Established in 1973 by the State Legislature, the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) was created to advise the Governor, state agencies, State Legislature, and the public on disability issues. Our mission is to advocate for policies and programs in the public and private sectors that advance the rights of Minnesotans with disabilities. To accomplish that mission, we concentrate on policy, training, and being the State of Minnesota’s premiere disability-related technical resource.
Notice: Some of the material on this page references our previous name: Minnesota State Council on Disability or MSCOD.
Read an overview of our statutory responsibilities.
View the MSCOD 40th Anniversary Video to learn more about the Council’s history and its many achievements.
Read our MSCOD Brochure (PDF).
Policy Advisor
MCD advises the Governor, State Legislature, state agencies, and local units of government on issues affecting Minnesotans with disabilities by:
- Analyzing proposed legislation and working with policymakers to ensure they understand the impacts of decisions on Minnesotans with disabilities.
- Bringing citizens and policymakers together so that people with disabilities have an opportunity to interact with the elected officials through MCD’s Annual Legislative Forum, Town Hall Meetings, and policy dialogues. Events are all broadcast statewide via video conference and web streaming.
- Delivering presentations to other agencies and community organizations on policy issues affecting Minnesotans with disabilities, such as transportation, employment, and Olmstead Reform.
Technical Assistance
MCD works to ensure that Minnesota’s public and private entities receive the technical information they need to come into compliance with building code and access requirements. Through in-person and webcast trainings all over the state and over-the-phone consultations, MCD works with the public and private sector to monitor and advise on disability civil rights, the ADA, building code, and access compliance.
Our areas of technical expertise include:
- ADA Information
- Building and Residential Access
- Disability Parking
- Disability Etiquette and Awareness
- Emergency Preparedness
- Voting Accessibility
Training and Outreach
Schedule training for your organization, or call us at 651-361-7800 to speak with an access specialist.
Data Access
The Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13) says that MCD must keep all government data in a way that makes it easy for the public to access data. You have the right to inspect, free of charge, all public data that we maintain. You also have the right to receive copies of public data. The Data Practices Act allows MCD to charge for copies. You have the right to inspect data before deciding to request copies.
MCD Data Practices Policy for the Public (Word)
MCD may have data on individuals, such as information and referral requests, personnel or council appointments data. We can collect and keep data about you only when we have a legal purpose to have the data. MCD must also keep all government data in a way that makes it easy for you to access data about you.
MCD Data Practices Policy for the Data Subject (Word)