News:
Hefner Award Winner Featured in Charlotte Observer,
Herald Weekly newspapers
NCCDD's Hefner Award winner founded Exceptional Children's Assistance Center. Read more abouther experiences in these stories, published by the Charlotte Observer. and The Herald Weekly.
You can also learn more about the Council's Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award and this year's winner in the News/Events section on the site.
NCCDD Announces Funds Availability
For Two New Initiatives
The first is an initiative to improve the supports available to aging adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) who live with aging family members.
Aging Together, Seeking Support: Older Families and Their Members with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities
Secondly, NCCDD is offering a separate grant for an initiative building on the state’s significant successes in providing contemporary, post-secondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.
Post-Secondary Education: Standing on the Shoulders of Success
Parent Who Built Organization Aiding People With Disabilities Receives North Carolina's ‘Hefner Award’
Connie Hawkins, co-founder of Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center, was honored by the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities for her outstanding contributions advocating for people with developmental disabilities.
As the mother of a child with a disability, Hawkins found that there were few places to turn for information and support. So, she took action and, working from a table in a walk-in attic at her home, she co-founded the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center. Hawkins’ commitment and success in building the ECAC has led to her becoming the recipient of the 2011 Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award from the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities. The award is given in memory of a former Council member who was a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities. Read more. (doc)
Direct Support Professionals Vital, says NCCDD
Frontline staff often makes it possible for people with disabilities to live more independently,
in their own homes and communities and at lower cost, saving taxpayers money,
but shortages of direct workers loom. Read more. doc
NCCDD Adopts 5 Year Plan
Following an in-depth study of the issues and gathering the views of people with disabilities and others, the NCCDD developed a new five-year plan, which was adopted by the Council at its August meeting. The plan was the result of a development process that included an opinion survey and the focused efforts of members councilmembers, staff and consultants.
Robert Rickelman, Ph.D., the chair of the Council, commented after the adoption of the plan ...
Beyond Academics Grads, Self Advocates in Atlanta, People First
Get the latest information from NCCDD in the Catalyst for Change newsletter
Working together, the Council and its staff have been busy in their efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities. From the innovative Beyond Academics program at UNC-Greensboro to a new webinar teaching parents and self-advocates how to promote "People First" language, NCCDD is actively pursuing its mission. Read the latest. pdf / doc
Council Receives Two National
Awards for Communications
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities has been honored for two communications accomplishments in the 2010 national Communicator Awards Competition.
A brochure that was developed on People First language, giving first hand accounts of how hurtful demeaning terms can be to people with disabilities, won a silver award of distinction in the publications category. The informational video "Self-Determination Is...", which addressed the growing calls for more decision-making authority over their lives by people with disabilities, was honored with a silver award of distinction for video. Both communications projects were produced for the Council by The Wallace Group. -more-
What is the North Carolina Council on
Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD)?
Dr. Robert J. (Bob) Rickelman, Chairman of the
North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities
"We basically get federal funding to put out in grants to help people with developmental disabilities and their family members in a large variety of ways. We can't directly fund people who have different needs, and we do get calls quite a bit, but we're looking more at the state level, and the national level, and how we can influence policy, and how we can increase community capacity… how we can influence legislators to make rules that are in tune with people with developmental disabilities, and their families, and the needs that those folks have."
Holly Riddle, Executive Director of the North
Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities
"The Council is a microcosm of the community of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Sixty percent of its membership by law are people with developmental disabilities and their families. The other 40 percent are policymakers, legislators, service providers, local management entities. Together the Council, a gubernatorially appointed body, represents the broader stakeholder community that's North Carolina. We're charged with advancing systems change, advocacy, and capacity building. I oftentimes say that, 'We're a little like a Johnny Appleseed.' The Council's job is to spot innovation in the field and to introduce it into soil that nurtures it and can sustain it."
| Defining Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability I/DD |
| People First Language Used Here Language that addresses the individual before the disability is a reflection of basic respect. |
The Council has Moved
The NC Council has moved its offices. Please note the new address and phone numbers:
3125 Poplarwood Court, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 850-2901 (voice/tdd)
(800) 357-6916 (voice/tdd)
(919) 850-2915 fax