The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Arkansas is a group of people with disabilities, family members, advocates, state agency representatives, and service provider organization representatives who work to improve the quality of life of Arkansans with developmental disabilities and their families.
We are Advocates.
Types of Advocacy
Self-Advocacy – Self-Advocacy is speaking up for oneself. A disabled person advocating for themselves may be called a self-advocate.
Individual Advocacy – Individual advocacy is taking action when you think something is unfair or that someone is being treated badly, and you would like to do something to change it. This also includes being part of advocacy groups or support groups, volunteering or participating in events, giving testimony to the legislature or providing public input, and many other actions.
Systems Advocacy – Systems Advocacy is about changing policies, laws or rules that impact how someone lives their life.
Our members are people with lived experience, parent advocates, professional advocates, and other allies.
What We Stand For
Inclusion.
Integration.
Independence.
Arkansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be included in their communities. They should have access to integrated settings for education, work, worship, and recreation. They should have high-quality, available, home and community-based services and supports needed for an independent life.
Why get involved in Advocacy?
Without advocacy, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) would not have the independence they enjoy today. Strong, consistent advocacy secures the vital supports and services that empower individuals to become successful, contributing members of our society.
The most powerful advocacy comes directly from people with disabilities sharing their lived experiences. However, allies, friends, and supporters must also make their voices heard. Writing to local and state elected officials is one of the most effective ways to champion this cause.
Together, advocates have built a robust system of services. By getting involved today, you can help improve this network and ensure it continues to meet the needs of the IDD community long into the future.
For many, advocacy means civic and community life engagement – getting involved in your community and accepting your civic duty as an American, an Arkansan. You can do it, whether you have a disability or not, your community needs you! Learn more about civic engagement here.
Nothing About Us Without Us! The Importance of Self-Advocates
“Nothing About Us Without Us!” is a phrase used to communicate the idea that no policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group(s) affected by that policy. It came into use in disability activism during the 1990s as a rallying cry to ensure that individuals with disabilities are always included in the design of support and service systems (which provide access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life for individuals with disabilities). Self-advocates may also be known as leaders with lived experience.
The Arkansas Council prioritizes supporting self-advocates to be in leadership positions.
Allyship
ally (noun) – a person who is not a member of a marginalized or mistreated group but who expresses or gives support to that group; one who is associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity, or struggle.
About one in four adults in the U.S. experience a disability. Chances are, you know someone with disabilities. Do you wonder what role you can play in ensuring equity for people with disabilities? Some people advocate actively for the rights of people with disabilities, while others stand alongside people with disabilities, serving as their allies and supporting advocacy efforts.
Just like other skill sets, we can learn ways to be better allies! The first step towards being an effective ally is to be educated about the basics of disability, including types of disabilities and the laws and policies regarding disability, proper disability etiquette and how to use respectful language.
How can I serve on the Council?
You can apply to serve. The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Arkansas members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor of Arkansas.
Members must be residents of the State of Arkansas.
Members are required to be one of the following: individuals with developmental disabilities, family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, directors of state agencies that serve people with disabilities, and/or representatives from nonprofit or private organizations that provide services and supports for people with disabilities.
The Governor is responsible for appointing members and seeks the most qualified candidates for these appointed positions. Interested applicants must complete the online application for appointment to be considered. This link opens in a new browser tab or window: Click this link to apply to join the Council. The instructions on this website will lead you through the process. After you submit your application to the Governor’s Boards and Commissions Office, please reach out to current Council members or staff to let us know you are interested in serving and why.
Member Expectations and Terms
Members serve staggered five (5) year terms, and each member may serve no more than two full consecutive terms.
Council members are responsible for establishing the policy framework through which the Council carries out its statutory responsibilities under federal and state legislation. The Council provides direction through the Executive Director to the staff to execute all Council activities.
The Council shall meet in four regular meetings each year on the Second Thursday in March, June, September, and December, if possible, or as called by the Chair. Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Chair, as deemed necessary.
Council members shall serve on at least one standing committee. Members of each standing committee, except for the Executive Committee, shall be appointed by the Chair. Committee membership is restructured every 2 years by the Chair; with Council members provided an opportunity to request their first and second choice.
GCDD members can expect to spend from 5 to 10 hours each quarter in service with the Council. Quarterly full Council business meetings are at least three (3) hours long. Committee meetings are typically 1 hour long but may be longer. You will also have to dedicate time to prepare for each meeting (reviewing documents, drafting remarks or questions), and you may also have travel time to consider.
Find out more about our Council members and operations, including access to our Bylaws and Policies & Procedures documents by clicking here.