Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities

12/17/2025

Exciting news! Kentucky's Support Service Provider (SSP) is kicking off to support the diverse DeafBlind community and staff across Kentucky!

if you are interested, go ahead and register by clicking on the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MNN3LST

12/16/2025

Sebastian, who is supported by Mattingly Edge, is now taking orders for his 2026 calendar! 🎨✨

The calendar features 12 high-quality prints of his original artwork, each inspired by his love of animals and nature. People often show up in his pieces too—yes, even Dolly Parton!—all brought to life with vibrant, saturated colors. 🌿🦋🌈

Supplies are limited, so order yours now!⬇️
tinyurl.com/Seba-cal-2026

12/10/2025

Kentucky Assistive Technology Centers provide so much for our communities!

Easterseals Redwood's renovated Assistive Technology Resource Center uses tech to increase functional capabilities. Learn more.

12/05/2025

We are pleased to announce that Austin Nugent has been hired as the new Public Policy Coordinator for CCDD. Austin brings more than 15 years of specialized experience in disability and public policy. In addition to her work with UK’s Human Development Institute, she is deeply engaged in the Developmental Disability Network, holding multiple statewide and national leadership roles with the National Disability Rights Network, Kentucky Protection and Advocacy, the Center for Accessible Living, and the Statewide Independent Living Council. She also holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in disability policy and a graduate certificate in developmental disabilities. Her personal experience supporting and advocating for family members with developmental disabilities further strengthens her insight and effectiveness. Austin is a respected voice on disability issues, and we are thrilled she is joining the CCDD team.

12/05/2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) repeals the 2024 nurse staffing rule, specifically, the numerical staffing requirements (3.48 hours per resident day, divided among various categories of nurses) and the requirement for registered nurses 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The numerical requirement reflected a modest change and would have required additional staffing, primarily in nursing homes that have the lowest nurse staffing levels. The registered nurse requirement reflected a recommendation made by experts for many decades.

Repeal takes effect February 2, 2026. Comments are due the same day.

12/02/2025

https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/2026-fellowship-application-copy/
APPLY NOW This Fellowship is for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or IDD. A SARTAC Fellowship is a 9-month self-advocacy project. Fellows learn new skills and work together to help make important information clear for everyone.
Here is what Fellows do:
Work with a host organization that supports them and helps guide their project. Join monthly calls to update the host group and share what they are working on.
Create final products that are useful and helpful to other self-advocates.
Give a presentation with their Host at a National Self-Advocacy Zoom Meeting to share their work with self-advocates across the country.
The Fellows will work on their projects for about 6 hours each week. SARTAC pays Fellows $5,000 to complete their projects. At least 5 Fellows will be chosen . DUE 12/19 A sample project is below
https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/2026-fellowship-application-copy/

We are accepting applications for our 2026 fellowship program! What is a Fellowship? This Fellowship is for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or IDD. A SARTAC Fellowship is a…

12/02/2025

Don't forget to try to win $250 by filling out the survey for our Exceptional Family Magazine! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FBHRVCT

Read the latest edition here: https://issuu.com/lexingtonfamily/docs/exceptional_family_magazine_summer_fall_2025

Welcome to Issuu’s blog: home to product news, tips, resources, interviews (and more) related to content marketing and publishing.

12/01/2025

Don't miss the next meeting of the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11AM. You may attend in person in room 154 of the Capitol Annex.
All meeting materials can be accessed online at: https://legislature.ky.gov/Committees/Pages/

Or you may watch online on the LRC live stream: https://legislature.ky.gov/Public%20Services/PIO/Pages/Live-Streams.aspx

Or on KET: https://www.ket.org/legislature

12/01/2025

Do you have a disability and have a business, talent or project that you would like others to know about? We would love to interview you for our next "Exceptional Family Magazine". Please email nicole.maher@ky.gov to be considered. Comments do not count for consideration. Thank You!

Send a message to learn more

12/01/2025

Check out this new resource: https://momentumfamilystrategies.com/

"What Happens When Mom & Dad Are Gone?"
You're not alone in asking that question.

Momentum Family Strategies™ helps siblings and aging parents navigate Life After Mom & Dad™ so adults with disabilities can live their best lives — supported, secure, and surrounded by people who care, even after Mom & Dad are gone.

Discover expert support and resources for adults with intellectual disabilities and special needs. From caregiver assistance and special needs housing to advocacy training and legal services, we provide the tools and guidance needed for disabled adults to thrive. Explore our services for disabled ad...

11/20/2025

Do you ever visit the Southeast ADA Center's website? They share great resources there and through their newsletter. Don't miss out!

News Spotlight In the News Featured Publications MORE: NewsFOLLOW: Listen. Read. Explore. Episode 147: Top ADA Questions with the Southeast ADA Center MORE: ADALive.org Newsletter Edition :…