Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council

A new bipartisan resolution in Congress focuses on the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in their homes and communities.

H.Res. 1586 highlights the importance of community living and the protections established through the Olmstead decision.

Want to learn more or share your thoughts with members of Congress?

Read our latest LaCAN Alert:
https://conta.cc/4AQ2mHu

A new five-year plan starts today!

The Council’s 2027–2031 Five-Year Plan sets the direction for our work over the next five years, with a focus on:

• Advocacy and leadership
• Health and community supports
• Education and employment

We also have a new 2027 Action Plan that shows what we’ll be working on this year.

See what’s ahead for the Council and the work we’ll be taking on across Louisiana:
https://conta.cc/46RI8iT

The LaDDC 4th Quarter Committee and Business Meetings will be held October 28-29, 2026. Click below to see the full meeting schedule.

https://conta.cc/47nzFE2

The Council's Legislative Ad Hoc Committee will meet Oct. 15 at 10 AM.

Help us come up with our advocacy goals for the 2027 Legislative Session.

See how you can be involved:
https://conta.cc/4hQ2qiK

Reminder! Don't forget to apply for the upcoming 2027 Partners in Policymaking class. Click below to read more.

https://conta.cc/4yZhoZG

A federal judge has approved an agreement in Texas v. Kennedy that removes parts of HHS’s Section 504 rules about community living.

Section 504, the ADA and the Olmstead decision are still in place. However, removing these rules may make it less clear how federal protections for community living will be applied and enforced.

Read our plain-language update on what changed, what did not change and what happens next:
https://conta.cc/4ySQCC1

Many people think disability services only affect people with disabilities.

The truth is that community supports help:
- Older adults age in place.
- Family caregivers continue working.
- Children stay connected to their families.
- Rural communities maintain access to care.
- Local businesses fill essential jobs.
- Healthcare systems reduce unnecessary hospital visits.

Strong community supports create stronger communities and stronger local economies.

Learn more here: https://nacdd.org/home-sweet-home/

State of Neurodiversity in Baton Rouge conference happening October 1st. Registration link below. Fee is $50, but scholarships are available for individuals and families so they can attend.

Reach out to Capital Area Autism Network for more info or questions about registration.

6 weeks until The State of Neurodiversity in Baton Rouge. Early registration keeps growing — join providers, families, educators, and self-advocates for a full day built around connection. Register today.

Register: https://www.caanbr.org/state-of-neurodiversity-annual-conference

Many people use the word institutions to describe segregated settings. Here are other words that can mean the same thing in common language and policy language.

Plain Language:
- Large facilities
- Residential facilities
- Care facilities
- Facility-based care
- Group facilities
- Congregate care settings
- Separate care settings
- Places that separate people from their communities

Policy/Legal Language:
- Institutional settings
- Segregated settings
- Congregate settings
- Facility-based settings
- Residential institutions
- Institutional care
- Long-term care institutions
- Restrictive settings
- Non-community settings

Learn more and find out how you can help preserve home and community based services here: https://nacdd.org/home-sweet-home/

Louisiana is part of a federal lawsuit that could affect rules that help people with disabilities live and get services in their communities.

Learn more about Texas v. Kennedy and what happens next:
https://conta.cc/46eKs38