Project Resources

This page features resources developed through the OPWDD–NCCC Partnership for Systems Change to support continued advancement of policies and practices of cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion across New York State’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) system.

Resources include practice resources and reports designed to support implementation across the system. Additional curated resources are available in the Resource Bank to support ongoing learning and application.

Project Hubs

Project Hubs

The Project Hubs provide centralized access to resources developed through the OPWDD–NCCC Partnership for Systems Change. Dedicated hubs are available for OPWDD staff, the provider network, and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Resources available through the hubs include professional development materials, tools, reports, and other materials designed to support continued learning and implementation of cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion across the intellectual and developmental disabilities system. Login is required to access the OPWDD Staff and Provider Network Project Hubs.

Video Series

Cultural Perspectives on Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This video series features personal documentaries, topic videos, and companion guides that highlight the experiences, cultures, languages, strengths, and priorities of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Viewers are encouraged to watch the videos, use the guides for reflection and discussion, and share the series with others working to strengthen culturally and linguistically competent supports and services.

Reports

Listening Sessions and Interviews of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Families Residing in New York State

This report summarizes findings from listening sessions and interviews conducted between February and December 2025 with persons with IDD and families residing in New York State. The report shares their experiences, priorities, and recommendations to inform policies and practices that advance cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion across New York State's IDD system. The full report, executive summary, and clear language executive summary are publicly available. Translated versions of the clear language executive summary are available below in 13 versions—including Simplified and Traditional Chinese—representing the top 12 languages spoken in New York State.

Reports of the 2024 Regional Service Provider Forums

The 2024 Regional Service Provider Forums engaged providers across New York State to assess the implementation of cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the IDD system. Findings were compiled into a report highlighting key successes, challenges, and recommendations to strengthen practice across the provider network. Access the full report and summaries to explore the findings and inform your work.

Practice Resources

What Can I Do? Advocating for Cultural and Linguistic Competence

This resource offers practical guidance to support advocacy for cultural and linguistic competence in everyday interactions. It encourages individuals to reflect on their own culture, learn about others, and consider how communication and language shape inclusion. Explore the resource to strengthen inclusive and respectful engagement across diverse communities.

Five Ways Families Can Advocate for Cultural and Linguistic Competence

This resource provides practical guidance for families to advocate for cultural and linguistic competence in supports and services. It emphasizes honoring cultural identities, practicing curiosity, and ensuring communication and services reflect each person’s values, language, and needs. Explore the resource to strengthen advocacy and support person-centered care.

Five Ways to Advocate for Cultural and Linguistic Competence

This resource provides practical guidance for providers to advocate for cultural and linguistic competence in supports and services. It focuses on incorporating cultural and language preferences of persons with IDD into everyday practice. Explore the resource to strengthen inclusive, person-centered supports.

Your Voice Matters: Reasons to Participate in Research

This resource highlights the importance of participation in research by persons with IDD and their families. It emphasizes how sharing lived experience can inform decisions, improve supports and services, and help shape future systems. Explore the resource to understand the value of your voice in research.

Best Practices in Research: Engaging Persons with Lived Experience

This resource provides practical guidance for researchers to engage persons with IDD and their families throughout the research process. It highlights key practices such as inclusion, clear communication, transparency, and sustained partnership to ensure research is meaningful and responsive to lived experience. Explore the resource to strengthen inclusive and culturally and linguistically competent research practices.

Asynchronous Learning Modules

Cultural and Linguistic Competence Basics: Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families:
For OPWDD Staff | For the Provider Network

A four-part asynchronous learning series, Cultural and Linguistic Competence Basics: Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, is available through the password-protected OPWDD Staff and Provider Network Project Hubs. This self-paced series supports direct support professionals, supervisors, managers, and others across the IDD system in strengthening their knowledge, awareness, and skills in cultural and linguistic competence. Participants are encouraged to complete all four modules in order to gain the full benefit of the series and receive a certificate of completion. The Asynchronous Learning Modules are available to OPWDD staff through the password-protected OPWDD Project Hub and to the provider network through the password-protected Provider Network Project Hub.

Assessment Tool

Cultural and Linguistic Competence Assessment for Developmental Disability Organizations (CLCADDO)

The CLCADDO is an organizational assessment designed to help developmental disability service providers evaluate policies, practices, and organizational capacity related to cultural and linguistic competence. It supports providers in identifying strengths, opportunities for growth, and strategies to advance equitable and culturally responsive services. The CLCADDO is available to the provider network through the password-protected Provider Network Project Hub.

The content and materials developed by the National Center for Cultural Competence are copyrighted and protected by Georgetown University's copyright policies. Permission is required if the material is to be:

modified in any way
used in broad distribution
used for commercial purposes

Request permission to use NCCC Materials

For technical support with the website, please email OPWDD-NCCCpartnership@georgetown.edu.

Project Resources

Project Hubs

Video Series

Reports

Practice Resources

Asynchronous Learning Modules

Cultural and Linguistic Competence Basics: Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families: For OPWDD Staff | For the Provider Network

Assessment Tool

Cultural and Linguistic Competence Basics: Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families:
For OPWDD Staff | For the Provider Network