A Digital Newsletter from NCCDD

July 2023

Letter from the Executive Director

Talley Wells

Big update! Just before July 4th, Independence Day, we got great news for North Carolina’s Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) community. 1915(i) was approved to begin!

1915(i) will enable many more individuals with I/DD, particularly those who are on the waiting list, to live more independently. However, the state warns that “it will take time for providers in the community to build capacity to provide these much-needed services.”

Learn More from Talley Wells

Public Policy Update

Read public policy highlights as of July 11, 2023, from the federal and state levels, including:

Federal appropriations agreement that will cut funds for services like special education, housing, and vocational rehabilitation;

1915(i) approval; and

New collection of resources by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Review the Public Policy Update

Celebrate. Learn. Share. - ADA 33 and the Year Ahead

It has been 33 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

The purpose of the ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. This year’s ADA theme is “Celebrate. Learn. Share.” and you can participate all year long in keeping the ADA in the forefront of all North Carolinians.

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Understanding the NC ABLE Program: Basics and Information

NC ABLE helps people with disabilities save money without impacting their Social Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid supplements. Designed for those whose disability occurred before the age of 26, funds saved in the NC ABLE account help cover a variety of qualified disability-related expenses.

Understanding the NC ABLE Program: Basics and Information webinar will be offered online July 31 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. for those who register here. Zora Falkowski, NC ABLE Communications Officer with the Department of NC State Treasurer, will be the presenter.

Learn more

North Carolina Seeks Your Input on Proposed State-Funded Service Definition Policies

Between now and August 5, the NC Department of Health and Human Services is seeking the advice and feedback in developing new or amended State-funded service definition policies.

The policies being reviewed and re-defined include:

Community Living and Support
Supports Service Definition
Residential supports I/DD Service Definition
Supported Employment Service Definition
Supported Living Periodic I/DD and TBI Service Definition

Learn More

August 16 - Self-Advocate Series Talks Housing!

The next webinar in NCCDD’s Self-Advocate Series is all about housing! The webinar, hosted on August 16, 2023 at 1pm via Zoom, will cover information on available, affordable, accessible, and safe housing options for people with disabilities.

We will hear from an expert panel that will share experiences, insight, resources and advocacy tips. As always, we’ll have time to hear from YOU! What does an ideal living situation mean to you as a self-advocate? What do we need more of when it comes to living where we want to and with whom we want to?

Learn More

Highlights and Hot Topics now available in audio.

Socialize with NCCDD!