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Who We Are

Since 1952 The Council on Developmental Disabilities, a private non-profit association of families and friends of persons with developmental disabilities, has been advocating for persons with developmental disabilities in Jefferson County since 1952.

The Council is a member agency of Metro United Way. Additional funding sources include: private, state, and federal grants; self-generated and program fees; foundation gifts and grants; and donations from the general public.


What are developmental disabilities?

Developmental disabilities are severe, life-long disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical impairments which manifest themselves before the age of 22 years and are likely to continue indefinitely. They result in substantial limitations in three or more of the following areas:

• self-care
• comprehension and language
• skills (receptive and expressive language)
• learning
• mobility
• self-direction
• capacity for independent living
• economic self-sufficiency
• ability to function independently without coordinated services (continuous need for individually planned and coordinated services).
Persons with developmental disabilities use individually planned and coordinated services and supports of their choosing (e.g., housing, employment, education, civil and human rights protection, health care) to live in and to participate in activities in the community.

The Council interprets a developmental disability to include all disabilities that impact a person’s physical, intellectual, behavioral, sensory, developmental, and/or emotion functioning.



For over fifty years, since the Council On Developmental Disabilities was created by a group of concerned parents,
Parent Outreach activities have been a core part of the Council! About 25 years ago on a more formal basis,
the Parent Outreach program was established because parents realized the tremendous benefits they gained through their
interactions with one another. Since that time the Council has provided a staff person who works with the Parent
Outreach Committee to develop ways to facilitate ongoing friendships between parents of infants, children, and adult children with developmental disabilities.



Our Sponsors

Henderman Jessee & Co. Family Allergy
Stock Yards Bank Brown-Forman
PNC Bank USI Insurance
Weber Group Non-Profit Partners
Wyatt Tarrant & Combs Fifth Third Bank
Spalding University Service Net
Deming, Malone, Livsay & Ostroff Ramsey & Associates
Seven Counties Services Bluegrass MH/MR Board
Norton Hospital Chyron Group
Power Creative Conte & Parker Associates


The Council completed a ten-month study of our name—a process in which many of you have participated. After exhaustive study, input, and discussion, Council membership voted in October 2009 to change our name to “The Council on Developmental Disabilities, Inc.,” effective January 1, 2010.

This change reflects our ever-expanding base. Our new name more accurately describes constituents currently utilizing the services and programs of the Council, and those impacted by our advocacy. As the world of disabilities becomes more sophisticated and precise, access to services becomes more complex. Welcome improvements in diagnostic testing have, ironically, led to more challenges for families. A diagnosis of mental retardation (now referred to as intellectual disabilities) is often only one of a number of diagnoses a child or adult might face—there may also be autism or cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or spina bifida, mental illness or sensory difficulties. The name change allows the Council to extend its outreach to all of these people and many others who currently fall between the cracks of service delivery and to advocate on behalf of groups who currently have no voice.

We are proud of any change that will bring HOPE to more people, assist the development of a VISION of possibilities, and encourage consumers and families to proudly give VOICE to their needs and accomplishments.