Get Involved

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) assists people with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families and supporters to attend conferences. Funds are available to help pay for speakers and presenters whose work supports NCCDD’s goals—like improving systems, supporting advocacy, and helping communities to include people with I/DD and their families. There are two funds available.

Jean Wolff-Rossi Fund for Participant Involvement

The Jean Wolff-Rossi Fund for Participant Involvement (Rossi Fund) is designed to empower people with I/DD and their family members with opportunities, experiences, resources and information so they can actively participate in decisions that often impact them. 

Individuals with I/DD and their family members can receive reimbursement for specific expenses for seminars and conferences that aim to improve their knowledge, networking and skill levels for advocacy.

Learn more and apply for Rossi Fund

The NCCDD makes all decisions on the disbursement of funds. Applicants receiving Rossi funds will be asked to complete a Rossi Fund Participant survey to share what they learned.

Conference/Speaker Funding

The Council’s Conference/Speaker Funding program is a way for NCCDD to advance its goals by sponsoring conferences. Many factors are used when determining whether to fund conference meeting space, accessible accommodations, or a presenter. 

Learn more and apply for Conference/Speaker funding

"Unmet: North Carolina's Two Developmental Disability Crises" is a 25-minute film commissioned by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities. It shows the real-life situations of individuals with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and what it looks like when their needs are unmet.

The Council has hosted multiple screenings to welcome the community inside the homes of people with I/DD to show the real stories and experiences when needs are unmet.

Previous Screenings include:

• April 17, 2023 (virtual)
• May 10, 2023 (Greenville, NC)
• June 9, 2023 (Asheville, NC)
• March 23, 2024 - Spanish-language film showing (Charlotte, NC)

Host Your Own Unmet Film Watch Party!

The Council has now released the film for organizations, nonprofits, and individuals to host a watch party to have meaningful discussions, while sharing with NCCDD what you think about the film and the crisis. Here's how you can participate:

1. Complete this form below to request a link for the film for your watch party.
2. The person who has made the request will receive access to the film upon approval from NCCDD.
3. At the end of your screening, you will be asked to complete a short survey. 

Register today!

The Self-Advocate Discussion Series is hosted by North Carolina on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) every third Wednesday of the month. The series aims to keep North Carolina self-advocates informed and engaged in discussion on topics of social and systems change. Series sessions are a time to connect with others with lived experience, share common interests, develop impact strategies for telling personal stories, and stay connected with the NCCDD community.

What you can expect:

• Self-advocate leaders and presenters;
• Engaging presentations and videos;
• Current topics of interest; and
• Community event announcements for self-advocates.

2025 Schedule

January 15, 2025: Planning for Our Future

More people with disabilities are thinking about who will support them as they get older. More family members who are getting older are thinking about who will support their loved one with a disability as they both get older. Whether you are worried about the future or know exactly what future lies ahead for you, join us this session to share your story and hear from others. During this panel session, we will hear from individuals with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD), parents, and family members. We will have Future Planning experts and Benefits Specialists on hand to offer resources and answer questions.

Watch the January webinar recording: English | Spanish

February 19, 2025: Safely Interacting with Police

Learn what NCCDD is doing to train first responders, including law enforcement officers (police), on how to understand and interact appropriately with people with I/DD to reduce the chance of anyone getting injured or worse during these interactions. Also, learn tips for how people with I/DD and their caregivers can stay safe while interacting with law enforcement officers. Meet and talk with Dustin Chandler of the Interaction Advisory Group. Dustin is a former law enforcement officer, a current Emergency Medical Technician, and the father of a child with I/DD. He trains first responders on how to understand and interact appropriately with people with I/DD. 

Watch the February webinar recording: English | Spanish

March 19, 2025: Organized Advocacy

Organized Advocacy is where relationships and advocacy come together. Join NCCDD to hear about the grassroots efforts of the disability rights movement. Come share a story about what organized advocacy is like today. We’ll discuss different types of advocacy - like the difference between educating and lobbying – and how sharing your story is important to improve communities for people with I/DD. 

Watch the March webinar recording: English | Spanish

April 16, 2025: Transportation
Back by popular demand: Transportation and travel for people with disabilities! We will talk about ground, water, and air transportation, as well as public, private, accessible, and community-supported transportation systems. We will hear from experts who will share experiences, insights, and advocacy tips. As always, we’ll have time to hear from YOU! What does ideal transportation mean to you as a self-advocate? What do you need more of when it comes to getting around and going where you want to and when you want to go? If you are passionate about improving transportation and traveling for people with disabilities in North Carolina, please join us.

Watch the April webinar recording: English | Spanish

May 21, 2025: Adulting with I/DD
Mainstream sources say that “adulting” means to behave in an adult manner, engage in activities associated with adulthood, and attend to the ordinary tasks required of a responsible adult. In this session, guests and attendees with I/DD will share some of their adulting stories related to relationships, working, playing, and just plain living. Have you used a “bailout plan” on a date? Has a stranger ever asked you personal questions that started with “Because you have a disability…?" Do you have a story about your first or best kiss? Join us and share your stories about adulting as a person with I/DD. 

Watch the May webinar recording

June 18, 2025: Art - Direct Benefits and Advocacy Tool
Art is a powerful tool for advocacy. In this session, we will be joined by professionals in the arts who are also self-advocates. Join us and learn how you can use your own creative gifts to showcase the value of people with disabilities through art. 

Watch the June video recording

July 16, 2025: ADA 35th Anniversary
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. Throughout the year and on the ADA Anniversary (July 26), the ADA National Network recognizes this landmark event and the important work to promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Join us to celebrate, share, and learn.

Watch the July video recording

August 20, 2025: Assistive Technology
This session will be led by the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP). The NCATP is a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services statewide to people of all ages and abilities. NCATP leads North Carolina's efforts to carry out the federal Assistive Technology Act of 2004 by providing device demonstration, short-term device loans, and reutilization of assistive technology. NCATP promotes independence for people with disabilities through access to technology. 

Watch the August video recording

September 17, 2025: Public Input for NCCDD's Five-Year Plan

This will be a Developmental Disabilities Public Input Session for individuals with developmental disabilities, families and the community. We want to hear from you on: 

• Your disability related priorities (school, Medicaid, employment, and more)
• Your hopes and dreams
• Hurricane Helene

This will help NCCDD plan our work as your developmental disability organization for the next five years and to take your opinions to state and local leaders. 

Watch the September video recording

October 15, 2025: Getting Active in Advocacy
This session is dedicated to North Carolina Disability Leadership Training Graduates. Join leaders with lived experience from the Ability Leadership Program of North Carolina, I/DD Peer Mentor Training Program, and members of the NC Advocacy Leaders Network (graduates from PIP, ASL, LEND, GRIP, STIR, and more) who will be spotlighted to share their stories about the training they have participated in and the advocacy experiences they engaged after training. Please join us to hear from some of the state’s finest and most successful advocacy leaders. 

REGISTER HERE

November 19, 2025: Cheer, Humor, and Fun

Get ready for the holiday season with music, comedy, works of art, jokes, storytelling, and more. This month, we will spend our time exchanging joy and laughter. Join us for an afternoon of lighthearted merriment! Come ready to share what brings you joy, what you do for fun, and how you engage in play.

REGISTER HERE

December 17, 2025: Gifting as a Self-Advocate

We will discuss what it means to make an impact, and share stories about how small acts of kindness can make a bigger impact than we think.

REGISTER HERE