Jon,


The holidays are upon us, and the new year is fast approaching!


As families across the state plan their holiday celebrations and travel schedules, we wanted to check in and provide a few updates for December. Take the steps needed to keep your celebration inclusive, hear from Kasey Hodges in our Member Spotlight, explore upcoming Community Events and check out news you may have missed and more. GCDD will be also be hosting its quarterly meeting on December 14, and we would love for you to attend.


No matter the reason for your season, we hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday surrounded by family, friends and food.


Happy Holidays!

GCDD Staff

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and celebration. Join GCDD in providing inclusive holiday celebrations for all Arkansans by taking the following into consideration.


Sensory Overload

From savory smells to flashing holiday lights, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. But too much of something can prove overwhelming for people with disabilities.


Gift Wrapping

Everyone loves unwrapping a gift during the holidays, but a tightly-bound gift can be difficult to open. Simplify your gift wrapping this season or get crafty with tissue paper, ribbons and other items!


Traveling

Whether traveling by plane, train, car or bus, be aware of your surroundings and make sure you're not blocking accessibility entrances and exits. We're all in a rush, but kindness goes a long way!


Seating/Gatherings

Let's face it -- there are never quite enough chairs to seat everyone at a holiday celebration. No matter what your solution is, please ensure ample seating is available and there are ramps and entrances for guests in need.


Advocacy starts with you, and what better time to spread joy and advocacy than during the holidays? Click the button below for more great tips on keeping the holiday season inclusive.

Learn More

Member Spotlight:

Kasey Hodges - State Plan and Implementation Committee

Kasey is a multifaceted businesswoman and advocate from Springdale, Arkansas. She serves on the GCDD State Plan and Implementation Committee (SPI). As a member of SPI, she provides vital input and the perspective of a person with lived experience in navigating Arkansas's service system.

One focus of the members of the SPI committee is to ensure that state plan implementation activities promote system change to improve and expand services/support for individuals with developmental disabilities and provide opportunities for choice in services they receive.

Kasey has extensive work experience in various roles. Currently, she works as the Ethics and Mission Integration Director at Arkansas Support Network. Before joining Arkansas Support Network, Hodges worked as a Freelance Graphic Designer. She has always had a love for the arts and has been drawing on a computer since childhood. As a digital graphic designer, she works in formats inspired by pop art, graphic novels, graffiti/murals and other relatable, powerful, and accessible media. 


Thank you, Kasey, for your service! 

Community Events

There's always something exciting happening on the

Community Connections Calendar - Check it out!


December 14 - GCDD Quarterly Meeting (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)


December 16 - Adults on the Autism Spectrum Support Group (10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

  • 2913 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72205



Have an event to add to the calendar? Send a submission to GCDD!

The News Corner

LinkedIn

Follow Our LinkedIn!

GCDD shares insightful articles and resources on LinkedIn to help community members, business owners and leaders in Arkansas become better advocates.

Share Your Story

Have you participated in one of our activities or funded program activities (training, events, etc.)? We would love to hear your story. Please share the impact that participating in our sponsored activity made in your life!


Download and fill it out electronically (or print the form, fill it out, scan it) and email it to our staff at ddcstaff@dfa.arkansas.gov to submit your story. You can even mail it to our office at Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Arkansas, 1515 W. 7th Street, Suite 320-330 Little Rock, AR 72201



Thank you!

Download the Form
Arkansas Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities | (501) 682-2897 | gcdd.arkansas.gov
Facebook  Twitter  Youtube  Linkedin