KISSIMMEE, FL — From April 20–22, 2026, the Aging Caregiver and I/DD Cross-Systems Initiative (AGEDD) Summit convened in Kissimmee, Florida, bringing together state, national, and community leaders to strengthen systems of support for aging caregivers and their adult children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Hosted by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and Margaret Lynn Duggar & Associates, the Summit focused on innovation, collaboration, sustainability, and advocacy across the aging and disability networks.
Participants included self-advocates, family caregivers, service providers, community organizations, state agencies, and federal partners committed to improving outcomes for individuals with I/DD and their families. The Summit marked a significant milestone in a multi-year initiative that began more than six years ago to better align aging and disability systems in support of families, particularly aging parents caring for adult children with disabilities.
Over the past four and a half years, Communities of Practice across Florida met virtually to strengthen relationships, identify service gaps, and advance cross-system collaboration. The 2026 Summit provided many participants with an in-person opportunity to reconvene after years of virtual engagement, while others reunited to continue long-standing partnerships.
A major highlight of the Summit was the participation of newly appointed Administration on Disabilities Commissioner, Dr. Rebecca Hines, who addressed attendees during the Opening Session. She urged attendees to “look for the natural connections within your community.” She shared her vision for the future of the Administration on Disabilities under the Administration for Community Living, emphasizing collaboration, inclusion, and cross-system partnerships.
David Jones, Director of Intellectual and Developmental Disability at the Administration for Community Living (ACL), also participated throughout the Summit, engaging in discussions on systems coordination, sustainability planning, and the continuation of this work beyond the current federal funding period. He highlighted the Caregiver AI Prize Competition as a national initiative supporting innovative, ethical AI solutions to reduce caregiver burden and strengthen the direct care workforce. The competition offers up to $2.5 million in prize funding across two tracks focused on caregiver support tools and workforce support innovation.
Directing the Bridging the Aging and Disability Networks (BADN) project for the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Serena Lower shared examples of what other state DD Councils are doing to bring together these two networks. There were several examples that have promise for implementation in Florida.
The Summit also welcomed Bob Asztalos, newly appointed Director of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), who engaged with participants in discussions on the services available for individuals with developmental disabilities. Throughout the Summit, Communities of Practice from across Florida shared powerful examples of how collaboration between Aging and I/DD providers are creating meaningful change for caregivers and individuals with I/DD while offering cross-training opportunities to staff in both networks. As one phase of the AGEDD initiative concludes, participants also focused on sustaining momentum and strengthening partnerships moving forward. The event served both as a celebration of accomplishments and a recommitment to continued system transformation.
The 2026 AGEDD Summit reinforced the power of connection and collaboration in addressing the complex needs of aging caregivers and individuals with I/DD. As attendees departed Kissimmee, they carried forward renewed energy, strengthened partnerships, and a shared commitment to support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their aging caregivers across aging and disability networks throughout Florida.