Disability News and Information

El Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Misuri anuncia una oportunidad de financiación de 20 000 dólares para una innovadora asociación de autosuficiencia

March 6, 2023

El Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Misuri (MODDC) aprobó 20 000 dólares para financiar un proyecto de autosuficiencia de 12 meses de duración para personas con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo (I/DD). El objetivo general es fomentar enfoques innovadores para la autosuficiencia en el estado de Misuri. Estos enfoques eliminarán barreras para las personas…

MODDC announces $20,000 funding opportunity for innovative self-advocacy partnership

March 6, 2023

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) has approved $20,000 to fund a 12-month self-advocacy project for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The overall goal is to support innovative approaches to self-advocacy in the state of Missouri. These approaches will remove barriers for people with I/DD. Project applications are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday,…

Legislative Update: Employment And Health Assurance

February 17, 2023

We had a busy week advocating with lawmakers regarding  HB 971 on Competitive Integrated Employment and HB 970 on Ticket to Work Health Assurance. MODDC has been providing updates and information on these two bills from Representative Stinnett.  Pictured below are a group of advocates with Representative Melanie Stinnett from across the state who testified on these two bills. Now…

Legislative Update:  MODDC Welcomes Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek

January 19, 2023

Council Chair Animesh Shah, Executive Director Vicky Davidson, and Project Coordinator Leigh Anne Haun attended the swearing-in ceremony of Missouri’s 48th State Treasurer, Vivek Malek. State Treasurer Vivek Malek is tasked with overseeing the state’s bank accounts, unclaimed property, and Missouri’s investments.  He is the first Indian American to hold a statewide office in Missouri.  He…

National Association of Educational Translators and Interpreters of Spoken Languages (NAETISL) awarded $200,000 for Supporting Language Access in Schools

January 11, 2023

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) awarded the National Association of Educational Translators and Interpreters of Spoken Languages (NAETISL) with a $200,000 grant to support language access in schools. “I am excited to work with NAETISL on this project,” says Katheryne Staeger-Wilson, MODDC project coordinator, “They are national leaders, incorporating an innovative, grassroots approach to…

Jan. 6 Legislative Update and Advocacy Training

January 11, 2023

The 2023 Legislative Session began this week! Now is a great time to start getting to know some of the bills that have been filed by our elected officials. There are a few ways to do this: To find bills filed by your representative, click here: Missouri House of Representative – Members (mo.gov) Bill to Watch:  HB…

MODDC shares restraint and seclusion recommendations; MO DESE publishes Seclusion and Restraint Data

January 5, 2023

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council stresses the importance of Missourians acknowledging that restraint, seclusion and other aversive interventions do not improve students’ academic performance or behavior. Therefore, schools should only use them when there is grave and immediate danger to human life and after all other alternatives have been attempted and proved ineffective. The Missouri…

People with disabilities have the right to receive supports and reasonable accommodations to achieve competitive employment

January 4, 2023

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) believes everyone who identifies work as a goal is employable, with the right opportunities and support. People with disabilities have the right to, and should, receive individualized supports and reasonable accommodations to help them prepare for and attain competitive employment. Competitive employment means jobs in the community, working alongside…

Missourians with disabilities encouraged to use online estimator tool, Disability Benefits 101 (DB101), when making employment decisions

December 6, 2022

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) encourages Missourians with disabilities to use the newly designed estimator tool, Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) when making employment decisions. When a person wants to work and earn more money, the DB101 estimator tool shows how income-based benefits, like Medicaid and Social Security Disability are affected. “The fear of losing…

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) establishes priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session

December 2, 2022

It is the goal of the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) to advocate for items in the budget and legislation that will further impact these priorities. MODDC will advocate for policies and practices addressing the following areas: Access to Quality Care 1.  Ensure that all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Missouri have access…