Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council

The Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services - DDDS invites you to join their May Fireside Chat featuring Dr. Charmaine Smith Wright, M.D., MSHP, Director of The Center for Special Health Care Needs at ChristianaCare. The Center provides primary care services for adults age 18 and older with complex medical and social needs that began in childhood and is the only program in the Delaware area focused on this type of care for adults. Join the conversation to learn how Dr. Wright and her team support individuals with disabilities with healthcare services throughout adulthood. Come as you are and stay as long as you can.

To register, visit: https://tinyurl.com/FiresideChatDE

May’s Fireside Chat welcomes Charmaine Smith Wright M.D., MSHP, Director of The Center for Special Health Care Needs at ChristianaCare. The Center provides primary care for adults age 18 and older with complex medical and social needs that began in childhood. It is the only program in the Delaware area focused on this type of care for adults. Join us to hear Dr. Wright share how her team supports people with disabilities with healthcare services throughout adulthood. Come as you are and stay as long as you can.

To register use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/FiresideChatDE

Today is School Board Election Day in Delaware! 🗳️

Polls are open today, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

School board elections are taking place in:
• Appoquinimink
• Caesar Rodney
• Christina
• Colonial
• Delmar
• Milford
• Red Clay Consolidated

For polling locations and additional information, visit:https://elections.delaware.gov/voter/pdfs/school_board_elections_polling_places_2026.pdf

School Board Elections are being held TODAY, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the following school districts: Appoquinimink, Caesar Rodney, Christina, Colonial, Delmar, Milford, and Red Clay Consolidated. Voters may vote at any school board election polling place in their school district between the voting hours of 7AM - 8PM. Voted absentee ballots must be received by the elections office in the voter's county of residence by 8PM tonight, 5/12/26 in order to count. For additional voting information, including voter eligibility, ID requirements, candidates, and polling places, please visit the Department's School Board Election webpage, https://elections.delaware.gov/school/index.shtml.

🚨 DEVELOPERS — WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 🏘️

We recently brought landlords to the table to talk about accessible and affordable housing for people with disabilities… now it’s time to continue the conversation with DEVELOPERS.

Too many people with disabilities still struggle to find housing that is affordable, accessible, and inclusive. Developers have the power to help change that.

Join us for:
A Way Home: Addressing Housing Challenges for People with Disabilities

This interactive virtual training will cover:

✅ Housing barriers people with disabilities face
✅ Fair housing rights and accessibility
✅ ADA-compliant vs. traditional unit costs
✅ Real solutions developers can help lead

📅 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
💻 Virtual Event

🔥 Fully endorsed by the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)

If you are a developer, builder, planner, or housing professional — this conversation matters. Let’s work together to create communities where everyone has a way home.

📌 Accommodation requests must be received by May 14, 2026.

🔗 Register now:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nVF1HQJDQUyFD5ZN8Wb7wQ

Image Description:
A gray and white flyer promotes a virtual housing training for developers called “A Way Home: Addressing Housing Challenges for People with Disabilities.” The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council logo appears in the top left corner, while the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) endorsement logo appears in the top right. The center of the flyer explains that the training will focus on helping developers understand housing barriers faced by people with disabilities and ways to create more accessible and inclusive communities. Event details state the training will take place virtually on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 p.m., with a Zoom link provided after registration. Images throughout the flyer show modern housing spaces, including kitchens and an accessible bathroom. A section near the bottom lists discussion topics such as fair housing rights, ADA-compliant versus traditional unit costs, and collaborative solutions for affordable accessible housing.

✨ Thank You for Joining Us – Power in Our Voices: Legal Support Options ✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday for Power in Our Voices: Legal Support Options. It was truly a meaningful and impactful conversation centered on choice, independence, and informed decision-making.

A special thank you to Councilmembers Terri Grube Hancharick, and Arte for openly sharing your personal stories. Your voices brought this conversation to life and reinforced why this work matters.

We also want to extend our appreciation to Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. - CLASI and Delaware Volunteer Legal Services for sharing their legal expertise and helping individuals and families better understand their options and next steps.

These conversations are critical. Everyone deserves access to clear information and the ability to choose what works best for them and their family.

👉 If you or someone you know is exploring legal support options, we strongly encourage you to connect with these organizations and learn more about the resources available.

Together, we continue building a community where every voice matters and every choice is respected.



Image Description:
A series of photos from a community event held in a large, well-lit meeting room. Attendees are seated at round tables, engaged in discussion and listening attentively. One image shows a woman speaking at a podium with a presentation displayed on a screen behind her. Another shows participants gathered around tables with notebooks, drinks, and flowers, actively participating. Additional photos highlight resource tables from legal organizations and a speaker using a microphone while seated in a power wheelchair. The environment reflects an inclusive and welcoming space for people with and without disabilities to learn and share experiences.