Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities

The entire KCDD team was excited to host a Kansas Working Healthy meeting/presentation last week! A huge thanks to Liz Long, Working Healthy Director, for meeting us at the newest Golden Scoop location in Overland Park and facilitating the meeting. We had the privilege of hosting a productive meeting on three important work incentives available for Kansans with disabilities: the WORK program, the STEPS program, and Working Healthy. In addition to Liz Long leading the meeting, we had amazing staff from Down Syndrome Innovations and from the Golden Scoop present. Together, we discussed how these programs help individuals with disabilities achieve independence in everyday tasks, find meaningful employment, and keep jobs long-term. The key takeaway? There are real opportunities for Kansans with I/DD to work and to have the support they need to keep their job in competitive, integrated, employment. This is something that every family in Kansas needs to know! Please help spread the word! Share information about these work incentives with your networks to ensure more Kansans benefit from these valuable resources. For more information about each of these services, visit:

?? We All Matter Support Group – Meeting #2! ?? Join us for our second meeting of the We All Matter support group! Whether you're a teen or an adult with I/DD, you are welcome to connect, share, and be heard in a supportive environment. ?? Date: December 6th ? Time: 4:30-5:30PM ?? Location: Zoom (Register to get the zoom link at https://lnkd.in/g9xSPsif) This is a safe, judgment-free space where we uplift each other. It's a chance to talk about mental health, share your thoughts, and find strength in knowing you're not alone.

Time is Running Out: Demand Fair Wages for People with Disabilities Today! Act NOW: STOP paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage! We need your help! Your quick action will make a difference. Urge Kansas’ US Senators Marshall and Moran to support fair, competitive wages for people with disabilities and cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA)!

KCDD recently received word from KDADS that the go-live date for the MFEI I/DD Implementation and the interRAI Service Planning has been extended to March 1, 2025. This adjustment reflects our commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for individuals and service providers. For more details on this update, please refer to the official announcement on the KDADS website:

It’s time for bold and necessary shift toward equity and dignity in employment for people with developmental disabilities. NACDD’s latest position statement, The Urgent Need to End 14(c) and Sheltered Workshops, emphasizes the importance of phasing out subminimum wage programs under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Happy Election Day! If you haven’t already, we hope you get a chance to get out and vote!

National Disability Employment Awareness Month may be coming to a close, but the conversation about innovative employment solutions for people with disabilities doesn't have to end! Watch all of the sessions from the Heartland Disability Employment & Innovation Symposium, an event that brought national leaders in disability and employment together at the Kansas State Capitol. This event, along with the incredible insights, and thought-provoking conversations that took place there would not have been possible without the help of KCDD's partners, @The Harkin Institute, @National Down Syndrome Society, and @CareSource. #NDEAM

Are you looking to make new friends? Join KCDD’s new mental health support group for individuals with IDD ?? We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive space for people to connect with others, have support, and build genuine friendships. We want to provide a supportive environment where everyone can feel safe and accepted. Register at https://lnkd.in/g9xSPsif

"SSDI and SSI are supposed to help but actually it doesn't. It puts a limit on a person's right to dream without limits." Ruby "SunShine" Taylor, founder of Financial Joy School, shared her perspective on Entrepreneurship as Employment at the Heartland Disability Employment & Innovation Symposium, an event that brought national leaders in disability and employment together in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This event was made possible by KCDD's amazing partners, The Harkin Institute, National Down Syndrome Society, and CareSource.

We asked self-advocates at the SPEAK UP Conference how they would describe self-advocacy in one word. Comment one word YOU would use to describe self-advocacy ?? #SPEAKUpKCDD #DisabilityAdvocacy #Empowerment #InclusionRevolution #AdvocacyInAction #DisabilityRights #LeadWithPurpose #AccessForAll #CommunityImpact #Inclusivity #AdvocacyMatters