Patrick Reinhart
Acting Executive Director
Heidi Lieb-Williams
Council Chair
Creating change that improves the lives of Alaskans
with disabilities
Contact Us
- Toll Free: 1-888-269-8990
- Phone: 907-269-8990
- Email: GCDSE@alaska.gov
- Fax: 907-269-8995
- Address: Robert B. Atwood Building
550 W 7th Ave, Suite 1230, Anchorage, AK 99501
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Developmental Disabilities Shared Vision
Alaskans share a vision of a flexible system in which each person directs their own supports, based on their strengths and abilities, toward a meaningful life in their home, their job and their community. Our vision includes supported families, professional staff and services available throughout the state now and into the future. DD Shared Vision Website
Headlines
- SILC Conference 2022: 'Living, Working, and Playing Towards Independence', on September 21st-23rd, 2022 at the Egan Convention Center. The purpose of the conference is to bring together disability advocates and agencies from across the state for learning and networking in a cross-disability manner. Our goal is that participants in this conference learn new tools and discover opportunities that promote independent living, working, and playing in Alaska.
- Alaska Work Matters Task Force: Final Report
In early 2021, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy initiated the formation of the Alaska
Work Matters Task Force under the umbrella of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities
and Special Education (GCDSE) and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (Mental
Health Trust). The directors of the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
and the GCDSE were named as chair and co-chair, and 22 additional individuals
representing state agencies and boards, Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation, Mental
Health Trust beneficiaries, employers, and educators were selected to participate.
The purpose of the Task Force was to review and analyze existing policies,
practices, and procedures, barriers, and workforce utilization data regarding the
employment of people with disabilities in the State of Alaska, and prepare a report
that includes recommendations that should be adopted by the Governor and
applicable departments, agencies, and commissions of the executive branch, and
policy options for consideration by the legislative branch to expand and improve
employment opportunities and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
- GCDSE is looking for new council members — apply today!
- Ric Nelson and Corey Gilmore have an important message to share with the community about COVID. Variants and recommendations may change, but we know it's still important to be up-to-date on your COVID vaccines and to wear well-fitted, multi-layered masks to protect yourself and those around you! For more information about how you can get vaccinated, visit CovidVax.Alaska.gov, or call Alaska’s COVID helpline at 907-646-3322. To view other videos in the series, visit our
COVID Vaccine Champions Playlist.
- Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities of Alaska Governance Policy
- Special Education Advisory Panel Annual Report FFY 2021
- 9 Core Messages: What Everyone Should Know About Prenatal Alcohol Exposure - A hands-on resource for individuals, families, professionals, and decision-makers that explains basic concepts and impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure, associated diagnoses (FAS, FASDs, etc.), common characteristics including strengths and challenges, the importance of diagnosis and early Interventions, prevalence, strategies for success, prevention, advocacy, and Alaskan resources.
Resources