DD Council seeks public comment on 5-year plan
By Mindy Ragan Wood/Editor/CommentaryWhat will advocacy look like in the next five years for people with developmental disabilities?
If there are issues that are a thorn in your side, like the appalling job market for people with disabilities or unreliable transportation —you need to offer comment for the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council’s five year plan.
DD Council is accepting public comment until March 31 for its 5-YR plan from 2027-2031.
Advocacy starts with you.
The council is a federally mandated advocacy board whose members are appointed by the governor.
The council met last month (and I cringe to admit I missed it) to solidify initiatives it will develop through 2031.
The areas include the following:
Equitable access
Inclusion and advocacy
Stronger support systems for families
The specifics can be found on their website, but in a nutshell the plan seems to be focused on helping families navigate resources, and advocate for competitive employment and behavioral health support. It also emphasizes a push to train caregivers, and strengthen or expand pathways for people with developmental disabilities to advocate for policy.
Be advised that once you start the survey, you cannot save it and complete it later.
Last year, the council worked with Oklahoma Human Services to gather feedback from more than 700 people. It also reviewed available state and federal data to develop a preliminary plan.
Public comment will be open until March 31.
You can also view the existing plan overview and the exhaustive plan, which expires this year.
