IL Council on Developmental Disabilities

Here is a message from the Going Home Coalition and RevUP Illinois

Building the Power of the Disability Vote
Voter Registration Event

Tuesday, September 29, 2026
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
UCP Seguin
3100 S. Central Avenue, Cicero

OPEN DOOR EVENT — DROP IN ANYTIME!

Last week, we joined advocates across the country in recognizing National Disability Voting Rights Week and this year’s theme, “Be an Accessible Democracy Defender.”

But the work continues!

Join us on September 29 for a Voter Registration Event at UCP Seguin. We’ll be helping people with disabilities register to vote, learn about their voting rights, and get the information they need to make their voices heard.

No appointment is needed. Stop by anytime between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM!

People with disabilities continue to face barriers to voting, including inaccessible polling locations, transportation challenges, and a lack of accessible voter education. We are working together to break down those barriers and build the power of the disability vote.

Check Out this new video from 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 takes you inside the everyday experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they build connections, explore opportunities and participate in the communities they call home.

From work and recreation to friendships, outings and new experiences, this video celebrates choice, independence and belonging while showing the impact of having the right supports in place.

Watch and see how meaningful community participation can help people with IDD live full, connected lives.

Our Life In The Community Self-advocates from the Going Home Coalition share about their live...

Save the Date

What: Veto Session Advocacy Day
When: Tuesday, November 17, 202612 p.m.
Where: Springfield, Illinois

For more information and questions, contact [email protected]

September 14 through September 18 is Disability Voter Rights Week.

Know Your Rights
Know Your Power

Vote Privately and Independently

Vote in a way that is accessible to you.

Tip: If you vote in person, ask to use the accessible voting machine or ballot marking device!

Get help with any part of the voting process from a person of your choice.

Note: States may have rules about who can or can not help you vote.

Check your state laws when you make your plan.
Disability Voting Rights Week

Aapd.com/disability-voting-rights-week/

This photo is shared from the page of The Arc of Illinois. The poster is connected with the American Association of People with Disabilities and the RevUp Program.

Here is a message from Engage Illinois about a presentation on September 22:

Across Illinois, parents and organizations are working to build progressive support for our young adults so they can build a life in their chosen community.

Most of us are using Home-Based funding to pay for programs and support, and we know first-hand that this stipend is not enough to support a person-centered life.

ENGAGE IL PRESENTATION ON HOUSING AND ADVOCACY

TUESDAY, SEPT 22
6:30 – 8:00 PM
VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING

Register at this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/j8oH5rR/VirtParED41426?source_id=90b75ec4-ed53-49bf-b736-b95c7d6b6439&source_type=em&c=6zrOR4l8Iro-Tbc2vLkDRSNig2XohuzWPWdZH08CR4G0rgb0h57YMw==

Come to learn about:

Advocacy work by Engage IL (www.engageil.org) to help families create person-centered lives for their loved ones in their community of choice.

Our Deep Dive work with the Division of Developmental Disabilities to provide feedback based on real lived experience using CILA funding.

A better understanding of how housing solutions and support services need to work together for a person-centered life in the community.

Register for the September 22 Session at this Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/j8oH5rR/VirtParED41426?source_id=90b75ec4-ed53-49bf-b736-b95c7d6b6439&source_type=em&c=6zrOR4l8Iro-Tbc2vLkDRSNig2XohuzWPWdZH08CR4G0rgb0h57YMw==

Engage IL SIBS Presentation Engage IL Presentation on Housing and Advocacy.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸

September 14 through September 18 is Disability Voter Rights Week.

Here is a piece about the significance of Disability Voter Rights Week written by Alexia Kemerling and published on the American Association of People with Disabilities Blog.

𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿: Join Disability Voting Rights Week 2026

Small Actions, Collective Power: Join Disability Voting Rights Week 2026 - AAPD Each year, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) celebrates Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW). This year, DVRW takes place September 14–18, 2026. Started by grassroots activists in Texas 10 years ago, DVRW celebrates community and builds the power of the disability vote th...

Here is information from the Federal Resource page on the Illinois Healthcare and Family Services Website.

This page is intended to “help stakeholders understand how federal funding cuts contained in HR 1 will impact Medicaid, which covers roughly 1 in 4 Illinoisans.”

The page includes resources in the HR 1 Phase 2 Tool Kit, which was posted recently and information about periodic webinars. The next webinar is scheduled for this Tuesday, September 15.

Here is the September 15 webinar information:

HR1 Module 6:

Common Questions and Answers Regarding Medicaid Changes
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Central Time)

For more information, including webinar registration information, visit the Federal Resource page: https://hfs.illinois.gov/info/fedresctr.html

The Protect Our Care Coalition is hosting a free virtual conversation on September 16, 2026.

What:

Community Conversation, HR1 and Illinois Medicaid: Navigating the Changes Ahead

When:

📅 Tuesday, September 16, 2026
🕐 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST

Where:

💻 Virtual (Zoom Webinar)

This conversation will cover:

• What's changing with Illinois Medicaid because of HR1
• How these changes could impact Illinoisans who rely on Medicaid
• Practical steps you can take to help reduce harm to your clients, patients, and community members

Please Register at this Link: https://aidschicago-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m15AsXVVSfW16BwtsJJDNQ #/registration

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) was delighted to welcome a group of visitors from Japan today to the ICDD Chicago Office. The University of Illinois Chicago facilitated the visit. The group from Japan included Direct Support Professionals and staff from Developmental Disability (DD) Provider Agencies in Japan. The group will be in the region into next week, visiting other groups and agencies for discussions about the DD community.