The country's Councils on Developmental Disabilities were created in 1970 through the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) to engage in advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activities that "contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family-centered, comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports." These activities enable people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) to "exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive and be integrated and included in all facets of community life."

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) is one of the 55 Councils in the United States and territories authorized under the DD Act. The NCCDD works on behalf of over 177,000 North Carolinians with ID/DD and their families.

Our Mission

The NCCDD works collaboratively, across the state, to assure that people with I/DD and their families participate in the design of, and have access to, needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all areas of community life, through culturally competent programs. The Council awards its funds to help communities become more inclusive of people with I/DD and to promote the goals of the DD Act for all North Carolinians with I/DD and their families.

Our Members

The NCCDD is made up of:

• People with I/DD;
• Family members;
• Representatives of State agencies concerned with I/DD;
• Legislators; representatives from other DD Act agencies; and
• Provider and Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organization representatives.
• Members of the NCCDD are appointed by the State's governor.

Quarterly meetings are open to the public.

Our Initiatives

NCCDD receives federal funds from the US Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), NCCDD makes funds available promoting innovate solutions in a variety of areas: employment, education, leadership development, home and community living and primary health care. The initiatives are in accordance with the federal DD Act and the Council's Five-Year State Plan, and are made available primarily through competitive bids or Requests for Applications (RFAs).

Updated: February 2015

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