The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) will be bringing you the lastest news for people with developmental disabilities to keep you informed during the coronavirus pandemic. To see more information, visit our COVID-19 Resource web page.

Here are a few opportunities for self advocates to participate and share their stories about their experience during this Coronavirus pandemic. Please see the following:

• Examples of how and why HCBS is critical to people with disabilities during COVID-19 - due April 10th
• AUCD collecting stories from people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on COVID-19 effects
• NDRN needs your help to protect the rights of students with disabilities

HBCS Critical to People with Disabiities and Older Adults

Sens. Casey, Brown, and Warren are asking for examples of how and why home and community based services (HCBS) are critical to people with disabilities and older adults during this public health emergency. You can help by sharing your stories, photos and videos about what HCBS means to people with disabilities and the direct support professionals and personal care attendants who support them. 

Share what HCBS means to you by sending stories to [email protected] by April 10th. You can also share your story, photo or video on Twitter with the hashtag #WhatWeNeed.

Please remember that once you share a story online it is public, so please make sure to respect the privacy of anyone you include in your stories. 

Stories Needed about Impact of COVID-19 on People with Disabilities

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities is collecting stories from people with intellectural and developmental disabilities about how COVID-19 affects them. Congress is writing the next bill to respond to the needs of Americans in this crisis. In order for the needs of people with disabilities and their families to be addressed in the next bill, members need to hear about the real impacts. Often, a short personal story is helpful for them. Below are tips and tools to share your story.

Important to include:

• How services and supports have been impacted by social distancing and how this impacts you
• Examples:
  • Not being able to go to school, work, community activities, day program
  • Not being able to have in-home or community support (Direct Support Professionals, aides, personal assistants, nurses)
  • Medical and other appointments being canceled

What to send in a story:

• A picture of you at home; members of Congress need to SEE all of us
• Story template
  • "My name is ___________ and I am _______(a person with disability, family member, friend ). I am from _______ (town and state). The COVID-19 emergency has ________ (stopped services - explain which). I am worried about ____________ (explain what the impact is). I know you are working on the fourth relief package for COVID-19. I want to learn more about how you are going to help people with disabilities in this package. Thank you very much for your time."

How to send a story: 

• AUCD is happy to compile stories and send them to your members of Congress and to Congressional leaders. If you want us to send your story simply email it to [email protected].
• If you want to send your story directly to your members of Congress, the best way right now is via email. If you need help locating the right email addresses for your members please email [email protected].
• More information can be found here. 

No Education Waivers Necessary

The National Disability Rights Network is sending messages to Congress telling them not to adopt any waivers for educational services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos will report to Congress in the next few weeks and could recommend education waivers that would allow schools to drop services for students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rights of students with disabilities are on the chopping block. Here's the latest:

Congress has requested Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recommend education waivers that would allow schools to drop services for students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. While schools are designing innovative new ways to bring the classroom to students who are quarantined at home, Secretary DeVos is devising ways for them to skip providing that same innovation to students with disabilities!

We need your help!

You can do your part to protect the rights of students with disabilities by emailing your Representative and Senators and telling them not to adopt any waivers for educational services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Fill in the information here to take action!