Golisano Institute Welcomes National Council on Disability Recommendation to Advance Disability Competency in Nursing and Health Professional Education 

Federal action signals a national opportunity to embed disability clinical competency within nursing preparation and clinical practice standards

The Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing at St. John Fisher University applauds the National Council on Disability’s (NCD) August 19, 2026, consideration and historic vote on its disability clinical care and competency policy brief.  

This landmark recommendation for federal action is a critical acceleration of the national movement to prepare healthcare professionals with the competencies required to deliver equitable, high-quality, and person-centered care to all patients, including those individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

Health disparities among people with IDD remain substantial, with research showing significantly poorer outcomes and reduced life expectancy compared with the general population. These inequities are often reinforced by gaps in professional education, as disability-specific competencies are frequently underrepresented in medical and health professions curricula. As a result, patients with IDD often encounter challenges such as ineffective communication, misinterpretation of symptoms, and the attribution of new health concerns to an existing disability rather than appropriate clinical investigation. 

Nurses represent the largest segment of the healthcare workforce in the United States. The Institute maintains that excellence in nursing is inseparable from the ability to provide competent care to people with disabilities. To meet this standard, nurses and advanced practice providers must be educated to deliver inclusive, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate care for all individuals, including those with IDD across the lifespan. 

“The NCD’s historic vote provides a powerful federal lever to transition these standards from localized academic efforts to a nationwide clinical mandate,” states Dr. Holly Brown, executive director of the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing. 

Students, clinical teams, and—most importantly—patients with IDD deserve a healthcare system built on diagnostic curiosity, respect for autonomy, and an unwavering commitment to health equity.” 

The Institute looks forward to reviewing the NCD's finalized policy brief and working collaboratively with the NCD, AADMD, Project D.I.M.E., and healthcare systems nationally  to ensure that disability clinical competency is firmly embedded into the foundation of all professional healthcare education.