Self-Advocacy

Goal:

The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will foster an environment that empowers and supports Delawareans with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed lives.

Objectives:

• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will support the development of a self-advocacy group in Delaware utilizing the existing framework of National Disability groups.
• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities including families and allies to participate in capacity building activities through education, training, and access to resources.
• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will make available training opportunities to professionals with regards to behavior and non-verbal signs (health care professional, educators).

Education and Early Intervention

Goal:

The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will advocate to strengthen education policies and programs, as well as empower students and their families through education and resources.

Objectives:

• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will train and support parents and allies to become empowered to serve as advocates.
• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will support Delawareans with disabilities and their families/ caregivers by coordinating informal group meetings with speakers covering various topics, promote sharing of mentorship and peer support opportunities.
• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will provide support and assistance to people with DD/ID and co-occurring serious and persistent mental illness.

Housing

Goal:

The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will support the development and distribution of training and resources that will improve access to affordable, accessible, and integrated housing in the community for Delawareans with developmental disabilities.

Objectives:

• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will collaborate with strategic partners to develop a plain language digital resource library on legal rights and access to accessible, affordable, integrated housing for use by advocates and self-advocates.
• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will promote and support people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds to be included at the table on all major Delaware housing committees.

Health/Healthcare

Goal:

The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will utilize its advocacy efforts to promote accessible healthcare among Delawareans with disabilities.

Objectives:

• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will identify opportunities to eliminate institutional bias by changing default planning in transition services towards home and community-based settings.
• The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council will provide training and resources to assist individuals with I/DD with a focus on the African American community or for whom English is not their first language, to become empowered, effective advocates for their own health. As a result, this group will experience better health care interactions and health outcomes.