Statewide Celebration on July 26 Commemorates 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act: Minnesotans of all abilities from across the state are invited to the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on Monday, July 26, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Minneapolis.  The event is free and open to the public. (6/28/10)

The CENSUS is coming! The CENSUS is coming! BE SURE YOU ARE COUNTED ON APRIL 1, 2010! (3/12/10)

FFY 2009 Training Conferences Cosponsorship Funds Awarded:Nineteen Minnesota organizations were recently awarded cosponsorship funds for training conferences. The conferences provide opportunities for participants to learn about best practices, and develop or strengthen their personal leadership skills. (2/19/09)

The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council and STAR (System of Technology to Achieve Results) Program are soliciting nominations for awards to recognize Minnesotans who excel in the area of assistive technology (AT). The STAR Award for Excellence in Assistive Technology recognizes outstanding individual and organizational efforts in the use, promotion and advocacy, support, research and development, and other aspects of AT in Minnesota.

The Nomination Narrative, Criteria, and Nomination Form are available on the STAR web site at www.star.program.state.mn.us. This information is also available in alternative format upon request. If you have questions or would like the nomination materials mailed to you, please call 651-201-2640. The awards ceremony will be held in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the Great Hall of the Capitol. (2/2/09)

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has issued it 2008 Annual Report.(12/29/08)

The Council's key business results for FFY 2008 (October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008) are available for review. FlashPaper Format   PDF   Text  (12/4/08)

FFY 2008 Training Conferences Cosponsorship Funds Awarded: Fifteen Minnesota organizations were recently awarded cosponsorship funds for training conferences. The conferences provide opportunities for participants to learn about best practices, and develop or strengthen their personal leadership skills. The expectation is that these training experiences will result in increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families. (4/14/08)

Recruitment is underway for the Minnesota Partners in Policymaking program, Class 26, scheduled to begin September 2008. Information about the Minnesota Partners program and an application for Class 26 are now available. Contact information is included for more information or questions. (4/2/08)

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has issued it 2007 Annual Report. (1/2/08)

The Council's key business results for FFY 2007 (October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007) are available for review. FlashPaper Format   PDF   Text  (12/12/07)

The Council State Plan FFY 2007-2011 Executive Summary (PDF Format) has been issued. (Text version) (12/5/07)

MN Dept of Admin: Partners in Policymaking® Online Learning Program Receives 2007 Digital Government Achievement Award (9/24/07)

The Partners in Policymaking® Online Courses have received a 2007 Best of Web Digital Government Achievement Award. (9/18/07)

Video: The Changing Face of Technology: Document Imaging Meets the Challenge — Customer expectations, the demand for greater efficiencies, and cost control are driving businesses to rely upon advanced technologies for solutions; and an increasing number of people with developmental disabilities are filling document imaging positions. (8/25/07)

Mndisability.gov Web Site Offers Easy Starting Point for State Government Disability Resources: Beginning June 21, 2007, Minnesotans have a single source on the Internet — www.mndisability.gov — for quick and easy access to state government-agency programs, products and services dedicated to disability issues. (6/21/07)

FFY 2007 Training Conferences Cosponsorship Funds Awarded — Nineteen Minnesota organizations were recently awarded cosponsorship funds for training conferences. The conferences provide opportunities for participants to learn about best practices, and develop or strengthen their personal leadership skills.(5/11/07)

1962-2007 Public Opinion Poll Results
In 1962, the Minnesota Department of Public Welfare contracted with Social Issues Research, Inc. to conduct 900 face to face interviews with a sample of Minnesotans that was in close approximation to the 1960 Census.

The purpose of the study was to "determine what salience does the problem of mental retardation have for the people of Minnesota?" The Arc of Minnesota was a major partner in this effort. The results were intended to be used to design a community education program to alter misconceptions about people with mental retardation.

Forty five years later, the staff of the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities  discovered a copy of the study while creating an online archive, Parallels in Time, Part 2. The Council then contracted with MarketResponse International to conduct a similar study — 800 phone interviews were made with a sample of Minnesotans that was in close approximation to the 2005 Census. The purpose of the study was to measure attitudinal changes of the general population in Minnesota during the past 45 years.

The Arc of Minnesota, The Autism Society of Minnesota, Self Advocates of Minnesota, The State Council on Disability, and United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota are major partners in this effort.

On February 22, 2007 the results of the opinion poll were released and are presented here for your review (Flash format). Also available as PDF and text-only.

This is the final version of the 1962-2007 Public Opinion Poll and includes the Attitudinal Segmentation Analysis. (Flash format. Also available as PDF and text-only. (2/22/07)

Ivan Lewis, Member of Parliament, spoke in the House of Commons on January 23, 2007 about inclusion and children with disabilities, and referenced the Partners in Policymaking program. (1/25/07)

People with Developmental Disabilities Have the Right to Vote!
Everyone wants to vote, including voters with mental disabilities. If you are a voter with a developmental disability, you should know your rights. Knowing your rights will help make sure you can vote. Print this item and take it with you when you go to vote so that you know what your rights are. PDF Version of this News Item (11/2/06)

Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and Chair Shamus O’Meara cited on Council’s 35th Anniversary

• Governor Pawlenty declares October 28, 2006, the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Day, on the Council's 35th Anniversary.
• Governor Pawlenty presents Council Chair Shamus O'Meara with Certificate of Recognition

(10/4/2006)

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has issued its 2006 Annual Report. (12/27/06)

Notice of Request for Proposals for Self Advocacy
The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is pleased to announce the availability of a total of $100,000 in federal funds under provisions of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act)(P.L. 106-402) to expand and strengthen self advocacy in Minnesota. Proposal deadline is Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. (10/30/06)

Notice of Cosponsorship Funds for Leadership Training Conferences
The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is pleased to announce the availability of a total of $20,000 in cosponsorship funds for training conferences held in Minnesota. Conferences should focus on providing best practices information and leadership skills training. The primary audience for these conferences must be people with developmental disabilities and their families. Application deadline is Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007 at  3:00 p.m. (10/30/06)

AutoMARK is an assistive voting machine that allows people with disabilities to vote privately and independently, as required by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota is interested in learning from voters who have used or will be using AutoMARK voting machines (online survey) in the November election to complete the survey about their experience. (PDF version of survey — download and mail) (10/13/2006)

The world of autism takes center stage in Mixed Blood Theatre’s world premiere production of Vestibular Sense, playing November 3–26 in the Alan Page Auditorium of the company’s historic firehouse theatre. (10/9/06)

Pathways Center: IPSII, Inc. is a nonprofit organization comprised of people with disabilities and their families. Under a youth leadership grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, IPSII, Inc. offers a leadership training program for young African American youth to increase their opportunities for employment. An online youth center, "Pathways Center," explains the program and provides links to other information and resources of interest to young adults with developmental disabilities. (9/1/06)

"The Economics of Imaging" (Video) — Digital imaging is a win-win solution for businesses that need to find a cost effective way to manage their business records and hiring people with developmental disabilities to do imaging work contributes to the success of this business venture. Learn about the savings, the benefits, and the future of digital imaging from government and private sector businesses that have hired people with developmental disabilities in digital imaging positions. (7/21/06)

"Creating the Possible" (Video Excerpt) A young adult shares his personal story, and how the services and supports that best meet his individual needs were identified through a person-centered planning approach, in this excerpt from a DVD made available from Circles Network in the United Kingdom. (7/21/06)

ServeMinnesota Urges Minnesotans With Disabilities To Consider Americorps Service: People with disabilities who have a desire to give back to the community, gain career skills and earn financial support for education are urged to consider joining AmeriCorps in Minnesota for the 2006-2007 service year. The appeal comes from ServeMinnesota, the nonprofit agency that administers the AmeriCorps program in the state. Often referred to as the “domestic Peace Corps,” AmeriCorps offers opportunities for people age 17 and older from all walks of life to serve communities. (6/26/06)

Computerworld Honors Program Recognizes State Government Reform Initiative and Digital Document Imaging Program: The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities extends our CONGRATULATIONS to the Department of Human Services on receiving an award from the International Computerworld Honors Program for its digital imaging project and hiring people with developmental disabilities to do this work. The success of this project can be attributed to an exemplary employer-employee partnership. We also want to thank Bill Harreld, Quality Culture Institute; Katie Engler, Department of Administration Information Policy Analysis Division; and Sherie and Roy Wallace, The Wallace Group, for their commitment and support of this project from concept to design to reality. (6/22/06)

Press Release
Computer World / Dept. of Humans Services Award (PDF)

FFY 2006 Training Conferences Cosponsorship Funds Awarded – Fifteen Minnesota organizations were recently awarded cosponsorship funds for training conferences. The conferences provide opportunities for participants to learn about best practices, and develop or strengthen their personal leadership skills. (4/21/06)

NASDDDS Handbook on Inclusive Meetings and Presentations — This Handbook provides guidelines to help assure that self advocates can participate in meeting discussions and contribute in meaningful ways by expressing their own points of view. (3/6/06)

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is in the process of developing a new Five-year State Plan. The direction of the Plan will reflect what people with developmental disabilities and their families, service providers and front line staff believe are the important issues to be addressed and where positive changes can be made in services and service delivery systems over the next five years. Two surveys were conducted to assist with this process — The Individual Survey (PDF) (Text version) was based on the Quality of Life survey conducted in 2000; and measured levels of independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion among people with developmental disabilities. The Provider Survey (PDF) (Text version) collected input from service providers on areas of emphasis and levels of satisfaction with those areas of emphasis. The surveys are supported by qualitative statements (PDF) (Text version), input and the personal quotes intended to supplement the quantitative results that are presented in the reports. (2/15/06)

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has issued it 2005 Annual Report. (1/26/06)

The Minnesota Department of Education, Office of Compliance and Assistance, has issued an overview of procedural safeguards for Minnesota parents with children who are receiving special education services. Please note that this is for Minnesota only. (10/14/05)

"Workers with disabilities get a boost from digital conversions" — An October 6, 2005 Minneapolis Star-Tribune article spotlights the document conversion project at the Minnesota Department of Human Services. (10/07/05)

The US Department of Justice is providing an online course that explains how the ADA applies to businesses called "Reaching Out to Customers with Disabilities." (9/27/05)

ADD Notice: Emergency Preparedness: Emergency preparedness links and checklists for people with disabilities are available on ADD’s web site at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/add/resources/dispub.html. (8/11/05)

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disability has completed a survey of 600 Minnesota employers across a broad range of organizations and businesses. The purpose of the survey was to identify and measure issues and perceptions that are barriers to increasing the employment of people with disabilities. (text version) (7/01/05)

For legislative alerts and updates, please visit The Arc of Minnesota web site at www.thearcofminnesota.org. (6/01/05)

The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities has released a summary of their FS 360 Proposal, a one stop family support center to assist at least 50 targeted families on an annual basis in the Near North neighborhoods of Minneapolis. (6/01/05)

The Department of Human Services and Olmsted County report successful digital document imaging projects employing persons with developmental disabilities. (6/01/05)

Governor Tim Pawlenty has announced the appointment of Derek K. Nord to the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. (5/03/05)

On April 6, 2005, the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities awarded funds to local self advocacy groups so that self advocates could attend a conference, host a conference, work with other cultures, or make a speech or teach other self advocates about self advocacy. (4/15/05)

Human Services Research Institute has issued a Status Report on Litigation Concerning Home and Community Services for People with Disabilities. This periodic report provides up-to-date information about lawsuits concerning Medicaid community services for people with developmental and other disabilities. (3/10/05)

Governor Pawlenty Appoints Fifteen to the Minnesota Governor's Council On Developmental Disabilities — Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the appointment of Anne Barnwell, Roberta Blomster, Margaret Fletcher-Booth, Brian Gustafson, Anne L. Henry, Kathryn Jacobson, Nina Moss, Linda Obright, Jeffrey Pearson, Connie Roy, Barbara Schultz, Jeffrey Skwarek, Virginia Strand, Stacey A. Vogele, and Susan Wehrenberg to the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. (3/1/05)

An expert from the New Jersey Institute of Technology has published an article recommending 16 easy, affordable ways to make homes safer for people with disabilities. (3/1/05)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act Guide to Frequently Asked Questions(PDF) summarizes the changes that were made to IDEA as a result of the recent reauthorization. (Text Version) (3/1/05)

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities has issued its 2004 Annual Report and Business Results for 2004. (10/28/04)

The Land Management Information System (LMIC) has created a series of mapping modules based on an in depth analysis of the 2000 Census data. This analysis includes information that is categorized by disability, age, and employment status. The mapping modules allow users to create customized maps and data tables that can be included in documents, reports, or grant proposals. (8/31/04)

MN Disability Law Center has prepared a series of Fact Sheets based on the input of individuals with disabilities and families who participated in focus groups, and identified their needs and expectations around family support services. (8/20/04)

The Minnesota Citizens Form on Health Care Costs released its final report, Listening to Minnesotans: Transforming Minnesota's Health Care System, on February 23, 2004. Click here to download a copy of the report. (6/30/04)

A Summary of Town Hall Meeting Notes, Themes from the Town Hall Meetings, and the results of a Minnesota Health Care Opinion Poll Study document some of the work the forum has accomplished to date to address this critical issue. (6/30/04)

Former U.S. Senator from Minnesota David Durenberger delivered a presentation to the DD Council on health care costs on June 2, 2004 and his presentation is available in PDF format. (6/30/04)

2005 Training Conferences Cosponsorship Funds Awarded —These conferences focus on leadership training, and provide participants with best practices information to learn and strengthen their personal leadership skills. (12/15/04)

People with disabilities encounter both blatant and subtle forms of discrimination when seeking organ transplants. This document is a supplement to an article, "Running the Transplant Gauntlet," that appears in the December 2004 issue of Exceptional Parent. (12/2/04)

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has issued a white paper on Organ Donation that includes people with disabilities, Health Care at the Crossroads. (7/16/04)

NPR: "Brown v.Board: Disabled Children" Prior to the 1970s, children with disabilities seeking education could not attend public schools and were either sent to private schools or state institutions and lived there under horrible conditions. Lawyers went to court using the Supreme Court's Brown v. the Board of Education decision, and argued that children with disabilities deserved the same equal education that black children won years earlier. (5/13/04)

2004 Training Conference Cosponsorship Funds Awarded: The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities recently awarded cosponsorship funds for training conferences to eight (8) organizations in the state. These conferences focus on leadership training, and provide participants with best practices information to learn and strengthen their personal leadership skills. (4/16/04)

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities has issued its 2003 Annual Report. (2/04)

Digital Imaging to Employ People with Developmental Disabilities and the Records Management Handbook provide information for digital imaging employment projects. (3/04)

Governor Tim Pawlenty has announced the appointment of Margaret Fletcher-Booth, Sheryl Larson, Shamus O'Meara, Dan Reed, Jim Varpness and Jerrold Wood to the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. (02/09/04)

From May 2002 to August 2003, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities piloted a digital imaging project. During this time, 18 people with developmental disabilities (view portrait) successfully scanned more than 27,000 pages of Council records and historical documents. This experience has been converted to a package of information about digital imaging - a Records Management Handbook and Digital Imaging to Employ People with Developmental Disabilities. (PDF format) (12/29/03)

A new Customer Evaluation of Electronic Government Services was prepared for the Council and is now available for download in PDF format. (11/15/03)

An Interview with Ed Roberts, internationally recognized as the father of the independent living movement, founder of the World institute on Disability, and Director of the California Department of Rehabilitation (1975-1983). This interview appeared in California Monthly magazine in February 1985, and is a download in PDF format. (7/16/03)

2003 Training Conferences Cosponsorship Funds Awarded: Nine Minnesota organizations were recently awarded cosponsorship funds for training conferences. These conferences provide best practices information, focus on leadership training, and provide opportunities for participants to learn and strengthen their personal leadership skills. (4/21/03)

FFY 2002 Annual Report Summary: Every year the GCDD prepares an annual report for the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD). The annual report describes what the GCDD did with the federal funding and what was achieved. (2/14/03)

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities celebrated its 30th anniversary in October 2001. Our annual report for FFY 2001 includes a 30-year retrospective, highlighting the Council's contributions to making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families. (8/15/02)

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Legal Services Advocacy Project, invites you to a "Listening Post" session designed to provide you with current information on federal and state telephone assistance programs, and to listen to your thoughts on how to let others know about these programs. Two identical sessions are planned for September 10 & 11. (8/02)

Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) Program Survey Results: Survey results indicate the program has been successful and appreciated by participants ... (7/2/02)

2002 Training Conferences Cosponsorship Funds Awarded — Ten Minnesota organizations were recently awarded cosponsorship funds for training conferences. These conferences emphasize leadership development, and will build and strengthen the personal leadership skills of people with developmental disabilities and their families. (4/12/02)

Governor Appoints Twelve to Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (February 21, 2002, St. Paul, MN) Governor Jesse Ventura today announced the appointments of Ella Gross, Emily Knight, Nina Mae Moss, Jeffrey Skwarek, Virginia Smith and Sarah Thorson and the reappointment of David Dunn, Anne Henry, Sharon Heuring, Steve Larson, Ordean Rosaasen and Thomas Schwartz to the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. In addition, the governor also reappointed Jackie Mlynarczyk chair of the council. (2/21/02)

The Council has issued a request for proposal: "Strengthening Self Advocacy in Minnesota." Deadline for submission is January 29, 2002 (12/12/01).

Information about an upcoming workshop for MN Partners graduates can be found at the Government Training Service (GTS) web site (www.mngts.org). (11/15/01)

The video photo essay on Willowbrook State School in NY, by William Bronston, M.D. has been adapted as an online slide show. (10/19/01)

The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities is seeking applications from people with developmental disabilities and parents of children with developmental disabilities to serve on the 25-member Council. Applications are due before Dec. 1, 2001. (10/15/01)

The Council has issued an informative Executive Summary of its Five Year Plan outlining its mission and goals. (10/10/01)

"What We Learned About Customer Satisfaction": A report on the process the Council used to evaluate the satisfaction/dissatisfaction levels of people with developmental disabilities and their families with government services and IIPI. (8/20/01)

Biet Issie Shapiro in Israel, a non-profit organization providing services for people with developmental disabilities and other special needs and their families, is hosting their Third International Conference on Developmental Disabilities in July of 2002. More information is available at their web site: www.beitissie.org/conference. (8/3/01)

Highlights from the MN DD Council 2000 Annual Report are now available on this site. (7/30/01)

The MN DD Council has issued a request for proposals for outreach programs to the Native American, Hispanic and African American communities. The complete request for proposal is viewable on this site and is available as a printable PDF file. (4/16/01)

Cosponsorship funds for training conferences were awarded at the April 4, 2001 Grant Review Committee meeting. Conference Title: "Music for Social Change", May 26, 2001. (4/09/01)

Governor Jesse Ventura announces the appointments of Ann Zick, Patricia Tietz, Bonnie Jean Smith and Cynthia Yongvang, Kathryn Jacobson and Jackie Mlynarczyk to the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. (3/20/01)

February 7th Event Honors Minnesotans Who Helped Achieve the Shift to Community Living — 2001 is the first year where all citizens with developmental disabilities are freed from institutional care facilities. (3/01/01)

2001 Training Conferences: Cosponsorship Funds Awarded — Seven Minnesota agencies/organizations were recently awarded cosponsorship funds for training conferences. These conferences will focus on leadership development, and strengthening the leadership skills of people with developmental disabilities and their families. (2/01/01)

Access Board Issues Standards for Electronic and Information Technology (2/01/01)

The Guided Tour: A Travel Program and Vacation Program for Persons with MR/DD Challenges. (2/01/01)

Negotiation skills workshop for Partners graduates (1/15/01)

Notice of Cosponsorship Funds for Leadership Training Conferences (1/15/01)

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Advisory Panel of the Social Security Administration (SSA) is holding a series of public meetings to obtain public input across the country. To be sure that your comments are considered, SSA must receive them no later than February 26, 2001. (1/15/01)

Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch was recognized at the Council's October 4, 2000 meeting for the leadership he has demonstrated in supporting the civil rights of people with disabilities. (10/7/00)

The White House has a newly updated web site which will give users quicker and easier access to the wide range of on-line information and services provided by the White House. (7/7/00)

The U.S. Department of Education has announced a new Web site to showcase the government's efforts to help America's infants and preschoolers with disabilities and their families. (6/27/00)

President Clinton and Vice President Gore have announced major new "e-Government" initiatives to enhance the availability of online government information, including grant opportunities. (6/24/00)

Bill Coffelt, President of the Oaks Group has been putting together a web site devoted to the Community Imperative that will feature its history, some of the events that led to the signing, and some of the people directly involved. (6/23/00)

The Next Generation of Leadership Millennium Summit, for emerging leaders 35 and under, will take place Thursday, August 17 through Saturday, August 19, 2000 at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. (6/23/00)

Register to Vote On-Line. A web site called ELECNET has voter registration information and allows disable persons in some areas to register to vote online. (6/23/00)

State Plan FFY 2001-2003 — our proposed goals for the next three years. (4/7/00)

Disability Rights Exhibit at the Smithsonian July 6, 2000 (3/15/00)

Highlights from our 1999 Annual Report (3/15/00)

Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities receives 1999 Minnesota Quality Award (3/15/00)

Cosponsorship Funds Awarded For Training Conferences. (3/15/00)

National Family Support Grant — A new choice for getting payment for people receiving Federal benefits (3/15/00)

Subscribe to the White House Disability Outreach Listserv (2/20/00)

Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities 25th Anniversary 2 Volume CD-ROM (07/01/99)

HCFA Determines that "the most integrated setting" standard applies to Medicaid programs (07/01/99)

Excerpts from "Connections That Make a Difference in the Lives of Youth": An ADD Health study focusing on how communities influence the health of adolescents. (03/26/98)

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