The Council Presents

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) offers this webinar series as a monthly gathering designed to provide valuable information, resources, and discussions on intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Sessions are held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with sessions lasting from 30 minutes to an hour. Each session features expert insights, community updates, and opportunities for engagement with community stakeholders, professionals, and individuals with I/DD.

Whether you are a self-advocate, family member, service provider, or policymaker, these sessions are designed to keep you informed and connected.

Join us on the fourth Thursday of the month at 1:00 pm (ET) from January through October. 

Register for the next webinar!

Webinar Schedule - 2026

You can also watch video recordings of each webinar on NCCDD's YouTube channel. 

March 26, 2026: Housing Roundtable

Join for a Housing Roundtable to hear about issues and strategies that will help people with I/DD obtain and maintain housing in a place of their choice in the community. Planned panelists include:

• NCCDD member Carol Conway, a parent who has extensively researched ways that parents of adults with I/DD can leave their home to their adult child after they pass away or are no longer able to care for the child.
• Laura Wells, the Executive Director of HOPE North Carolina, will discuss how HOPE NC is working to create inclusive housing options for adults with I/DD across the state, as well as current HOPE NC inclusive housing communities in the Triangle.
• Suvya Carroll, a person with I/DD, will discuss living with a roommate in a thriving housing community.

View the webinar recording

April 23, 2026: ABLE Accounts: Save Money Without Losing Benefits

Christine Farrelly from the NC Department of State Treasury will talk about ABLE accounts. ABLE accounts are special savings and investment accounts for people with disabilities. They allow you to save money without losing benefits like Medicaid or SSI. During this session, you will learn who can open an ABLE account, how the accounts work, and why they can be helpful. You will also learn how to use this money-saving option, which many people with disabilities may not know about.

May 28, 2026: Registered Apprenticeship

Registered Apprenticeship is an employer-driven training strategy that strives to meet the needs of the employer while providing an on-the-job learning experience coupled with related classroom education and reward for skills gained. The result is a nationally recognized credential and continued career opportunities.

In this session of our series, join us as we hear from Dale Yarborough, Deputy Director of the ApprenticeshipNC, who will lead us through an overview of apprenticeship training programs, and respond to your questions on this valuable pathway to employment options.

June 25, 2026: Plain Language

Plain Language is “clear, straightforward, and only uses words necessary to make sure all people can understand and participate.” This definition is from the Association for University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). Join us for the June session of “The Council Presents” to learn more about Plain Language. We will talk about how to write and speak using Plain Language, why it is helpful, and more. The discussion will include Liz Weintraub, who works for AUCD as Senior Advisory Specialist. Liz has taught many of us how to advocate and use Plain Language in our policy and advocacy work. Her podcast “Tuesdays with Liz” uses Plain Language discussion of important policy topics every week.

Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/JTEBPG47SW2g2Z9fVyH0PQ#/registration

July 23, 2026: Topic pending

Details pending.

August 27, 2026: Topic pending

Details pending.

September 24, 2026: Topic pending

Details pending.

October 22, 2026: Topic pending

Details pending.