The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
mn.gov/disability-mn
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.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Five-Year Plan (2027–2031)

December 4, 2025

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is seeking public feedback on the proposed goals for the 2027-2031 Five-Year Plan. This plan outlines the Council's goals and priorities for the next five years. We greatly value your opinions and would like to hear any thoughts or ideas you have regarding our plan goals.

You can:

  • Tell us what you agree or disagree with
  • Tell us about any suggested wording changes
  • Share any concern

We will review all comments and include a summary in the Five-Year Plan. We will use your feedback to revise the proposed Five-Year Plan goals. These revisions will also be described in the Five-Year Plan.

How to Review and Comment

The public comment period is open for more than 45 calendar days beginning December 4, 2025, and ends on January 20, 2026, at 5:00 pm (Central time).

Email your comments to admin.dd.info@state.mn.us 

Call and leave a voicemail at 651-296-4018

Send a letter to:

Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
Administration Building, G10
50 Sherburne Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155

If you need help submitting your comments, alternative formats, or accommodations, please email admin.dd.info@state.mn.us or call: 651-296-4018

MN Relay Service: 800-627-3529 OR 711
Toll-free number: 877-348-0505

Proposed Goals

Goal 1: Self-Advocacy and Leadership Development

People with developmental disabilities (youth and adults) and families will have increased access to educational and skill-building resources that promote self-advocacy and community leadership as required by the federal Developmental Disabilities Act. The Council will promote outreach, alliance building, and networking initiatives, expanding opportunities for all.

Goal 2: Employment

Youth and adults with developmental disabilities will be individually supported in their choices of services and opportunities to achieve, retain, and advance in self-employment and competitive integrated employment while maintaining access to other essential benefits.

Goal 3: Education, Resources, Research, and Continuous Improvement

The Council will remain a nationally recognized archive of easy-to-access, high-quality information, education, and training materials in multiple formats. People with developmental disabilities and families, along with their supporters, will have opportunities to develop knowledge and skills through ongoing education and training resources that support the federal Developmental Disabilities Act's goals. The Council will sponsor research evaluating the outcomes of the Developmental Disabilities Act using qualitative and quantitative survey methods, and Council practices will be regularly reviewed and continuously improved.

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities receives approximately $1.1 million in federal funds and allocates 70% of these funds to fulfilling the proposed goals. The 2027-2031 Five-Year Plan will include detailed objectives, activities, outputs, and outcome measures.

December 4, 2025

Request for Applications for Training Conferences Co-Sponsorship Funds

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (Council) is pleased to announce the availability of a total of $20,000 in co-sponsorship funds to help with planning and carrying out educational and training events or conferences.  Training MUST be designed for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  As a result of the training, attendees will increase their independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion (IPSII) in the community. Training may be planned as in-person, hybrid, or remote. Grant funds are intended to assist an organization to pay for presenter fees or scholarships and individualized accommodations for participants.

We invite you to consider applying for these co-sponsorship funds.

Conference dates? Conferences/training must be completed on or before September 19, 2026.

Dollar Amount? Maximum is $2,000 to an organization.

Who can apply? Minnesota not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, public entities, or Tribal Nations that provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities

When are applications due? Applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM (CST) on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

You may download the application here.

Direct all questions about this grant opportunity to paul.nevin@state.mn.us

December 8, 2025

An Unfinished Journey

Civil Rights for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Role of the Federal Courts

"An Unfinished Journey" traces the powerful, yet often overlooked story of how people with developmental disabilities fought for — and continue to fight for — their civil rights in Minnesota and across America. From the dark history of institutions, restraints and forced sterilization to landmark federal court cases that reshaped freedom, dignity, and inclusion, this film reveals a movement still in motion. Through historic images, courtroom milestones, and voices of resilience, An Unfinished Journey reminds us that equality is not a destination — it's a responsibility we all share.

Exhibit of educational banners focused on disability rights in Minnesota:

On March 19, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and its Public Outreach Committee, the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the Minnesota Disability Bar Association, and MSS hosted a public outreach effort that debuted a series of 21 educational banners focused on disability rights in Minnesota.

View all Unfinished Journey banners »

View the PDF of all Unfinished Journey Banners »

An Unfinished Journey Civil Rights for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Role of the Federal Courts

November 1, 2025

Treat People Like People Website Revamped

The Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities sponsored new features for the Treat People Like People (TPLP) campaign including Spanish, Hmong, and Somali translations of content. The updated website also contains specially designed activities for children. The revamped TPLP website is now officially relaunched. https://treatpeoplelikepeople.org

TPLP Website Promo English
TPLP Website Spanish
TPLP Website Promo Hmong
TPLP Website Somali

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities has supported the campaign since its 2019 launch. During the past six years, the TPLP campaign has had outstanding results with over 6.9 million views of social media posts; 5.3 million views of ads; and over 2.9 million views of videos.

Visit the children's activities—https://treatpeoplelikepeople.org/kids-disabilities-toolkit/

(9/4/25)

Inclusion Mobile Museum

Inclusion Mobile Museum

A traveling exhibit that celebrates the journey from 1900 to the present to increase the independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion of Minnesotans with developmental disabilities and their families.

Inclusion offers visitors a deeper understanding and perspective as Minnesotans with developmental disabilities work towards greater inclusion. Through photos and time, learn about:

  • Society's perception and treatment of people with developmental disabilities for the past century
  • The important role of parents of children with developmental disabilities and self advocates in the pursuit of better living conditions, educational rights, and employment opportunities.
  • The Partners in Policymaking® program and the self-advocacy movement
  • Key legal actions and decisions that work to ensure the Constitutional rights of people with developmental disabilities
  • What can be done to support people with developmental disabilities to enjoy the same rights as everyone

Download the Banners:

(09/11/24)

Bending the Arc of Disability History Toward Rights, Freedom, Social Justice, and Belonging

Presented by Allan Bergman

Alan Bergman

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is pleased to present Allan Bergman offering a video training series "Bending the Arc of Disability History Toward Rights and Freedom". For over 6 ½ hours Mr. Bergman covers more than two centuries of progress in disability history and policy. The series is divided into nine sections and allows the user to browse by topic. The nine sections are:

View Allan Bergman's presentation on Disability History »

(6/27/23)

©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 

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2501MNSCDD, 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 $1,152,734.00 funded by ACL/HHS and $229,000.00 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.