Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council

10/07/2026

📢 The Derek’s Promise Task Force will meet again on Tuesday, October 13 at 9:00 a.m. through Microsoft Teams.

The task force is studying gaps in healthcare and crisis services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Your voice is important. People with I/DD, families, caregivers, advocates, providers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend and follow the task force’s work.

📅 Tuesday, October 13
⏰ 9:00 a.m.
💻 Virtual through Microsoft Teams

Learn more and find the meeting link, agenda, and materials from the September meeting in our latest LaDDC News.
https://conta.cc/4dstfHv

10/06/2026

Louisianans with Disabilities have a right to accessible voting. Elections are coming soon. Make Your Plan to vote.

Louisiana’s upcoming election is Tuesday, November 3rd. Early voting starts on October 20th and runs through October 27th. Polls are closed on Sunday, October 25th.

Elections and polling places must be accessible to people with all types of disabilities. Making a plan to vote ahead of time will help avoid problems on Election Day.

GeauxVote has a pamphlet that talks about the ways that people with disabilities can get the assistance they need for voting: https://www.sos.la.gov/elections-voting/disabled-elderly-citizens.

Want help making sure you get the accommodations you need? You may be able to find answers and help by contacting:

Disability Rights Louisiana - 1-800-960-7706, www.DisabilityRightsLA.org.
Your local registrar of voters - https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/registrar.
The Secretary of State’s Election hotline and webpage - 1-800-883-2805
The Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs - 225-219-7553
GeauxVote.com

10/02/2026

A new bipartisan resolution in Congress focuses on the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in their homes and communities.

H.Res. 1586 highlights the importance of community living and the protections established through the Olmstead decision.

Want to learn more or share your thoughts with members of Congress?

Read our latest LaCAN Alert:
https://conta.cc/4AQ2mHu

10/01/2026

A new five-year plan starts today!

The Council’s 2027–2031 Five-Year Plan sets the direction for our work over the next five years, with a focus on:

• Advocacy and leadership
• Health and community supports
• Education and employment

We also have a new 2027 Action Plan that shows what we’ll be working on this year.

See what’s ahead for the Council and the work we’ll be taking on across Louisiana:
https://conta.cc/46RI8iT

09/29/2026

The LaDDC 4th Quarter Committee and Business Meetings will be held October 28-29, 2026. Click below to see the full meeting schedule.

https://conta.cc/47nzFE2

09/28/2026

The Council's Legislative Ad Hoc Committee will meet Oct. 15 at 10 AM.

Help us come up with our advocacy goals for the 2027 Legislative Session.

See how you can be involved:
https://conta.cc/4hQ2qiK

09/26/2026

Reminder! Don't forget to apply for the upcoming 2027 Partners in Policymaking class. Click below to read more.

https://conta.cc/4yZhoZG

09/25/2026

A federal judge has approved an agreement in Texas v. Kennedy that removes parts of HHS’s Section 504 rules about community living.

Section 504, the ADA and the Olmstead decision are still in place. However, removing these rules may make it less clear how federal protections for community living will be applied and enforced.

Read our plain-language update on what changed, what did not change and what happens next:
https://conta.cc/4ySQCC1

09/18/2026

Many people think disability services only affect people with disabilities.

The truth is that community supports help:
- Older adults age in place.
- Family caregivers continue working.
- Children stay connected to their families.
- Rural communities maintain access to care.
- Local businesses fill essential jobs.
- Healthcare systems reduce unnecessary hospital visits.

Strong community supports create stronger communities and stronger local economies.

Learn more here: https://nacdd.org/home-sweet-home/

09/11/2026

State of Neurodiversity in Baton Rouge conference happening October 1st. Registration link below. Fee is $50, but scholarships are available for individuals and families so they can attend.

Reach out to Capital Area Autism Network for more info or questions about registration.

6 weeks until The State of Neurodiversity in Baton Rouge. Early registration keeps growing — join providers, families, educators, and self-advocates for a full day built around connection. Register today.

Register: https://www.caanbr.org/state-of-neurodiversity-annual-conference