive, integrated employment.
  • Objective 2.2:
    By 2031, through outreach, training, barrier elimination, and various partnerships, the ACDD will support transition, employment readiness, or other employment related activities for 500 Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), especially unserved and/or underserved populations, so that individuals with I/DD obtain employment certification or credentials and competitive, integrated employment.

Priority Area: Education and Early Intervention

Goal 3:
Over the next five years, the ACDD will strengthen opportunities and provide more information to Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and others to enable individuals with I/DD to access services and supports, maximize their educational potential, and benefit from lifelong learning activities.

Objectives:

  • Objective 3.1:
    By 2031, through collaboration with partners, education, and other activities, the ACDD will increase awareness of and/or access to available services and supports related to education (K-12) and early intervention to address the needs of 1000 Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.
  • Objective 3.2:
    By 2031, through training, technical assistance, coordination, and other activities, the ACDD will increase the capacity of 1000 professionals in education (K-12) and early intervention to better serve and support Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.

Priority Area: Advocacy

Goal 4:
Over the next five years, the ACDD will increase resources, training, and other opportunities to Alabamians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, their support networks, and other allies so that individuals with I/DD live more freely of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and rights violations.

Objectives:

  • Objective 4.1:
    By 2031, through education, collaboration, and other activities, the ACDD will provide resources, training, and other opportunities to 500 Alabama families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) so that family members are more effective and/or active in family and systems advocacy.
  • Objective 4.2:
    By 2031, through training, coordination, and coalition development, the ACDD will support opportunities for 250 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to develop leadership and advocacy skills, train others with I/DD, contribute to a statewide self-advocacy organization led by people with I/DD, participate in other disability leadership coalitions, and educate policymakers about their needs and interests. (Self-Advocacy Requirement)

 

 

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