CT Council on Developmental Disabilities

08/25/2026

The Council on Developmental Disabilities serves on the ABLE CT Advisory Committee and we would like to help to improve the ABLE CT program by informing the State Treasurer about the needs and concerns of people with developmental disabilities who may be eligible for the program.

Please share your questions, concerns, and suggestions about the ABLE CT program via email to [email protected] .

Thank you.

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07/27/2026

Attention self-advocates and friends!
People First of Connecticut will sponsor its annual conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Bristol, Connecticut, on Saturday, September 12.
This is a conference produced by self-advocates for self-advocates (and their friends!)
The theme of the conference is Nothing About Us Without Us and the keynote speakers will be Scott Masson and Lauren Traceski. They will share their journey through marriage and adult life.
The conference will also feature workshops about -
- legislative advocacy,
- supported decision making,
- supported employment,
- assistive technology,
- supported living,
- and more!

Register to attend or to sponsor this event at
https://www.ctpeoplefirst.com/event-details/nothing-about-us-without-us-people-first-of-ct-theme-2

Please join us!

Space is limited. Register now.

2026 People First Of CT conference Come join self-advocates from all over CT! Speakers and breakout sessions, where you can learn about things that are important to you. There will be a continental breakfast, boxed lunch, and afternoon snack. We hope to see you there!

06/25/2026

The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities seeks partners who share our values and who can help us to achieve our objectives.

Our Request for Grant Applications (RFA) for federal fiscal year 2027 is now posted on our website at
https://portal.ct.gov/ctcdd/grants/grants/grants-home-page.

Applications are due by August 15, 2026.

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06/08/2026

Dear Friends,

Here is a link to the new strategic Goals and Objectives that the Council is proposing for our next five-year State Plan:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ctcdd/content/draft-goals-and-objectives-2026.pdf .

The Council solicits public comment on our new priorities. Please share this link. Public comment may be addressed to [email protected].

If you wish, we would be happy to personally brief your organization on these objectives. Please reply if you would like to discuss or schedule a presentation.

Thank you.

05/26/2026

The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities commends Jordan Scheff for his many beneficial contributions to the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. He has been resolute in improving person-centered, home- and community-based services. We will miss Jordan, and we wish him the best in the next stage of his journey. The Council now looks forward to working with Commissioner Velardo to sustain home and community based services and supports for individuals who live with developmental disabilities in Connecticut.

Press Release Homepage Governor Lamont Announces Commissioner Jordan Scheff Leaving the Department of Developmental Services, Names Elisa Velardo as Successor 5/26/2026 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Commissioner Jor...

05/05/2026

At 10:00 a.m., next Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in its regular bimonthly meeting, the Council will present the goals and objectives that it proposes for its next strategic five-year State Plan.

The meeting of the Council is open to the public via Microsoft Teams at
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/271382920563684?p=ltjUsKkPKxOhpZoMBd
Meeting ID: 271 382 920 563 684
Passcode: nW3NN92J

The proposed goals and objectives are posted on the Council website at
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ctcdd/content/draft-goals-and-objectives-2026.pdf

The public may send comments to the Executive Director at [email protected] .

04/25/2026

The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities will hold a virtual public forum at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, via Teams, where we will present new objectives for the Council.

Stand by for the Teams link whereby the public may attend and comment.

You may review the current and previous objectives of the Council via this link:

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04/03/2026

Can we talk?

Just a word, or few.

We are gratified when we see people follow us on Facebook. Thank you. By following us, you validate the work that we do.

We don't shout (much) and we don't post about every thing that we do in a day. Our website (https://portal.ct.gov/ctcdd) describes who we are and what we do, though you can see that it is not current and is in need of updates. We do not have Comm staff. We do not have IT staff. We spend our time and money on research, analysis, engaging our partners and policy makers, and in meaningful public forums to advocate, to build capacity, and to change the system for the better.

Anyone with questions or suggestions for the Council should feel free to send an email to [email protected].

Thank you.

03/30/2026

Let's bring Connecticut into the 21st Century!

In 1981, the United States redefined "developmental disability" in terms of functional needs instead of select clinical diagnoses. Since then, all other states have adopted functional definitions for disability, while Connecticut has held to archaic medical criteria for eligibility. The Land of Steady Habits.

If you are in need of assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), or you need any Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) as determined by a standard functional assessment such as the Katz Index, Lawton IADL Scale, or the Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale, then it really should not matter what "disease" you have or not. Assistance should be rationed in accordance with individual level of need, not by categorical presumptions about medical diagnoses.

Connecticut House Bill No. 5557 is a start. This bill would align the definition of "intellectual disability" in Connecticut General Statutes with the meaning as provided in the DSM-5, which now encourages a more comprehensive view of the individual. Then the State could adopt standard functional assessments to ensure that those with the greatest needs are served, regardless of clinical labels.

Let's do this now. It's the right thing.