Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities

10/15/2026

❌ "Unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities is a form of disability discrimination."
📩 You can use this form to help write or call your Congressional Representatives: https://ncil.org/advocacy-action/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f139983%2fRespond

H.R. 1586 is an opportunity for Congress to reassert America’s commitment to the right of disabled people to live in our communities at a time when this administration is seeking to undermine that freedom.

DREDF and the Defend Community Integration Coalition applaud the introduction of H.R. 1586, a bipartisan House resolution upholding disabled people's right to live and receive services in our homes and communities.

For decades, federal law has recognized community integration as a civil right. Section 504 regulations required services to be provided in the most appropriate integrated setting. Congress affirmed that principle, and the ADA recognized that isolation and segregation of disabled people is a serious form of discrimination. More than 27 years ago, the Supreme Court’s Olmstead v. Lois Curtis decision affirmed that isolation of disabled people is discrimination under the ADA.

Now that the integration mandate is under attack by an administration that seems to believe that disabled people should go back to institutions, H.R. 1586 has the opportunity to send a clear, bipartisan message that disabled people belong in our communities, and our freedom will be defended.

We thank House Disability Caucus Chairs Representatives Debbie Dingell and Brian Fitzpatrick for leading the resolution, along with its bipartisan cosponsors. And we urge every member of Congress to cosponsor H.R. 1586.

Contact your representative today and ask them to sign on.

https://dredf.org/take-action-res-1586/

10/14/2026

"COMMUNITY LIVING MEANS CHOICE. People with DD should be able to
choose where they live and receive the supports they need."

Rural communities often face additional challenges accessing services.

Community-based supports help people remain in the towns and communities they call home instead of moving far away to receive care.

This means:

- Families stay together.

- Local schools retain students.

- Small businesses keep customers and employees.

- Rural communities stay vibrant and connected.

Where you live should not determine whether you can receive the support you need.

Community-based supports benefits everyone!

Learn more on our Home Sweet Home page here: https://nacdd.org/home-sweet-home/

10/14/2026

Seven tips to teach your kids how to Treat People Like People:
1. Welcome Curiosity
2. Keep Answers Simple
3. Use Positive, Inclusive, Person First Language
4. Model Inclusive Behavior
5. Celebrate Human Diversity
6. Learn About Disabilities Together
7. Support Inclusive Friendships

Check out this and other shareables at https://treatpeoplelikepeople.org/downloadsandsharables/

10/13/2026

"When people with disabilities speak up, vote, and get involved, we help shape a future where everyone has the opportunity to be heard, included, and valued."
https://nacdd.org/my-voice-my-vote-why-voting-and-disability-advocacy-matter-to-me/?fbclid=IwY2xjawU7K59leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5Zw-xY5iuBm0u6bsBgEFEYmzI87gJ7G4lYe0j4KRIsAGYSFriSl06vgQ7jIg_aem_u9FOMji31P2Gc7WjvE0GMg
DIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5Zw-xY5iuBm0u6bsBgEFEYmzI87gJ7G4lYe0j4KRIsAGYSFriSl06vgQ7jIg_aem_u9FOMji31P2Gc7WjvE0GMg

Did you know that this is Disability Voting Rights Week? Khalen Wright, NACDD Intern, recently shared his perspective in an article titled My Voice, My Vote: Why Voting and Disability Advocacy Matter to Me.

An excerpt from the article:
“For a long time, I didn’t fully understand how much voting could impact my life as a person with a disability. Now I realize that voting isn’t just about Election Day—it’s about having a voice in decisions that affect our everyday lives.”

Read Khalen’s full article here:
https://nacdd.org/my-voice-my-vote-why-voting-and-disability-advocacy-matter-to-me/

10/09/2026

"When asking takes more energy than doing it alone, you learn to adapt before you ask."

09/30/2026

United States of Care is starting a 2-year study where they will pay Idaho Medicaid participants to share their experiences with new Medicaid Work requirements.
Ready to sign up? Fill out the form at http://bit.ly/44F3KOc
*Federal law does not require people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, among others, to meet the new work requirements.*

09/29/2026

On October 1st, we're moving to a new address!
📍5657 E Warm Springs Ave, Boise, ID 83716
🌲We will share an office with Department of Parks and Recreation

09/29/2026

Idaho has its own ABLE Savings Plans! If your disability began before age 46, you may be eligible to receive help toward financial empowerment.
Check out https://idahoable.com/ for more info!

Through a three-year cooperative agreement, Northwestern University will lead a national effort to help increase enrollment in ABLE accounts and improve financial literacy among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and other disabilities.

09/28/2026

At Our recent September Community Now! meeting, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and family members discussed the need for safeguards for people with disabilities under comprehensive managed care.

Here's an article with information from Thursday's Medicaid Review Panel meeting that addresses the move to managed care.

Idaho legislators on the Medicaid panel heard updates on the process of moving the state’s Medicaid program to privatized managed care.

06/29/2026