Providing information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
State of Minnesota Proclamation

Governor Tim Walz Proclaims October 13, 2021
Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Day

WHEREAS:
The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) was first appointed in October 1971 as authorized in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to serve as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities by carrying out activities in major areas of emphasis; and

WHEREAS:
Through its first half-century in existence, the GCDD has contributed to unprecedented historical archives and a wealth of information, education, and training materials that have amplified the voices, experiences, and histories of people with developmental disabilities in Minnesota; and

WHEREAS:
The GCDD, through Partners in Policymaking®, created and continues to deliver one of the most effective and highly regarded advocacy training programs for people with developmental disabilities and parents of children with developmental disabilities, with over 1,100 graduates in Minnesota and 29,000 graduates nationally and internationally; and

WHEREAS:
For 50 years, the GCDD has strengthened the knowledge and skills of allies, policymakers, racial and ethnic communities, and providers to more fully integrate and meaningfully include people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life; and

WHEREAS:
The GCDD has played an essential role in efforts to support community integration, increase employment in the general workforce, prevent abuse, increase the use of person-centered practices, and expand the rights of people with developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS:
The GCDD is highly respected within Minnesota and judged by national experts to be one of the most innovative, influential, and impactful Developmental Disabilities councils around the country; and

WHEREAS:
As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the GCDD, Minnesota also recommits itself to increasing independence, self-determination, productivity, integration, and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, October 13, 2021, as:

Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Day
in the State of Minnesota

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota to be affixed at the State Capitol this 4th day of October.

Gold Seal of Minnesota

Signed by GOVERNOR TIM WALZ

Signature of Governor Tim Walz

Signed by SECRETARY OF STATE Steve Simon

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Steve Simon

©2025 The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
Administration Building   50 Sherburne Avenue   Room G10
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
Phone: 651-296-4018   Toll-free number: 877-348-0505   MN Relay Service: 800-627-3529 OR 711
Email: admin.dd.info@state.mn.us    View Privacy Policy    An Equal Opportunity Employer 

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center, the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2401MNSCDD, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

This website is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,152,808.00 funded by ACL/HHS and $222,000.00 funded by non-federal-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.