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Today, the Montgomery County Council approved legislation to update the composition of the Intellectual and Development Disabilities Commission (IDDC), focused on enhancing self-determination and community voice. This legislation was supported by the full Council.
“This change will embed lived experience at the center of decision-making and ensure equitable, meaningful representation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD),” said Councilmember Dawn Luedtke. “This legislation seeks to correct an imbalance in the membership structure, as identified by the IDDC itself, by increasing the representation of individuals with IDD.”
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“The proposed membership structure will better reflect the needs of our IDD community, contributing to enhanced service delivery and effective policy recommendations,” said Councilmember Shebra Evans. “And a special thanks goes to Jake Didinsky for his outstanding advocacy work,” Councilmember Evans said.
To align with best practices in disability governance, Bill 28-26 updates the IDDC’s membership structure by increasing from two to five the number of individuals with IDD; decreasing from nine to five the number of individuals who are parents or guardians of children with IDD or guardians or immediate relatives of adults with IDD who cannot advocate for themselves; maintaining seven members who are individuals representing service providers or advocacy organizations that support individuals with IDD; maintaining one member from the Commission on People with Disabilities; and specifying that at least three of the members must be individuals who participate in self-directed services.
The bill’s title, the Jake Didinsky Advocacy Act, honors a community champion who has demonstrated the importance of ensuring that those with IDD are at the table advocating on behalf of the IDD community.
Find more information on Bill 28-26.
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Read the original article at mcgov
