Every March, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and our networks proudly recognize Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). In collaboration with the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), we celebrate the full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in our communities.

Join NACIDD members to discuss, finalize, and vote on an initial set of recommendations to the HHS Secretary and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) regarding challenges, opportunities, and priorities for national public health and medical preparedness, response, and recovery, specific to the needs people with disabilities in disasters.

SAR-TAC, the self-advocacy resource and technical assistance center funded by ACL and managed by Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) is announcing a new webinar series on accessibility and writing in plain language. Presenters from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network will share information about how to write policy in easy to understand language.

This webinar will feature people with lived experience and the professionals who support them sharing their stories and highlighting challenges and the importance of collaboration. Panelists hope to spark ongoing discussion and shared learning about the shift from provider owned and managed housing.

Join the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) for their webinar, “It’s More than Just Money- Strategies for Sustaining Dementia Programs.” During this webinar, participants will learn about the efforts of two ACL Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative grantees to create sustainable dementia programs.

On March 1, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a proposed rule, “Telemedicine Prescribing of Controlled Substances When the Practitioner and the Patient Have Not Had a Prior In-Person Medical Evaluation.” This proposal liberalizes prescribing of controlled substances compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic while restricting some flexibilities currently in place.

Join the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC) for a webinar showcasing a collaboration between the Texas Workforce Commission Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Valley Association for Independent Living, and Disability Chamber of Commerce Rio Grande Valley (RGV) to increase competitive, integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has two new funding opportunity under the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) Program to address community living policy and research and capacity building for minority entities. Additionally, there is a new Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program funding opportunity on prosthetics and orthotics.

What do glazed carrots and the opportunity for conversation have in common? These are just two of the many ways that the Senior Nutrition Program provides vital nutrition services and socialization.    Across the country, about 5,000 providers serve one million meals each day — making a difference in the health and well-being of older Americans. Each March, we celebrate this program and the people and participants that make it possible.

Join ACL’s Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs (ONHPP) to explore creative ways to sustain senior nutrition programs through fundraising efforts.