NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) is a statewide organization that works to improve opportunities and quality of life for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The Council works to ensure individuals have access to the services, supports, and resources necessary to live independently and be fully included in their communities. NCCDD funds projects, gathers public input, and promotes policies that advance self-determination, independence, and community participation for people with disabilities. Individuals and their family members can apply for reimbursement to attend seminars and conferences.
The full Council meets quarterly over two days and accepts public comment at least 24 hours before the meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for the first week of May. The Council’s Policy Education Meeting convenes the second Thursday of each month, during which information about current public policy is shared. These meetings are open to the public and can be accessed via Zoom.
Extra Special People (ESP) Launches First Programs in NC in the Piedmont Triad
Extra Special People (ESP), a Georgia-based non-profit, empowers people with disabilities and their families through year-round programs, summer camp, family support, and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Monthly Family Dinners are open to all families throughout the year to allow families to connect and share a meal together to build relationships and feel understood. Other programs include club events, Member+, summer camp, and employment through Java Joy. ESP brings 40 years of programming to High Point. If ESP is new to you, follow the link to learn more.
Family Support Opportunities in Western NC
Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country provides free support, caring connections, information, and hope to families who have a premature baby, a child with a disability, an emotional or behavioral challenge, a mental illness, a chronic health condition, or to families who are grieving the death of a child.
Family Support Network/HOPE provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages and with all types of special healthcare needs and disabilities. HOPE can match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities and circumstances, provide information about disabilities and medical conditions, help families find and access resources, coordinator parent support and education groups, training for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance for parents and caregivers, help young adults with disabilities become effective self-advocates, and promotes opportunities for individuals and families to be a part of improving resources, services and supports for people with disabilities. The HOPE Parent Resource Center has the federal designation of Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC).
Counties served: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and McDowell
Family Support Network of Western NC uses a community-based approach to help parents access services and resources for their child with disabilities, regardless of a child's age or time of diagnosis. Resources include parent-to-parent support, lending libraries, service system navigation support, support groups and workshops, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) outreach.
Counties served: Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania
Family Support Network of Region A connects caregivers of children with special needs to other caregivers with similar experiences, support groups and educational workshops, referrals to resources to support families, and assistance navigating systems to increase support and resources for children with special health care needs, disabilities, and behavior challenges, and their families.
Counties served: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Qualla Boundary, and Swain
FIRSTwnc assists families under the federal designation of Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC) through IDEA. Support includes information for parents about special education processes and parent rights, community and online training, problem-solving strategies, referrals to medical, educational, community services and support groups.
Counties served: Buncombe, Haywood, and Henderson counties
The Power Play of Inclusion
Team USA Takes Gold in 2026 Winter Paralympics
Team USA accomplished an unprecedented fifth consecutive Paralympic gold medal in Milan, Italy, on March 15. The sled hockey team set a United States record for the most goals scored in a single Paralympic tournament with 46 goals! This win marks the 6th gold medal for the team.
NC Hurricanes Sled Team Creates Opportunities for All
The North Carolina Hurricanes Sled Hockey (HSH) teams give individuals with a disability that prevents them from playing standard ice hockey and their families the opportunity to participate in adaptive ice hockey. The program accepts athletes ages 5 and older and supports all medical conditions or physical disabilities. Teams practice weekly and travel for tournaments. Sleds, hockey sticks, and general equipment are provided to players, but remain the property of HSH. Travel costs are reimbursed and waivers are available for registration fees. HSH makes every effort to create an inclusive opportunity for all.
Stay in the Know with ECAC Updates
The Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) distributes information about Tool Time Tuesdays, upcoming webinars with topics ranging from working with your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to employment and independent living, and Treasure Trove, a quarterly newsletter with resources to prepare youth for life beyond high school. YEP, Young Exceptional Perspectives, is a quarterly newsletter produced by and for North Carolina youth with Disabilities. Visit ECAC to stay connected!
Use Social Narratives to Build Social Skills
The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) has developed a series of social narratives to help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) understand the context of social situations and develop skills for those situations. Narratives are short, include images, and focus on key details for each situation so the individual can learn appropriate responses. Topics include hygiene, friendships, bullying, school and social scenarios, seasonal topics, food allergies, and staying safe. Many of the narratives are available in Spanish.
Your voice. Your school. Your Survey.
Take the Annual IDEA Survey Today
Your participation in your child’s education is very important to us. As a parent, family member, or guardian of a student with a disability, you know firsthand what is working and what is not. Therefore, each year, the Office of Exceptional Children (OEC) gathers feedback from families through a survey to improve services.
Please complete the 2025-2026 Exceptional Children Parent Survey to share your views on how your school involves you in your child’s education. The survey is available through all Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and open to all parents in the state. The survey will accept responses until June 30, 2026. If you have more than one child with a disability receiving services, you may complete the survey for each child. The survey is open to parents with children from preschool through high school.
Completing the survey is voluntary and anonymous. The survey consists of six questions and takes fewer than two minutes to complete. The information is confidential and will not be shared with anyone. The information from all families will be compiled to create a report about your school system, the state, the efforts to involve families in their children’s education, and the impact of that involvement on educational results for students with disabilities. The report is shared with LEAs so they can make improvements. We hope you will participate.
Agencies of Interest:
Office of Special Education Programs (U.S. Department of Education)
N.C. Department of Public Instruction
Upcoming Events:
Autism Society of North Carolina
Autism Speaks
The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center
Family Support Network
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NC ABLE
NC Down Syndrome Alliance
Special Olympics North Carolina
Triangle Disability & Autism Services
Do you have an event you would like to share with the community? Please email with information.
Contact information:
Johanna Lynch, IDEA Parent Liaison
Office of Exceptional Children, NCDPI
Email: johanna.lynch@dpi.nc.gov
Historical newsletters can be found in the Parent Newsletter Google Folder.
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