The South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (COALITION) is a grass-roots, statewide, disability advocacy organization that was started in the 1980s by a group of committed people who envisioned the difference that could be made through this working together on behalf of all people with disabilities.
- From the 1980s until late 1993, all of the COALITION's activities were carried out by a committed and passionate group of volunteers from throughout the state.
- "Access SD Project" was one of the first projects completed by the COALITION. This project worked to increase the awareness of local businesses to basic accessibility elements, and it was funded by the SD Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- Another early activity was the completion of a survey of persons with developmental disabilities. It was funded by the SD Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- The "Together We Can" Conference was hosted annually, involving people with disabilities and family members from across the state.
- In 1990 SDCCD was incorporated under the State of South Dakota Nonprofit Corporation Act. A bit later it received it's non-profit status from the IRS.
- In late 1993, an office was opened in Pierre, and the first staff was brought on board through an agreement with the SD Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services.
- Since those early agreements, the COALITION has partnered 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 on efforts to strengthen services, supports and increase opportunities for South Dakotans with disabilities. We continue 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 and advocacy activity has been a key part of our work. Examples of areas the COALITION has worked on, and continues to work on are:
- State building code
- Appropriate and equal education for children who are deaf and hard of hearing
- Continuation of Birth to Three Program and Autism Services
- Increased access to community based transit services statewide
- Increased access to accessible, affordable housing statewide
- Telecommunications Assistive Devices program
- Consumer directed personal attendant services
- Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
- Prescription Drug Coverage under Medicare
- Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act
- Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act
- Appropriations for services for persons with disabilities at the National and State levels
- Accessible parking
- Family Opportunity Act
- Mental Health Parity
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services Coverage under Medicare
- SDCCD has been awarded the Governor's Award for Distinguished Service
- The COALITION has facilitated the formation and continuation of the Disability Advocacy Network
- SDCCD joined with several other disability related organizations to host the bi-annual "Dare to Dream" Conference for people with disabilities of all ages and their families.
- And our work continues...