Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council

BKDDC is group of family members, people with disabilities and professionals who volunteer their time to improve the lives of people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities living in Brooklyn.

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  • Membership Dues for the 2025/26 council year are now open and due by November 30, 2025. Dues, which are an annual fee of $150 per provider agency (non-profit) and $200 for each for-profit agency, help fund our key initiatives, including:

    * The Annual Family Support Fair

    * The Legislative Breakfast

    * Advocacy Efforts

    * Website/Virtual Platform Maintenance

    Your participation is crucial, as these funds allow us to connect families and caregivers with vital services, advocate for our community’s needs, and ensure the intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) population remains a priority in conversations across Brooklyn and New York City.

    Membership Benefits:

    By paying dues and fulfilling our participation requirements, your agency receives several benefits:

    * Website listing: Your agency’s name and website will be listed on bkddcouncil.org.

    * Event discounts: Get discounted rates for BKDDC events.

    * Voting rights: Paid agencies that attend at least three meetings between September and June receive one vote in officer elections.

    * Committee participation: Join, attend, and present at various committees.

    Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council.

    Payment Info:

    Payable To: Heaven’s Hands Community Services, Inc.
    Memo: 2025 BKDDC Dues
    Attn: Bryan Rothenstein
    Address: 67-10 Myrtle Avenue, 2nd Floor, Queens NY 11385

    Regards,

    The Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council Executive Committee

  • Rally to Stop the Federal Budget Scam

    Thursday, July 31, 2025
    11:00 AM
    Foley Square, New York City

    New York is under attack.

    The Federal budget scam will devastate our state — close hospitals, spike health insurance premiums and utility bills, gut the public benefits and make our communities less safe… all while millionaires and billionaires rake in unfair tax breaks.

    We refuse to let New Yorkers be sacrificed to this federal cruelty.

    Join us on July 31st at 11am in Foley Square as we rally to demand that Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature take immediate action. We’re calling for a Special Session to:

    • Fund our healthcare system and ensure New York is affordable for everyone by making the super-wealthy pay their fair share of taxes; and 
    • Keep New Yorkers safe by passing the New York for All and Dignity in Detention Acts.

    This is a moment of moral clarity. New Yorkers need real leadership — not silence.

    We need lawmakers to stand up and protect our communities. We can’t afford to wait.

    Click Here To Register To Attend!

  • Register for Summer Track!
    Fast Feet’s Community Running Programs are open to children and young adults of all abilities! Led by a team of coaches, occupational therapists, and dedicated volunteers, our athletes spend six weeks working on their fitness, form drills, coordination, body awareness, agility and teamwork skills. Cost: $120 for six weeks.
    REGISTER NOW! Space is limited. Self Direction Approved. Financial assistance available. We can’t wait to train with you this summer!

    Bronx: Van Cortlandt Track Park – Sundays, 10:00 – 10:45 am & 10:45 – 11:30 AM [July 6, 2025 – August 10, 2025]
    East Harlem: Thomas Jefferson Park Track, Mondays, 5:15 – 6:15 PM [July 7, 2025 – August 11, 2025]
    Staten Island: Susan E. Wagner High School Track, Mondays, 6:00 – 7:00 pm [July 14, 2025 – August 18, 2025]
    Westchester: Pace University, Indoor Track, Mondays, 5:00 – 6:00 PM [July 14, 2025 – August 11, 2025] **5 weeks
    Queens: Victory Field Track, Forest Park, Tuesdays, 5:00 – 6:00 PM [July 8, 2025 – August 12, 2025]
    Queens: Astoria Park Track, Wednesdays, 5:00 – 5:45 PM & 6:00 – 6:45 PM [July 9, 2025 – August 13, 2025]
    Brooklyn: Fort Hamilton Track Park, Bay Ridge, Wednesdays, 5:00 – 5:45 PM & 6:00 – 6:45 PM [July 9, 2025 – August 13, 2025]
    Brooklyn: McCarren Track, Thursdays, 5:00 – 5:45 PM & 6:00 – 6:45 PM [July 10, 2025 – August 14, 2025]

    REGISTER HERE
    In-Person Social Skills Classes
    We’re excited to share that our popular in-person Social Skills classes are returning with new summer dates! Help your child build important social skills for self-discovery, healthy emotional expression and meaningful relationships. Weekly classes focus on topics like empathy, emotions, independence and manners while incorporating movement and play.

    Move and Play is a movement-based social skills class for children ages 3–5, where little ones build confidence and connection through obstacle courses, group games, fine motor crafts, and more! Through playful, hands-on experiences, children practice turn-taking, following directions, and working together in a nurturing environment. Class size is limited to five children for individualized support and engagement.

    Movement-Based Social Skills is an engaging class for children ages 6–9 that blends agility, coordination, and body awareness with targeted social skill development through active games and group activities. Children will strengthen teamwork, communication, and self-regulation while moving their bodies and having fun with peers. Class is limited to six children to support individualized attention and meaningful peer interaction.
    When: Mondays – July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11
    Move and Play Class: 4:45PM – 5:30PM
    Movement Based Social Skills Class: 5:45PM – 6:30PM
    Where: Fast Feet Community Space, 67 West Street, Brooklyn, NY
    Cost: $120 per season (four weeks)

    Please Note: Participants should be able to focus on a 10-15 minute tabletop task and demonstrate simple conversational skills.

    LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.
    Strength & Conditioning
    Boost your flexibility, power, and speed with dynamic workouts designed to get you track-season ready!

    Strength & Conditioning Class (IN PERSON): Fridays – 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, and 8/15

    Time: Session 1 – 5:00 – 5:45 PM; Session 2 – 5:45 – 6:30 PM
    Instructor: Amadou Henri Ba
    Location: Fast Feet Community Space: 67 West Street Suite 520, Brooklyn 11222
    Cost: $80 for the 4 week cycle

    Description: Prepare your body for peak performance with our Strength and Conditioning class! Designed to enhance flexibility, movement, power, speed, and overall fitness, this dynamic class incorporates a variety of exercises to keep you engaged and challenged. Athletes will participate in circuit training, plyometrics, and agility-focused drills, ensuring a well-rounded workout experience. Whether you’re gearing up for the spring track season or simply looking to elevate your fitness level, this class is the perfect opportunity to build strength, improve endurance, and achieve your athletic goals. Open to ages 7+

    REGISTER HERE
    East New York: One-Day Clinic

    Location: Linden Park Track [Linden Blvd. &, Vermont St, Brooklyn, NY 11207]
    When: Saturday, July 12 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
    Cost: FREE!

    We’re thrilled to bring our inclusive running clinic to Linden Park Track in East New York! This is more than just a workout — it’s a chance for young athletes of all abilities to build confidence, community, and a love for movement right in their own neighborhood. Open to ages 5+.

    This one-hour clinic is designed to be high-energy, supportive, and fun. Athletes will warm up together as a team, take on agility and running drills tailored to their goals, and finish strong with a group cooldown and reflections on leadership and teamwork.

    Whether your child is new to running or already loves to race, this clinic is a space where everyone belongs and everyone can grow.

    Join us as we lace up, get moving, and bring the power of inclusive fitness to East New York!

    REGISTER HERE