ANCOR Global Council

ANCOR’s Global Council exists to create opportunities for ANCOR members to learn from intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) service delivery systems beyond the 50 states, and to contribute to initiatives that enhance the lives of people with I/DD across the globe. 

In the past few years, ANCOR’s Global Council has mobilized members to donate resources in light of the war in Ukraine and organized a study tour to Puerto Rico.

In addition, other activities have included: 

• Delivering consulting services to Puerto Rico that included organizing site visits for Puerto Rican policymakers to United States mainland providers, person-centered planning training and working to connect Puerto Rican providers with ANCOR members in the United States 
• Spearheading learning visits to Moldova and India.
• Supporting fundraising to purchase a van in Moldova to assist in evacuating and supporting Ukrainians with disabilities and their families.
• Engaging with, and learning from, our counterparts across the globe through engagement with the European Association of Service Providers for People with Disabilities (EASPD), Inclusion International and the Zero Project.
• Engaging with the United States Department of State Disability Advisor and participated in the United Nations Conferences of States Parties on the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The ANCOR Global Council seeks to actively engage and collectively raise our voices in the worldwide human rights movement in the support of people with intellectual and development disability (I/DD). This overarching goal will be advanced through: 

• Listening to and supporting the voices of people, families, and their advocates; advocating for inclusivity and development of cultural community options and resources. 
• Educating the Global Council and strengthening our networks through study tours and engagement with global organizations and associations, including ANCOR members, to enhance cultural competencies and understand diverse cultures. 

• Opportunities for study tours can be offered through ANCOR members and/or in conjunction with other international partners such as American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) or the Global Leadership Exchange. 
• Study tour opportunities will include clear goals that allow identified learning for participants. 

• Facilitating opportunities for ANCOR members to engage in global work as subject matter experts, service providers and volunteers, becoming recognized as a resource for the United States Department of State, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United Nations, Inclusion International, the European Association of Service Providers of Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) and others. 
• Actively participating in exchanging effective advocacy for human rights, social justice, and inclusion global-wide to include, but not be limited to service delivery strategies, policy and practices.  
• Supporting and encouraging the ratification of the United Nations Convention of the Rights for Persons with Disability (CRPD) by all governmental authorities within the United States.  
• Making recommendations and supporting ANCOR’s advocacy related to United States international disability policy.  
• Fostering workforce and leading practice development through reciprocal opportunities to host delegations of providers, policymakers, and individuals and families, including direct support professionals.

Watch our short video, which highlights the value ANCOR’s Global Council brings to our community of providers and beyond.