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Details on the WCDD State Plan

Why we have a State Plan  [back to home]

The Council is required by federal law (PL 106-402) to develop a State Plan every five years. This Plan guides the work and activities of the Council for those five years. Usually the Council chooses activities that address changes in the systems affecting people with disabilities. The basic principle of the Plan is to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities in Wisconsin. Since the Plan is a public document, it allows the public to know what activities the Council is working on and how they might be able to assist the Council in their efforts.

The Vision of the Plan [back to home]

The Council believes that all people, children and adults, who have developmental disabilities, should be fully included in the community. In addition, they have the same rights as anyone: right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and the right to control one’s own life and destiny. The Plan will advance the opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. With the support of families and others who believe in these values, they will pursue their own goals and be fully included in the community.

How the Plan was Developed  [back to home]

Throughout 2005 the Council worked on the development of the State Plan. First, the Council discussed among them what they perceived were the most pressing needs and issues facing people with developmental disabilities in the state. They then discussed how to obtain comment from the general public.

It was decided to hold a series of six World Cafés around the state. These cafés were designed to get comments the way many people typically discuss matters of the day, over a cup of coffee. The cafés were held with the general public, self advocates, and disability advocates. People at the cafés were asked two questions: What changes do you most want to see for people with disabilities by 2011 and what are some things the Council can do to make the changes you want to happen? The information gathered from the cafés was put into broad categories to ease Council discussion.

The Council first recognized that there were too many needs so that not everything would be able to be included into this Plan. The Council worked throughout the summer to limit the scope of the Plan and activities. The intent was that by limiting the scope of the Plan, the few remaining items would have a better chance to succeed. It was decided to limit the Plan to three goals and one general area for public education. Each goal would have several objectives that would further advance the goal and offer measurable outcomes.

Plan Goals:

The Goals of the Plan describe the main areas of change the Council intends to address during the five years of the Plan. This Plan has three goals and one general area for public education. Each goal has between five and seven objectives that further explain how the goal will be addressed and measured. The public helped to identify and frame these goals and objectives.