Self-Advocate

Self-Advocate Resources

It is important to learn self-advocacy skills because it helps people with developmental disabilities decide what they want and what is possible for them to expect. Having good self-advocacy skills people with developmental disabilities can have more control and make the life decisions that are best for them. Self-advocacy helps to empower people with developmental disabilities, to speak up for themselves and make decisions about their life.

Self-Advocate Membership & Training
Self-Advocate Resources
Connect with the NJCDD

PEOPLE FIRST

People First New Jersey is a membership group with a network of chapters located in Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Ocean, counties. Self-Advocate unite to affect changes in their local communities to advance the rights and opportunities of people with developmental disabilities on the state level.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

NJCDD’s Youth Leadership works with local groups and community-based organizations to provide leadership training for young people with developmental disabilities. Youth with developmental disabilities develop advocacy skills, team-building, public speaking, and how the government works in eight training sessions.

NJ PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING

New Jersey Partners in Policymaking. is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities (over age 21) and family members of children and transition-age youth. The goal of this program is to prepare the next generation of disability advocates to work toward meaningful change in our state.

LEGISLATIVE DISABILITY CAUCUS

New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus serves as a bipartisan forum within the NJ Legislature to understand and improve public policies on service system affecting individuals with disabilities and their families.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

A plan for when emergencies like floods, ice storms, hurricanes, fires, pandemics, and more occur. NJCDD outlines important information that people with developmental disabilities need to know to have a clear idea of what to do in such a situation.

VOTING

Voting is your right. The NJCDD in collaboration with the organization assists people with developmental disabilities with their voting rights, registering and preparing to vote, options for voting by mail and in-person, voting rights and accessibility, and contacting election officials.

R-WORD

The R-Word campaign raises awareness in the community that the words ‘retard’ and ‘retarded’ are hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, and encourages the public to eradicate these words from everyday vocabulary.

ANTI-BULLYING

Too many children with disabilities are not able to identify or articulate the support they need when confronted with bullying. The NJCDD provides information for prevention and response through its Anti-Bullying campaign.

COMMUNITY BUILDING AWARDS

The NJCDD established an awards program to recognize individuals that create inclusive communities while showing appreciation to those who demonstrate exceptional commitment and advocacy.

RESOURCES BY SUBJECT

The topic areas in alphabetical order on the resource page include information related to Individuals with disabilities.

CONNECT WITH US

On this page, you’ll find info regarding the different ways to get in touch with NJCDD regarding assistance for individuals, families, and professionals in the field of developmental disabilities.

SOCIAL MEDIA

You can connect with us and other developmental disabilities networks on NJCDD’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube sites you already like to spend time on.

NJCDD PUBLIC MEETINGS

NJCDD members meet quarterly to discuss state and national issues impacting people with developmental disabilities and their families. During these public meetings, members hear from projects funded by NJCDD. They also discuss best practices and policies needed to be an active and effective organization.

NJCDD EVENTS

This page highlights NJCDD community events related to developmental disabilities. You can use subscribe to receive notifications of upcoming events. The calendar will be updated on a weekly basis.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

“The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities is an affirmative action and equal opportunity, employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.”

DISABILITY IN FOCUS BLOG

DISABILITY IN FOCUS BLOG follows important news, legislation, and current events that affect people with developmental disabilities and their families. We provide commentary on issues that matter and new trends in our communities. Guest contributors provide their unique perspectives in New Jersey’s DD community

PUBLICATIONS

PUBLICATIONS provide vital up-to-date information for families and self-advocates; highlights organizations, programs, and individuals that make positive changes in the developmental disabilities community; and share noteworthy developmental disabilities stories from across the state and across the nation.

FACT SHEET & INFOGRAPHICS

FACT SHEET AND INFOGRAPHICS The NJCDD provides downloadable visual representations of the NJCDD summary, its network, and its publications.

Self-Advocate Membership & Training: PEOPLE FIRST

People First New Jersey is a membership group with a network of chapters located in Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Ocean, counties. Self-Advocate unite to affect changes in their local communities to advance the rights and opportunities of people with developmental disabilities on the state level.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

NJCDD’s Youth Leadership works with local groups and community-based organizations to provide leadership training for young people with developmental disabilities. Youth with developmental disabilities develop advocacy skills, team-building, public speaking, and how the government works in eight training sessions.

NJ PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING

New Jersey Partners in Policymaking. is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities (over age 21) and family members of children and transition-age youth. The goal of this program is to prepare the next generation of disability advocates to work toward meaningful change in our state.

LEGISLATIVE DISABILITY CAUCUS

New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus serves as a bipartisan forum within the NJ Legislature to understand and improve public policies on service system affecting individuals with disabilities and their families.
Self-Advocate Resources: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

A plan for when emergencies like floods, ice storms, hurricanes, fires, pandemics, and more occur. NJCDD outlines important information that people with developmental disabilities need to know to have a clear idea of what to do in such a situation.

VOTING

Voting is your right. The NJCDD in collaboration with the organization assists people with developmental disabilities with their voting rights, registering and preparing to vote, options for voting by mail and in-person, voting rights and accessibility, and contacting election officials.

R-WORD

The R-Word campaign raises awareness in the community that the words ‘retard’ and ‘retarded’ are hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, and encourages the public to eradicate these words from everyday vocabulary.

ANTI-BULLYING

Too many children with disabilities are not able to identify or articulate the support they need when confronted with bullying. The NJCDD provides information for prevention and response through its Anti-Bullying campaign.

COMMUNITY BUILDING AWARDS

The NJCDD established an awards program to recognize individuals that create inclusive communities while showing appreciation to those who demonstrate exceptional commitment and advocacy.

RESOURCES BY SUBJECT

The topic areas in alphabetical order on the resource page include information related to Individuals with disabilities.
Connect with the NJCDD: CONNECT WITH US

On this page, you’ll find info regarding the different ways to get in touch with NJCDD regarding assistance for individuals, families, and professionals in the field of developmental disabilities.

SOCIAL MEDIA

You can connect with us and other developmental disabilities networks on NJCDD’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube sites you already like to spend time on.

NJCDD PUBLIC MEETINGS

NJCDD members meet quarterly to discuss state and national issues impacting people with developmental disabilities and their families. During these public meetings, members hear from projects funded by NJCDD. They also discuss best practices and policies needed to be an active and effective organization.

NJCDD EVENTS

This page highlights NJCDD community events related to developmental disabilities. You can use subscribe to receive notifications of upcoming events. The calendar will be updated on a weekly basis.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

“The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities is an affirmative action and equal opportunity, employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.”

DISABILITY IN FOCUS BLOG

DISABILITY IN FOCUS BLOG follows important news, legislation, and current events that affect people with developmental disabilities and their families. We provide commentary on issues that matter and new trends in our communities. Guest contributors provide their unique perspectives in New Jersey’s DD community

PUBLICATIONS

PUBLICATIONS provide vital up-to-date information for families and self-advocates; highlights organizations, programs, and individuals that make positive changes in the developmental disabilities community; and share noteworthy developmental disabilities stories from across the state and across the nation.

FACT SHEET & INFOGRAPHICS

FACT SHEET AND INFOGRAPHICS The NJCDD provides downloadable visual representations of the NJCDD summary, its network, and its publications.