New Hampshire Councils on Developmental Disabilities

**About Us** **Information on who the council is, what they do, and the current 5-Year Plan.** **What Are Councils on Developmental Disabilities?** Councils on Developmental Disabilities are federally funded agencies that represent and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. The federal government gives all 55 state and territorial Councils the authority to set priorities and develop strategies to improve the lives of the people with disabilities in their states. This authority comes from the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). **What is Our Purpose?** The purpose of State Councils is to engage in **advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities**. Councils contribute to a coordinated, person-centered, person-directed, comprehensive system of community services and supports that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise **self-determination, independence, integration, and inclusion in all facets of community life**. **The New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities** We support policies and initiatives that remove barriers and promote opportunities in all areas of life. We are not a direct service provider. The Council develops [a state plan every five years](https://www.nhcdd.nh.gov/about-us/5-year-plan) to establish specific goals and strategies to work towards. These are developed from the feedback we receive when we ask what important issues are affecting the developmental disabilities community. We carry out our mission through education, advocacy and the funding of innovative projects and initiatives. We work toward public policies that have a positive impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities throughout their lifespan.