Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month — Virtual Events & On-Demand Resources

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) leads Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), a national campaign that celebrates the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life. The 2026 theme — We’re Here: Then, Now, Always — connects the history of advocacy with the present and a future where every person with a developmental disability belongs, is valued, and can fully participate in community life. All events and resources listed below are free and open to the public.

1 · NACDD 2026 DD Awareness Month Campaign Hub — On-Demand, All Month

Available: March 1 – 31, 2026  ·  On-Demand  ·  Available 24 Hours a Day · 7 Days a Week

Platform: Online Resource Center

Cost: FREE

NACDD’s official 2026 DDAM campaign hub for “We’re Here: Then, Now, Always” is the central home for all campaign graphics, toolkits, social media copy, storytelling resources, and the Portrait Gallery submission portal. Organizations, self-advocates, families, and community members can download campaign materials, share personal “Then / Now / Always” stories, and take part in the national relationship-building initiative connecting disability advocates with decision-makers at the local, state, and federal level. The campaign runs March 2026 through February 2027, and all resources are freely available throughout the period.

HOURS OF AVAILABILITY

Campaign Resource Hub: Available 24 Hours a Day · 7 Days a Week · March 1 – 31, 2026

Note: Hours subject to change — verify at the NACDD website.

Total Monthly Hours Available: 744 hours (24 hrs × 31 days)

Total Weekly Hours Available: 168 hours/week (24 hrs × 7 days)

HOW TO ACCESS

Campaign Hub: https://nacdd.org/2026-dd-awareness-month-were-here-then-now-always/

Portrait Gallery Submission: Submit your own “Then / Now / Always” story via the Portrait Gallery portal linked on the campaign hub page.

Build Relationships Portal: https://nacdd.quorum.us/DDAM2026/

NACDD Main Website: https://nacdd.org/

WHO CAN JOIN

• People with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Family members, caregivers, and allies
• Self-advocates and self-advocacy organizations
• State DD Councils and nonprofit partners
• Community organizations, faith communities, schools, and local governments
• Open to all — no geographic restriction

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

• Downloadable campaign toolkit with graphics, social media copy, blog and email templates
• Portrait Gallery — submit and view “Then / Now / Always” personal stories from across the country
• Relationship-building portal to connect with decision-makers in your community, state, and at the federal level
• Social media hashtag campaign: #WeReHere · #ThenNowAlways · #DDAM2026
• Storytelling framework highlighting then (exclusion and segregation), now (inclusion and community life), and always (a future of belonging)

ABOUT NACDD

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) works with all 56 State Councils on Developmental Disabilities to empower people with developmental disabilities, their families, and allies. NACDD advocates for systems change, policy reform, and community inclusion at the national level, and has led the annual DD Awareness Month campaign for decades. NACDD coordinates the DD Network alongside the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).

2 · The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties — Transition & Waiver Services Webinar

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PT (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET)

Platform: Online · Zoom Webinar

Cost: FREE

Join this free one-hour Zoom webinar featuring guest presenter Kristy Fogle, M.S. of Quality Progressions. Gain a clear understanding of what changes for people with developmental disabilities at age 21, how the waiver services system works, and how to navigate the waiver enrollment process. Whether you are a family member, a young adult approaching transition, or a professional, this practical session offers essential guidance for navigating the IDD support system in Pennsylvania and understanding transition planning concepts applicable across the United States.

WEBINAR HOURS

Wednesday, March 4, 2026: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PT (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET)

Note: Hours subject to change — verify registration link for updates.

Total Event Duration: 1 hour

HOW TO REGISTER

Register Online: https://arcoflehighnorthampton.org/events/ — Select the March 4, 2026 Transition & Waiver Webinar from the events calendar

Main Website: https://arcoflehighnorthampton.org/

WHO CAN JOIN

• Family members of individuals with IDD who are approaching age 21 transition
• Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Transition-age youth (ages 14–21) and their support teams
• Social workers, educators, case managers, and direct support professionals
• Open to anyone — primary focus on Pennsylvania residents; concepts apply broadly across the U.S.

WHAT’S COVERED

• Transition: what changes when a person with IDD turns 21
• Overview of waiver services available to adults with developmental disabilities
• The waiver enrollment process — step by step
• Guest presenter: Kristy Fogle, M.S., Quality Progressions

ABOUT THE ARC OF LEHIGH & NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES

The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties is a chapter of The Arc of the United States — the largest national advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serving the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, the chapter provides advocacy, resource coordination, training, and community education to support individuals with IDD and their families at every stage of life.

3 · AUCD — 2026 Disability Policy Seminar: Orientation & Policy Education 101 Webinar

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (Estimated — verify at AUCD website)

Time: Time TBD — check AUCD events page for confirmation (Eastern Time)

Platform: Online · Zoom Webinar

Cost: FREE

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) hosts a free preparatory webinar ahead of its annual Disability Policy Seminar (held March 23–24, 2026, in Washington, DC). The orientation webinar is designed to help trainees, early-career professionals, self-advocates, and family members understand how the federal government works, learn tips for educating policymakers effectively, and connect with fellow LEND and UCEDD network participants before the Seminar. No experience is required — this session is designed to be accessible to everyone.

WEBINAR HOURS

Estimated Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Note: Specific date and time must be confirmed at the AUCD events page. Duration estimated at 1 hour. Hours subject to change.

Estimated Duration: 1 hour

HOW TO REGISTER

AUCD Events Page: https://www.aucd.org/events — Search for “Disability Policy Seminar Orientation” to register for the free webinar

AUCD Main Website: https://www.aucd.org/

Disability Policy Seminar (In-Person, March 23–24): https://disabilitypolicyseminar.org/

WHO CAN JOIN

• LEND and UCEDD trainees
• Early-career professionals and emerging leaders in the disability field
• Self-advocates and family members interested in disability policy
• Professionals seeking to engage with federal disability policy

WHAT’S COVERED

• How the U.S. federal government works — a practical overview
• Tips for meeting with and educating policymakers on Capitol Hill and at home
• Connecting personal and professional experience to disability policy
• Networking with fellow LEND and UCEDD program participants nationwide

ABOUT AUCD

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is a national association that supports a network of 68 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), as well as LEND and DBP programs, across all U.S. states and territories. AUCD promotes research, training, education, and public service to improve the quality of life, health, and well-being of people with disabilities. AUCD co-leads the annual DD Awareness Month campaign with NACDD and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).

4 · The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties — Special Education Rights Webinar

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PT (1:30 PM – 3:00 PM ET) — Wait, see below

Note: The advertised time is 6:30–8:00 PM ET (3:30–5:00 PM PT). See corrected time below.

Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM PT (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET)

Platform: Online · Zoom Webinar

Cost: FREE

This free, 90-minute Zoom webinar features Heather Hulse, J.D., M.A., M.S., a Senior Partner at the law firm McAndrews, Mehalick, Connolly, Hulse & Ryan, P.C. The session covers special education rights and evaluation protections for children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, advocate, or professional, this is a valuable opportunity to learn about proper and sufficient evaluations and the legal frameworks that protect people with IDD in educational settings.

WEBINAR HOURS

Tuesday, March 24, 2026: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM PT (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET)

Note: Hours subject to change — verify registration link for updates.

Total Event Duration: 1.5 hours (90 minutes)

HOW TO REGISTER

Register Online: https://arcoflehighnorthampton.org/events/ — Select the March 24, 2026 Special Education Rights Webinar

Main Website: https://arcoflehighnorthampton.org/

WHO CAN JOIN

• Parents and caregivers of individuals with IDD in educational settings
• Adults with developmental disabilities navigating special education transitions
• Educators, school administrators, and special education professionals
• Disability rights advocates and legal professionals
• Open to all — primary focus on Pennsylvania; legal principles broadly applicable

WHAT’S COVERED

• Proper and sufficient evaluations — what they are and how they protect people with IDD
• Legal frameworks for special education rights
• Guest presenter: Heather Hulse, J.D., M.A., M.S. — McAndrews, Mehalick, Connolly, Hulse & Ryan, P.C.

ABOUT THE ARC OF LEHIGH & NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES

The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties champions a life of inclusion, opportunity, and equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through advocacy, education, and supports. The organization aligns with The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Pennsylvania on core values of human dignity, personhood, choice, rights, community, support, and equity.

ADDITIONAL ON-DEMAND RESOURCES

The following on-demand resources are available throughout March 1–31, 2026:

NACDD DD Awareness Month Resource Guide

The NACDD DDAM Resource Guide is updated every Monday throughout March with videos, toolkits, personal stories, promising practices, and more. A freely accessible, continuously updated hub for all things DD Awareness Month.

On-Demand Resource Guide: https://nacdd.org/learnmore-ddam/

ACL — Administration for Community Living: DDAM Resources

The ACL’s DDAM page provides official federal resources supporting Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, including social media graphics and links to all three DD Network partner organizations.

ACL DDAM Page: https://acl.gov/news-and-events/events-and-observances/developmental-disabilities-awareness-month

The Arc — Virtual Program Library

The Arc’s Virtual Program Library offers on-demand programs and recordings covering topics relevant to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and professionals.

Virtual Program Library: https://programlibrary.thearc.org/

Telling It Our Way Podcast (NPR / WGTE Public Media)

An award-winning podcast hosted by stories written and performed by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Episodes cover real-life topics including relationships, employment, housing, self-advocacy, and caregiving. All past episodes are available free and on-demand. The podcast is a Touchstone Award winner (2024) and AAIDD Media Award winner (2025), produced through WGTE Public Media in partnership with the University of Toledo’s Disability Studies faculty.

Listen On-Demand: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1192552461/telling-it-our-way

4th Thursday ADA Talks — Free Monthly Webinar Series (Southeast ADA Center / DisabilityWebinars.org)

A free 10-part monthly webinar series on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disability rights, and access. Each 60-minute session is held on the 4th Thursday of the month, January through October. All past webinars are archived and available on-demand anytime — with captioning, ASL interpretation, and a Certificate of Participation. March 2026 topic: ADA Title I: Employment Protections (March 26, 10:00–11:00 AM PT / 1:00–2:00 PM ET). Hosted by the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, Southeast ADA Center, and Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University.

Webinar Archive & Registration: https://disabilitywebinars.org/archives/ada-talks/

SARTAC Zoom Meeting Archive — Self-Advocacy Resources On-Demand (Self Advocates Becoming Empowered / selfadvocacyinfo.org)

The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC), a project of Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) funded by the Administration for Community Living, maintains a free online archive of past Zoom meeting recordings, presentations, guides, and resources created by and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Topics include self-advocacy skills, Medicaid and benefits, housing, employment, civic engagement, healthcare, and more. All materials are freely available on-demand, with plain language and Easy Read formats available. New sessions are added regularly.

Access Archive: https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/resources/sartac-zoom-meetings/

DISCLAIMER

All events and resources listed in this posting are shared as a courtesy. Listings do not constitute endorsement. Information is provided for educational and community awareness purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, medical, or clinical advice. Event times, dates, and registration links are subject to change — always verify directly with the hosting organization before attending. In a medical emergency, call 911 or contact local emergency services. For mental health crisis support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). PeerGalaxy does not guarantee availability of any listed event or resource.