Five-Year Plan Survey Results Released

In 2025, The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (The Council) conducted its five-year Quality-of-Life Assessment Survey (QOLAS) to assess how people with developmental disabilities perceive their independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion (IPSII). The purpose of this study is to provide input for the Council's next Five-Year Plan.

315 individuals completed the survey, with a higher proportion of self-advocates participating compared to previous years. This shift in respondent composition is important to consider when analyzing results. Overall, the survey revealed a mix of encouraging progress and ongoing challenges for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
There is a strong sense of power, momentum, and unity within the disability community. Notable areas of progress include:

• Increased legislative support, such as:
• Higher pay for service providers
• Disability waiver rate increases
• Expanded employment supports
• Waiver reforms
• Greater public awareness and acceptance of people with developmental disabilities
• Improved access to technology, enhancing communication and independence
• Stronger social interaction and community engagement, as reported by council members and community leaders

Despite these gains, significant barriers persist. Many respondents expressed concerns about potential federal policy changes and funding cuts, which could severely impact the availability and quality of services. Additionally, respondents identified several critical issues needing urgent attention:

• Transportation
• Employment
• Special Education
• Accessing Services
• Staffing Shortages
• Inclusive Spaces
• Funding Concerns

Although overall agreement with positive statements about quality of life is relatively high, strong agreement is notably low in key areas—particularly related to community inclusion and financial security ("I have enough money to live on"). This indicates that while improvements have been made, there is room for growth, especially in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future for people with developmental disabilities.
Going forward, the findings suggest the need to:

• Continue grassroots advocacy to foster awareness and improve public perceptions
• Push for systemic reforms, particularly in transportation and service access, to better support full community inclusion and self-determination

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(5/19/25)

Karl's Wheelhouse

Karl is a 23-year-old business owner who lives on the north shore of Lake Superior outside of Two Harbors. In Karl's Workshop, he and his helpers create North Shore inspired, handmade candles along with carved and engraved gifts of wood. These creations are for sale online at karlswheelhouse.com and at their pop-up storefront in downtown Two Harbors.

Karl was involved in an accident at the age of three which claimed the life of his father Bill. This left Anna a single mother with two children. Karl sustained a significant Traumatic Brain Injury.

But Anna felt Karl—and anyone with a disability—"ought to have access to a vocation, a calling, an occupation that represents and honors the best of who they are and could be for themselves and the broader world."

Anna and Karl's stepfather, David, created Karl's Wheelhouse to give Karl a vocation and his own business out of wood and wax in the beautiful woods of northern Minnesota. They did this with the help of the state's Vocational Rehabilitation Services, a division of the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Produced for the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities by Mastcom, an independent video production company (www.mastcom.com).

(4/1/25)

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

State of Minnesota Proclamation:

WHEREAS: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the importance of inclusive environments with equal access to communication, education, employment, housing, transportation, and public accommodation; and

WHEREAS: The abilities of people with developmental disabilities have been traditionally and systematically undervalued; and

WHEREAS: People with developmental disabilities have many skills, talents, and abilities to contribute, and Minnesota recognizes the potential of all people, including those with developmental disabilities, to live, learn, work, and thrive; and

WHEREAS: Individuals with developmental disabilities deserve opportunities to make informed decisions about their own lives, including resources, education, and a reliable framework of community members to offer support; and

WHEREAS: Individuals with developmental disabilities can make choices to live in homes and communities where they can exercise their full rights, pursue meaningful and productive lives, have independent relationships, and contribute to their families, communities, state, and nation; and

WHEREAS: It is crucial that individuals with developmental disabilities can live free of abuse, neglect, and violations of their legal and human rights; and

WHEREAS: Our communities should be inclusive spaces that support and achieve full integration in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of everyone; and

WHEREAS: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month highlights efforts to decrease prejudice and misconceptions in society, increase awareness and understanding throughout our communities, and foster connections for individuals and families to share their experiences with others.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim March 2025 as:

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

in the State of Minnesota.

(3/01/25)

Have the Developmental Disabilities Act Outcomes Changed in Over 20 Years of Studies?

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is beginning preparation for the upcoming Five-Year Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2027-2031. Our contractor, MarketResponse International has analyzed the results from the past surveys conducted every five years that measure independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion.

There was evidence of improvements in 2020 in Independence, Self-Determination, and Integration; no measurable improvements were found over the twenty-year period in Inclusion or levels of employment among adults.

The top four critical issues that people with developmental disabilities will face over the next 5 years were related to employment, funding for services and training, housing, and staffing. Almost one-third (31%) of people with developmental disabilities who applied for an HCBS Waiver were dissatisfied with the assessment and application process.

Read the analysis (PDF presentation) »

Read the analysis (Text) »

(2/10/25)

245D Bill of Rights Workbooks Now Available

Minnesota's Olmstead Plan was developed to ensure that people with disabilities are living, learning, working, and enjoying life in the most integrated setting. Prevention of Abuse and Neglect is one of the topics included in the comprehensive Olmstead Plan. Prevention begins with educating people with disabilities, their families, mandated reporters and the general public about how to identify and report abuse. Abuse can be prevented by showing respect and dignity to everyone.

(11/5/24)

Life Experiences of Young Minnesotans With Disabilities Qualitative Research Report

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is pleased to release this supplemental report that provides direct quotations from the respondents of the Youth Intersectionality Study.

This qualitative study was completed on August 22, 2024, and includes the responses from youth and family members who participated in a two-week online dialogue. Some of the subjects covered include experiences in the community, positive and negative educational experiences, and frustrations in accessing waivers and receiving support services. The hopes, desires, dreams, and goals of young people are also presented.

These aspirations were expressed as achieving independence and fulfillment through education, meaningful work, and personal milestones. Supportive environments are crucial to realize these goals and to feel valued in the community. This support not only benefits young Minnesotans with disabilities but also the family, friends, and the community.

Young people urged better accessibility, increased access to assistive technologies, more education and training, better access to health, wellness, and social supports. By focusing on improving these areas, Minnesota can be a place where young people with disabilities can work towards achieving their aspirations and leading quality lives, rather than having to fight for their basic rights.

Qualitative Study PDF
Qualitative Study Text as HTML
Qualitative Study as Plain Text

(8/27/24)

Life Experience of Young Minnesotans with Marginalized Identities Intersectionality Study III

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce the findings from the newest phase of the intersectionality study focusing on youth perspectives and the promise of One Minnesota.

This pilot study was completed in July 2024 and included 261 young Minnesotans ages 13-22. This quantitative and qualitative study divided respondents into four groups by race and ethnicity and disability status. The control group was made up of 176 individuals without disabilities and there were 85 respondents with disabilities. These groups were then broken down into White (70%)  and BIPOC groups (30%), which closely matches the diversity of the general population of young Minnesotans.

BIPOC teens and young adults WITHOUT disabilities experience twice as many incidences of discrimination reporting dissatisfaction with the way there are treated 12% of the time, as compared to white youth without disabilities who reported dissatisfaction at a rate of 6%. Minnesota teens and young adults with disabilities experience more than twice as many incidences of discrimination, the study revealed a 19% dissatisfaction rate as compared to youth without disabilities who reported dissatisfaction 9% of the time. The relative amounts of reported discrimination experiences were highest among young white Minnesotans with disabilities at 26%.

A discrimination index was reported for each of the four groups. Young people without disabilities scored 56 while BIPOC without disabilities scored 107. The discrimination indices were notably higher for young people with disabilities. White youth with disabilities scored 158 and BIPOC with disabilities scored 142.

When respondents with disabilities go into the community they describe feeling misunderstood, excluded and frustrated, while young people without disabilities say they feel at ease, confident and accepted.

Stories were also gathered about specific areas where young Minnesotans felt excluded. These areas include social exclusion, workplace discrimination, healthcare discrimination, and inadequate support services.

Intersectionality Study PDF
Intersectionality Study Text as HTML
Intersectionality Study as Plain Text

(8/15/24)

An Unfinished Journey:

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

 

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 new series of 21 educational banners focused on disability rights in Minnesota.

View all Unfinished Journey banners »

View the PDF of all Unfinished Journey Banners »

March 19, 2024

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

Upcoming locations:

The Mobile Museum is on display at Southwest Minnesota State University at Marshall Minnesota from September 9-20, 2024.

The Mobile Museum will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Stout from November 11, 2024 to December 9, 2024 in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The exhibit is serving as a prelude to Patient No More: People with Disabilities Securing Civil Rights from February 2, 2025 to March 30th 2025.

Download the Mobile Museum flier (PDF), and watch for additional dates and information.

(09/11/24)

In Their Own Words

From Treat People Like People: Listen to members within the disability community share their stories, experiences, and thoughts about how we can all work to treat people with respect and dignity.

(02/20/24)

The One Minnesota Baseline Quantitative Survey

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce the results from a baseline study of intersectionality and the promise of One Minnesota.

This survey was completed in September 2023 and included a total of 593 respondents divided into four groups by race and ethnicity and disability status. Individuals with disabilities from racial and ethnic communities are more likely to report negative experiences in public situations; are less likely than all other groups to feel welcomed in public serving businesses; and more likely to experience negative treatment in financial dealings. White individuals with disabilities are most likely to feel unfair treatment, barriers, and restrictions from privileges; are more likely to report negative experiences in dealing with healthcare and health insurance; and give the lowest rating to the One Minnesota promise of any group.

One Minnesota Study PDF
One Minnesota Study as Word PDF
One Minnesota Study as Plain Text

(11/01/23)

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

Presented by Allan 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:

• Section 1. A Brief History of Disability (1800s to 1979)
• Section 2. A Brief History of Disability (1980 to 2022)
• Section 3. Values and the Federal DD Act and Education Act
• Section 4. Values and the Federal AT Act and Transition
• Section 5. Values and Employment
• Section 6. Current Topics and the Integration Mandate
• Section 7. Integration and Postsecondary Education
• Section 8. Integration and Living in the Community
• Section 9. A Call to Action

View Allan Bergman's presentation on Disability History »

(6/27/23)