Our Belief Statement

The South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities believes in the inclusion of all people into all aspects of society and that everyone should have the freedom of choice to pursue their own quality of life.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities is to advocate for the full inclusion of all individuals of all ages with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Our Vision Statement

The South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities provides resources and advocacy for all individuals to exercise their rights and freedoms:

• We support the idea that people with greater needs should receive greater support, and people with greater gifts are called to share those gifts with others.
• We support the idea that people should be as active and independent members of society as they choose to be.
• We promote self-responsibility, self-determination, and freedom of choice.
• We want to expand our network of partners to provide opportunities for their involvement.
• We promote unity by serving as a single point of contact for all disability groups.

The South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities is a disability advocacy organization that was started in the 1980s. This page contains the history and the direction of the SDCCD.

SDCCD
HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

• During the mid 1980s a group of people from Sioux Falls and the surrounding area began meeting to begin dreaming of a coalition in SD.
• Char Crisp met Jim DeJong, then Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, at a National Council on Independent Living conference, and he came to SD for a conference, at which time people began to explore how to get a coalition started in SD.
• This group of people continued meeting for several years, continuously working towards the birth of SDCCD.
• One of the first projects SDCCD completed was "Access SD Project." This project was aimed at increasing the awareness of local businesses to very basic accessibility elements. The SD Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities provided funding for this project.
• Another early activity was the completion of a survey of 50 persons with developmental disabilities about the services they were receiving. The SD Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities funded this activity.
• Barrier Awareness Days and other disability awareness activities i.e., ADA Anniversary Celebrations, in Sioux Falls and other communities throughout the state, have been an ongoing element of our activities.
• The "Together We Can" and "Dare to Dream" conferences have provided, and continue to provide, persons with disabilities and family members with training on services and issues of importance to them, as well as the opportunity to develop advocacy skills and networking links throughout the state.
• In 1990 SDCCD was incorporated under the State of South Dakota Nonprofit Corporation Act. Up until December of 1993, many committed volunteers throughout the state carried out SDCCD activities.
• In late 1993, an office was opened in Pierre, and the first staff was brought on board. This was made possible through an agreement with the SD Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation. The agreement purchased staff support for the Board of Vocational Rehabilitation and Statewide Independent Living Council.
• Since those early agreements, SDCCD has had the opportunity to enter into agreements and partner with: U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Rocky Mountain Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center and the South Dakota Department of Transportation. In addition, SDCCD has continued working closely with the SD Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, and the SD Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities on a variety of efforts.
• Since the beginning, legislative activity has been a key part of the SDCCD mission and activities. Some examples of legislation worked on by SDCCD are:
  • Transit services
  • Housing availability
  • Telecommunications Assistive Devices program
  • Consumer directed personal attendant definition in State law
  • Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
  • Prescription Drug Coverage under Medicare
  • Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Assistive Technology Act
  • Appropriations for services for persons with disabilities, both on the National and State levels
  • Accessible parking
  • Family Opportunity Act
  • Mental Health Parity
  • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services Coverage under Medicare
• SDCCD board members and staff have been called upon to do presentations at:
  • Local service and other community organizations
  • Statewide conferences
  • Youth Leadership Forum
• SDCCD has been awarded the Governor's Award for Distinguished Service
• SDCCD staff have been selected to serve on:
  • Easter Seals Project ACTION National Steering Committee
  • Two Transportation Cooperative Research Program panels
  • Native American Summit Planning Committee
  • Youth Leadership Forum Planning Group

About the Board of Directors

The South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities Board of Directors provides direction and sets the organizations policies on behalf of the membership. Click on the following links to view information on the board makeup, by-laws and more.

By-Laws: View the current by-laws of the SDCCD. These govern the organization and board activities.

Board: View a list of the current Board of Directors and how to contact the Board President.

Minutes: View the 2007 Annual Membership Meeting Minutes.

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