New Impact Report from Statewide Council for Developmental Disabilities Shows Systems Change Progress Amid Challenges and Uncertainty

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA (December 15, 2025) – The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) released its 2025 Impact Report, showcasing progress toward statewide systems change and stronger supports and services for North Carolinians with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD).

“This year, we focused on responding to and lifting the voices of people with developmental disabilities in North Carolina in response to crises and challenges. The year started with Hurricane Helene and ended with significant cuts to Medicaid,” said Talley Wells, Executive Director of NCCDD. “By the end of our reporting year, we were figuring out ways to lift the developmental disability community during an unprecedented and challenging time.”

During the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, NCCDD held daily virtual emergency response meetings. Over 400 individuals, family members, and emergency response agencies participated to ensure the timely delivery of support and safety resources to people with disabilities. Frequent information alerts were shared with the I/DD community via email, social media, and on its website.

NCCDD addressed challenges across North Carolina’s disability services system while responding to major federal policy and funding changes, including cuts to Medicaid and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Through its monthly Capitol and Community policy education meetings, NCCDD engaged 571 participants—including self-advocates, families, and stakeholders—to share updates and discuss the potential impact of these developing policy changes on critical disability services.

The Council promoted initiatives that help people with I/DD live better lives. These projects focus on building advocacy skills, supporting community living, and helping people become more financially independent.

The Autism and I/DD Safety Training for First Responders initiative trained 34 officers from 12 agencies in Buncombe County in communication and de-escalation skills. The hands-on training sessions brought in self-advocates to share their lived experiences, and these connections laid the groundwork for hundreds of officers to be trained in 2026.

A Supported Living Guidebook, written by FIRSTwnc, was distributed across the state to provide step-by-step information for people with I/DD, family members, and provider agencies on how to make supported living work successfully.

The Advocacy Leadership Program of North Carolina (ALP-NC) had another successful year, bringing in more people with I/DD to lead the program as facilitators and coordinators. The training project brought together self-advocates, family members, professionals, and other stakeholders to lead local, state, and federal policy change.

The HBCU Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) initiative launched PILLAR at Winston-Salem State University. This new IPSE program aims to dismantle systemic barriers and serve as a model for culturally competent, inclusive postsecondary education.

Monthly webinars engaged advocates in discussions on a variety of topics through its Self-Advocate Discussion Series and The Council Presents series. In addition, the My Story Matters campaign provided a platform for people with I/DD to share their stories on the personal impact of Medicaid cuts. These stories were shared with lawmakers.

NCCDD released the film Unmet: North Carolina’s Two Developmental Disability Crises to the public to host watch parties, encouraging people to watch the film together and engage in meaningful discussions on what happens when services and supports are missing or are not enough, and how this crisis might be solved.

Finally, in preparation for developing its next Five-Year Plan for 2027–2031, NCCDD collected community input through surveys and public input sessions throughout all regions of North Carolina. These insights will guide the Council’s priorities and strategies to ensure the needs of people with I/DD and their families continue to be at the center of its systems change initiatives.

NCCDD’s 2024-2025 Impact Report is available online in both English and Spanish. Read the report here: https://nccdd.org/about/annual-report/2024-2025-annual-report.

### 

About the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities: The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works to assure that people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families participate in the design of, and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all areas of community life. Through its Five-Year Plan, the Council identifies and funds innovative projects and initiatives that promote the goals of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) for all North Carolinians. www.nccdd.org