PROUD AND SUPPORTED

We called the project Proud and Supported. Because we want LGBTQ+ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to feel proud of who they are. Proud to be a self-advocate, and proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. We want everyone to feel supported. Supported as a self-advocate, and supported as a LGBTQ+ person. That is our goal... New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (NYS DDPC) has granted funding to create training with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) that identify as LGBTQ, their families, and staff. The DDPC conducted focus groups in the last 5 years. From these two focus groups (and conversations in additional focus groups that were not specific to this community) participants identified a great need for future DDPC work in supporting those with disabilities from the LGBTQ community. Some of the suggestions included: capacity building for current self-identified disability LGBTQ groups, strengthening the..