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| National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities |
| Abbreviation | NACDD |
| Formation | 1970s |
| Type | Nonprofit advocacy organization |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Location | United States |
| Region served | United States |
| Membership | State and territorial developmental disabilities councils |
| Leader title | Executive Director |
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities is an American nonprofit association that represents the collective interests of state and territorial developmental disabilities councils. The organization links Americans with Disabilities Act advocates, Rehabilitation Act stakeholders, and Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act-mandated councils to influence federal policy, program design, and systems change. NACDD serves as a hub connecting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, SAMHSA, Administration for Community Living partners, and state offices to advance independent living, inclusive employment, and community integration for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The association traces its roots to the formation of state developmental disabilities councils following the DD Act of 1975, paralleling early disability rights milestones such as the Rehabilitation Act and movements around the Section 504 protests. NACDD developed amid national networks like The Arc, Easterseals, and Autism Speaks as councils sought coordinated federal advocacy, echoing strategies used by organizations such as the National Council on Independent Living and the AAIDD. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s NACDD engaged with policy events including amendments to the Medicaid HCBS waivers and debates around the ADA. In the 21st century NACDD responded to initiatives from the HHS and collaborated on implementation issues tied to Olmstead v. L.C. decisions and federal rulemakings from CMS.
NACDD's stated mission aligns with statutory goals in the DD Act and partners such as ACL, emphasizing systems change, self-determination, and improved service outcomes. Objectives include promoting inclusive employment consistent with Ticket to Work priorities, advancing community living in line with Olmstead v. L.C. jurisprudence, and supporting family-centered services endorsed by entities like MCHB and CDC programs. The association emphasizes cross-sector alignment with DOL workforce policies, SSA disability benefits strategies, and evidence-based practices championed by National Academy of Medicine-affiliated research.
Membership comprises state and territorial developmental disabilities councils established under the DD Act, alongside associate partners such as The Arc, CQL, and grassroots organizations like Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE). NACDD's governance model echoes nonprofit federations such as NGA and NCSL with a board of directors drawn from council chairs, elected officers, and ex officio representatives from agencies like ACL and HHS. Regional groupings reflect patterns used by networks including AUCD and allow coordination across jurisdictions such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
NACDD administers capacity-building initiatives similar to technical assistance programs from CDC cooperative agreements, and training curricula informed by UCEDD research. Major initiatives address employment pipelines modeled on DOL demonstrations, crisis prevention aligned with SAMHSA guidelines, and transitions to community living consistent with Olmstead v. L.C. remedies. NACDD convenes policy academies, peer learning collaboratives, and data-driven projects that integrate measures from NCI and evaluation frameworks used by Mathematica and RAND.
NACDD influences legislation, rulemaking, and federal appropriations by coordinating testimony before congressional committees such as the House Education and Labor Committee and the Senate HELP Committee. The association has filed comments on CMS rules, engaged in coalitions with ASAN and NDRN, and partnered with The Arc on campaign strategies similar to those used in ADA advocacy. NACDD's policy work spans Medicaid policy, workforce development initiatives from DOL, and implementation of DD Act priorities overseen by ACL.
NACDD collaborates with federal agencies including ACL, CMS, and SAMHSA and with national organizations such as The Arc, Autism Speaks, and AUCD. Funding streams include federal discretionary grants, cooperative agreements, foundation grants from entities like Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Kessler Foundation-style philanthropy, and membership dues analogous to models used by NASADAD. NACDD also engages consultants and research partners including Mathematica and Urban Institute for program evaluation.
The board structure follows nonprofit governance practices observed in organizations such as NCD and NASMHPD, with an executive director managing day-to-day operations and council representatives serving as officers. Leadership has included former council chairs and policy directors who liaise with federal officials at HHS, ACL, and congressional staff on DD Act reauthorization and budget priorities. NACDD convenes annual meetings, regional assemblies, and leadership academies modeled on practices from NGA and NCSL to sustain strategic planning and succession.
Category:Disability organizations based in the United States