Apply for DD Council Membership

The Council welcomes applications for membership year round. Council members are appointed by the Governor and serve four-year terms.  Whenever there is a vacancy, a membership committee of the Council reviews all the applications received throughout the year and makes recommendations to the full Council for approval. Names are then submitted to the Governor for his consideration.  The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) includes criteria for all states to follow in selecting their DD Council’s membership (including the definition of a developmental disability) and the Louisiana Council takes care to ensure our membership is in compliance with the DD Act.

Applicants must be one of the following:

• An individual with a developmental disability;
• A parent or guardian of a child with a developmental disability;
• The immediate relative or guardian of an adult with an intellectual developmental disability who cannot advocate for themselves; or
• A representative of a local, non-governmental or non-profit organization concerned with services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Council members are appointed by the Governor and generally serve four-year terms. When a vacancy exists, a membership committee of the Council reviews all applications received throughout the year and makes recommendations to the full Council for approval. Council-approved recommendations are submitted to the Governor for consideration. The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act includes criteria for states to follow in selecting their Council’s membership (including the definition of developmental disabilities). The Louisiana Council assures its membership complies with federal law. To address the need for increased racial and gender diversity on the Council, applicants who are African-American and/or male may be prioritized for consideration.