Welcome to the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities
“Dedicated to the pursuit of dignity and justice, authentic community inclusion, cultural competency, and self-determination for all New Hampshire residents with developmental disabilities.”
The New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities is a federally funded agency that supports public policies and initiatives that remove barriers and promote opportunities in all areas of life. The Council is independent of the agencies that provide services to people with disabilities. The Council develops a State Plan every five years to establish specific goals, objectives and strategies to address the most important issues affecting people with developmental disabilities in New Hampshire. The Council carries out its mission through education, advocacy and the funding of innovative projects that make a difference in people's lives.
NACDD Statement in Support of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
Washington, D.C. -- The National Association of Councils for Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is proud to support the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRRA) introduced on National Voter Registration Day, September 19, 2023.
“Access to the ballot is critical for democracy, yet people with disabilities often face substantial obstacles to exercising their right to vote,” said Robin Troutman, Deputy Director, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. “The Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder made it easier for states to pass laws that make it harder for people with disabilities to vote. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would reassure all Americans that their access to voting is protected and that states cannot put in place practices that discriminate against minority voters and voters with disabilities.”
In recent years, laws restricting voting include actions such as curbing access to mail voting and implementing stricter photo ID requirements for voter registration or in-person voting can have a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities. The VRRA updates the Voting Rights Act to provide critical safeguards that would prevent states and localities with a recent history of voter discrimination from enforcing voting laws that have the effect of discriminating against minority and other voting populations at the polls or during an early voting period.
Congratulations to the Direct Support Professional and Home Provider of the Year!
The public is welcome to celebrate with us on
September 15, 2023, at 10:00 am
Kimball Jenkins lower lawn
266 N Main St, Concord, NH 03301
The Coalition of Caring Planning Committee is pleased to announce 
The 17th ANNUAL NEW HAMPSHIRE CAREGIVER’S CONFERENCE
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Courtyard Marriott/Grappone Conference Center
Concord, New Hampshire
www.coalitionofcaring.org
Online Registration: https://bianh.salsalabs.org/17nhcc
Featuring Keynote Speaker Becky Rule 
"We Cried So Hard We Laughed:
Stories From New Hampshire Caregivers"
If you would like to be added to our email list :
To receive digital copies of the Disability RAPP and Stepping Stones magazine, as well as other
information about events and activities, please email Vanessa.A.Blais@ddc.nh.gov.
Check out our Bonus Episode of That’s Inclusive! with Sheila Vargas from the Nature Conservancy NH
Sheila Vargas, the Community Partnerships Manager at the Nature Conservancy, talks with Blake Tyler about involving the community in planning accessible outdoor recreation, how preset notions send a false message that nature is only for certain people, and how the work to make the outdoors more inclusive to everyone continues.
Learn more:
The Nature Conservancy in NH
The Cedar Swamp All Persons Trail
The All Persons Trail at Ossipee Pine Barrens
#Trails4All
#NHTrails4All
Bonus Episode Sheila Vargas, All Access Trails transcript
The NH Council on Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD) announces the Peter Fleming Best Buddies Leadership Grant
Peter Fleming dedicated his life to advocating for people with developmental disabilities. He served as Vice Chair of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities, as a Special Olympics athlete, coach, and Board member, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Self Advocacy Leadership Team (SALT) and was a founder of the New Hampshire Chapter of Best Buddies.
In his honor, the NHCDD has developed a new grant that will award two individuals per year with up to $500 towards the cost of attending the annual Best Buddies National Leadership Conference. This grant will support building leadership and advocacy skills necessary to make inclusive and integrated communities a reality. This grant will ensure that the work done by Peter and other advocates will continue.
Peter attended the National Leadership Conference for twelve years. For eight of those years, he served on their Advisory Board. He spoke often on how much the conference meant to him and how important it was to share what he learned with his fellow SALT, NHCDD members, and state legislators.
Peter passed away in early 2020. He is deeply missed by all of those who were privileged to work alongside him. It is the hope of the NHCDD that his legacy will continue through the next generation of advocates.
For more information on this grant on others, please check out the NHCDD web site at www.NHCDD.NH.gov or contact Vanessa Blais at Vanessa.A.Blais@ddc.nh.gov / 603-271-7040.
Congratulations to LEND trainee, Victoria Munoz for completing the 2023 New Hampshire-Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program (NH-ME LEND)!
NH-ME LEND aims to increase the numbers of leaders in the maternal and child health workforce, increase the leadership capacity of the workforce, and address health disparities in our region through high quality interdisciplinary training.
Victoria’s policy work for the DD Council will be a great benefit to us for years to come.
Check out our latest issue of Stepping Stones Magazine! Stepping Stones sheds light on what it truly means to live an inclusive life! This issue includes our updated disability network resource guide.
If you are interested in being on the Stepping Stones Magazine or Disability RAPP mailing list, please email Vanessa.A.Blais@ddc.nh.gov.
