by Annette Jett As social beings, we need others to survive and thrive. For many of us, friendships are formed naturally with little effort. We meet someone and connect through our common interests. After discussing our likes and dislikes, wants and needs, desires, hopes and dreams, we decide over time whether we will form a […]
by Danielle Komis Palmer It nearly broke Raquel Covarrubias’s heart when the pediatrician told her the news. After all, the nurses at the hospital had said her newborn baby Erick was fine. But here she was, three weeks after his birth, faced with the news that her baby had Down syndrome, and she didn’t know where […]
If you want to hear the latest developments in disability-related services or share your ideas for improvement, the HB144 Commission is an ideal place to start.
The first time Kim Whittinghill-Smith dropped off her daughter, Sophie, at The Center for Courageous Kids summer camp, she was convinced that Sophie wouldn’t stay. Then, 12, Sophie had never been away from her parents. Because of a loss of oxygen at birth, Sophie has cerebral palsy, moves around in a power wheelchair, has impaired […]
The Americans with Disabilities Act celebrated its 25th anniversary in the summer of 2015, but the fight for this landmark legislation began long before 1990. The disabilities rights movement consisted of action as well as the idea that people with disabilities should no longer be pushed out of sight and ignored. Activists wrote thousands of […]
By Heidi McKenzie August 4, 2007 is a date that forever changed my life when I became a T-4 paraplegic at the age of 21. On a foggy night, driving a little too fast on my way home from a mud volleyball tournament, I missed a curve and crashed my car into a tree. I […]
Public Policy means the laws, regulations and funding priorities that impact people’s lives. One of the great things about living in a democracy is that we all have opportunities to impact public policy. Each year, CCDD promotes Public Policy Priorities that reflect our commitment of ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to live full […]
by Chastity Ross, CCDD Chairperson Hello and welcome to the Exceptional Family Magazine, 2016 edition. It is an honor to serve as the Chairperson for the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities (CCDD). CCDD is made up of people with disabilities and family members with disabilities, along with allies who work for related state agencies. We […]
