St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources

04/02/2026

Join the Missouri History Museum at 5:30 PM on April 8 for a sensory-friendly evening.

The event is designed for guests of all ages with disabilities and their companions. Experience a welcoming, inclusive environment with adjusted lighting and sound levels to create a comfortable atmosphere—all while the Museum is closed to the public.

Enjoy engaging activities including storytelling, crafts, and a music-making room. Relax while hanging out and petting the therapy Duo Dogs. Explore the exhibits on your own or during short, guided tours of the 1904 World’s Fair and Collected exhibits. Let your creativity soar by designing your own museum exhibit using artifacts you can touch, and visit resource tables hosted by partner organizations.

While this program is free, registration is required using this link.
https://mohistory.org/events/sensory-friendly-evening

04/01/2026

Check out this podcast interview with Director of Service Coordination Samantha Montgomery!

🎙️ New episode of the Accessible Podcast! Advocacy in Action continues with Samantha Montgomery from the St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources.

She shares an inside look at how disability service systems work, and why access to supports can look dramatically different depending on where you live.

Together, we explore how funding structures, policy decisions, and local resources shape real-life outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities—and what it takes to advocate for more equitable systems.

Topics include:
- How “service deserts” limit access to critical supports
- Why location plays a major role in available services
- The central role Medicaid plays in service access
- How Missouri’s Senate Bill 40 boards help fill local gaps
- Why understanding funding systems strengthens advocacy
- The power of education in driving meaningful change
- How policy decisions impact day-to-day lives

🔗 Listen now: https://linktr.ee/accessiblepod
🎥 Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/umkcihd

04/01/2026

Washington University’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center is hosting the Adolfo and F***y Rizzo Special Symposium: Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders – Connecting Research and Community.

This free community event will bring together researchers, clinicians, self-advocates, families, and community members to share the latest research and perspectives on autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

The symposium will take place on Wednesday, April 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the Washington University Medical Campus.

Learn more and register here:
https://iddrc.wustl.edu/adolfo-and-fanny-rizzo-special-symposium/

03/31/2026

Join our partner St. Louis Arc for "Planning Forward", an eight-week series tackling the crucial aspects of planning for the future for individuals with IDD ages 27 and older.

Planning Forward is designed to help individuals and caregivers address vital questions for their or their loved one's long-term well-being. From housing to legal and financial planning, this series will provide insights across six life domains, helping you prepare for what lies ahead.

Attend in person or via Zoom every Thursday at 6:00PM beginning April 2.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Carrie Sleme at 314-797-1746.

03/30/2026

What a great turnout for the St. Louis Housing Authority's Jamboree!

The afternoon was packed with resources for community members at allstages of life!

03/30/2026

Not sure who qualifies for developmental disability services?

DD Resources can help guide you through the steps to determine eligibility. You do not have to navigate the process alone.

Visit stldd.org/TCM to learn how to apply or contact our team for assistance.

03/26/2026

When Shanise joined St. Louis Arc's Parents Learning Together (PLT) program, she was pregnant and seeking support to build a better future for her family. PLT helps parents who have intellectual or developmental disabilities to safely and successfully raise their children and to support the children’s health, education and development. Through her work with PLT, Shanise grew more confident in her role as a parent and learned how to meet her son Cornell’s needs. She found stable housing, kept up with medical visits, and worked through the steps to get Cornell speech and occupational therapy. She also supported his enrollment in special education services through the St. Louis Public Schools. Shanise’s willingness to learn, ask questions, and speak up for her son has made a big difference in his development.

Shanise’s growth as a parent has been at the heart of her success. She is always there for her child at appointments, school meetings, and every step in between. She has built a strong, stable home and continues to set new goals, including going to college to study culinary arts. Her dream is to one day own a restaurant and buy a house for her family. Her story is a reminder that with the right support, persistence, and care, parents can create lasting change for their children.

To learn more about Parents Learning Together, visit: https://www.slarc.org/programs/adulthood/parents-disability/

To learn more about the impact of DD Resources' funding, check out our annual report at:https://stldd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DDRFY25-Annual-Reportc.pdf

03/24/2026

Navigating developmental disability services can feel overwhelming.

DD Resources provides Targeted Case Management to help individuals and families understand their options, apply for services, and build a plan aligned with their goals.

If you’re not sure where to start, start with us.
stldd.org | 314-421-0090

03/23/2026

The Missouri Disabled Water Ski Association (MDWSA) aims to get everyone off the dock and into the water. Whether it’s through specialized equipment or a team of volunteers, MDWSA is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to experience the pure freedom of adaptive water skiing.

It’s more than just a sport; it’s about community, confidence, and the waves around you.

Learn more about MDWSA and see their upcoming calendar of events at MDWSA.org

03/20/2026

Registration is open for the 2026 Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities (AADD) conference. The AADD conference includes both in-person and virtual participation options.

The conference aims to bring aging and developmental disability professionals together to learn about best support models and practices, as well as the most current information on aging with a developmental disability.

Find additional information, including the conference brochure, registration link, and hotel information, on the AADD website at the link below.
https://www.agingwithdd.org/conference/

03/20/2026

The Eastern Region Alliance has been named a 2026 honoree of the What’s Right with the Region Award by FOCUS St. Louis in the category of Improving Equity and Inclusion. The four county Developmental Disability Boards that make up the Eastern Region Alliance are the Productive Living Board (St. Louis County), Developmental Disability Advocates (Jefferson County), the St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources (St. Louis City), and the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board (St. Charles County).

The Alliance was created to strengthen coordination among the four Boards while ensuring each remains accountable to the voters who fund developmental disability services through local property taxes. By aligning funding standards, applications, and reporting systems, the Alliance has reduced duplication and simplified processes for agencies that operate across county lines.

For funded partners, this means fewer administrative hurdles and greater capacity to focus on delivering high-quality services. For the community, it ensures property tax dollars are used more efficiently, allowing a greater share of resources to support direct services and expanding access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This recognition from FOCUS St. Louis honors the Alliance’s collaboration and shared commitment to responsible stewardship. Together, we will continue working to ensure that local tax dollars support effective services and reach as many individuals and families as possible across our region.

03/19/2026

Join us at the Community Autism Expo on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the St. Louis County Library Clark Family Branch.

Discover resources and connect with over 50 local organizations supporting individuals with autism and their families. This event is free and open to all ages.

For more details, visit https://www.slcl.org/events/community-autism-expo