State Plan for 2022 – 2026
The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities proposes the following goals and objectives for its advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities during fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to contribute to a coordinated, consumer- and family-centered, consumer- and family-directed, comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life in accordance with the findings, purposes, and policies in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000.
GOAL 1: Quality of Life and Sustainability of Services - The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities will promote opportunities to improve the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities through increased access to sustainable assistive technology and services.
● OBJECTIVE 1.1: By 2026, increase the access for at least 150 individuals with developmental disabilities to assistive technology pertaining to the areas of emphasis as defined in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) through collaboration with at least five (5) state departments and agencies and analysis of their existing programs and benefits.
● OBJECTIVE 1.2: By 2026, provide assistive technology to individuals with developmental disabilities for the purpose of enhancing quality of life by providing start-up funding for sustainable service models in at least five (5) organizations.
● OBJECTIVE 1.3: By 2026, increase the sustainability of services and programs being offered to the developmental disability community by providing technical assistance on social enterprise practices for generating sustainable funding sources to recipients of Council funded grants.
GOAL 2: Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination - The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities will promote self-advocacy and self-determination opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
● OBJECTIVE 2.1: By 2026, assist marginalized communities to access and understand the available programs and services pertaining to the developmental disability community offered by state-wide governmental agencies and departments, local boards of education, and other local agencies by providing information and support to at least 20 local advocacy organizations
● OBJECTIVE 2.2: By 2026, inform individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers about their civil, housing, employment, and educational rights through at least ten (10) information sessions and the creation, compilation, and distribution of pamphlets, graphics, and other digital media in collaboration with at least six (6) civil-rights or legal advocacy organizations.
● OBJECTIVE 2.3: By 2026, collaborate with at least five (5) self-advocacy groups to assess and address the needs of the developmental disability community with the intent of developing self-advocacy, self-determination, and professional skills.
GOAL 3: Outreach, Training, and Policy Advocacy - The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities will increase outreach, training, and policy advocacy programs to encourage diversity and inclusion and empower families, legislators, and community leaders to be empathetic advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities.
● OBJECTIVE 3.1: By 2026, provide the Governor with an annual review and analysis of all existing statutory councils pertaining to the developmental disability community with the intent of encouraging and enhancing accountability, diversity, and efficiencies, in addition to, identifying under-supported, redundant, or inactive councils.
● OBJECTIVE 3.2: By 2026, train and educate at least 150 parents, caregivers, and siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities to build connections, cultivate leadership and advocacy skills, learn about the responsibilities of being a caregiver/care-coordinator, and develop healthy self-care practices.
● OBJECTIVE 3.3: By 2026, provide trainings to at least 150 professionals including but not limited to educators, law enforcement officers, public officials, public employees, and medical professionals on disability awareness, appropriate responses to challenging situations, and how to identify and interact with people with developmental disabilities.