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ACDD is proud to announce the 2020 Jeff Ridgeway Advocacy Award Winners, chosen by our network partner, the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. The winners, Mr. Joshua Greiner and Mr. Darren Morris, are both dynamic, tenacious, motivated individuals with disabilities who’ve displayed exceptional leadership in self-advocacy. These men have declared a strong vision and voice for Self-Advocacy in Alabama. Watch a short video to learn more about their inspiring achievements below.

We need your help addressing the needs of those with developmental disabilities in our community. With your input, we can work together to remove barriers to accessing services and work toward independence, inclusion and acceptance. Join the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities for a virtual public forum.

Morning Session:

October 16, 2020 at 10 a.m. CST – End Time: 11:30 p.m. CST

Join by Zoom Meeting: https://mhalabama.zoom.us/j/93332725164?pwd=L2FISnBlVWllaW13Znk3L1BjUlRDUT09

Meeting ID: 933 3272 5164

Passcode: 408408

Join by Skype for Business

https://mhalabama.zoom.us/skype/93332725164

Call in: 1-312-626-6799

Afternoon Session:

October 16, 2020 at 2 p.m. CST – End Time: 3:30 p.m. CST

Join by Zoom Meeting:

https://mhalabama.zoom.us/j/98719536952?pwd=Qi9pUmNOYjFNeEZobHhwaC9uMGlzQT09

Meeting ID: 987 1953 6952

Passcode: 922528

Join by Skype for Business:

https://mhalabama.zoom.us/skype/98719536952

Call in: 1-312-626-6799

If you require accommodations, please contact ACDD at 334-242-3976 or Melissa Sylvester at 334-242-0246.

Survey in English
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACDDSTATEPLANSURVEY

Survey in Spanish
https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/Q7DCNXY

Survey in Korean
https://ko.surveymonkey.com/r/QWHJM7L

EDUCATORS, you can help!

Each March, the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of community life. For 2020, ACDD would like to support teachers, librarians, and school officials in creating an INCLUSIVE lesson, activity, presentation, or campaign. 

Selected proposals receive $200 to implement activity.

Activity to be completed by May 1.

Submit proposals of activity on form found in the link by Friday, March 20, 2020 to:

Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities

100 North Union Street, P.O. Box 301410

Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1410

Phone: 1-800-232-2158 & 334-242-3973

Fax: 334-242-0797

Email: Holli.Cawthorne@mh.alabama.gov or Darryle.Powell@mh.alabama.gov

Need ideas?

Go to https://www.indianadisabilityawareness.org/downloads/ for valuable resources.

Bank of America has committed to providing people with disabilities the opportunity to achieve economic mobility. Some of their efforts include advocating for inclusion by hiring those with disabilities across their company. Bank of America has also showed this commitment through its partnership with the Special Olympics for 30 years.

A 100 Percent Score

Bank of America scored 100 percent on the U.S. Business Leadership Network Disability Equality Index. This index is a list of companies that are leading the charge in creating inclusive policies and programs for people with disabilities of all types, both developmental and physical. Here are some of the strategies that Bank of America has implemented to gain its 100 score.

1) Creating a Disabilities Advocacy Network

Bank of America’s Disabilities Advocacy Network (DAN) takes employees that either have disabilities themselves or have family members with disabilities, and connects them to opportunities for professional and economic growth. DAN puts on forums and workshops with topics related to the disabled community.

2) Implementing staffing teams dedicated to employees with disabilities

The bank has staffing teams dedicated to inclusion and hiring a diverse group of employees. The teams partner with agencies and local community organizations to give those with developmental and physical disabilities equal access to their jobs.

3) Promoting accessible banking for customers with disabilities

Since the company hires a diverse group of employees, it’s also great at providing services for its diverse customers. Bank of America has ATMs that offer vocal instructions for those that have visual impairments. The bank even offers financial advice through Merrill Lynch, a team of advisors that specialize in special needs planning for families.

The Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities

The Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) advocates for the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities into the workforce. At ACDD, we support Alabamians with developmental disabilities who want to gain independence, be a contributing member of society, and live a full life. If you’d like to learn more about our services and how you can support the developmental disabilities community, contact us today.

March is national Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and learn about issues that people with these disabilities face. Although everyone should commit to being empathetic and learning about the struggles of others, this month, you have the opportunity to learn as well as celebrate! Here are a few ways you can celebrate and bring awareness to those around you about intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Support with Your Mind

The biggest support that you can give to any community is to learn about the struggles that its members face. Members of an underrepresented community may feel misunderstood, and this month, you can support them by simply learning. Try attending a lecture or reading a book about the personal experiences of someone with an intellectual or developmental disability. Although there’s no way for you to step into their shoes, it could definitely become more empathetic.

Support with Your Money

Another way to support the developmental disabilities community is by helping out financially. Anyone that works for a cause knows that ultimately, you need money to help bring change. Often, organizations that support those with developmental disabilities are nonprofits and can always use donations. Of course, you can always write a check, but if you live near an activity center that serves people with developmental disabilities, call and ask what supplies they need. You could donate by buying these supplies in bulk and dropping them off.

Support with Your Time

Not everyone has the opportunity to support financially, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still support. As mentioned before, organizations that serve the developmentally disabled community are usually nonprofits, and they love to have volunteers! Clear out a Saturday on your calendar for you and your family to volunteer at an activity center. You may want to volunteer at an organization whose goal is to bring awareness, or you could volunteer by passing out flyers around the community.

Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities Encourages You to Celebrate

This month is an opportunity for you to celebrate the developmental disabilities community – and it’s also an opportunity to help bring awareness about the struggles that people with these disabilities face. If you’d like to learn more, contact us today.