The State Council of Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) held its 23rd Annual Partnership Event on October 20 in Cheswold, presenting the 2025 Mary Custis Straughn Award to two champions of disability rights and awareness.
Alyssa Cowin of the Department of Health and Social Services and Jill Fredel, former DHSS Director of Communications, received the “Custie Award” to recognize their efforts to advance awareness, appreciation, and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The award was presented by former DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf.
“SCPD believes that every state department and affiliated organization can play a vital role in achieving meaningful progress for Delawareans with disabilities,” said SCPD Director John McNeal.
The event brought together representatives from state agencies and partner organizations that serve Delawareans with disabilities, including the Departments of Safety and Homeland Security, Education, Labor, State, Services to Children, Youth, and Families, Technology and Information, and Health and Social Services, along with specialized DHSS divisions.
Participants discussed proposed FY 2027 investments aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities, while also addressing program cuts and emerging challenges. Key concerns included proposed federal Medicaid cuts, funding rollbacks, and federal changes to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Web Accessibility Takes Center Stage
A primary focus of the meeting was agency progress toward meeting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) standards by April 2026. Inaccessible websites and mobile apps create significant barriers for people with disabilities.
For example, images without alternative text are invisible to screen readers used by individuals who are blind. Similarly, inaccessible PDF documents can prevent people from accessing vital information. These barriers can make it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to access government services—from ordering mail-in ballots to obtaining tax information—or to participate fully in civic activities such as town meetings and school programs.
Under rules promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Delaware state agencies serving populations of 50,000 or more must comply with WCAG 2.1 standards by April 24, 2026. Entities serving smaller populations or special district governments have until April 26, 2027.
PHOTO: From left, the 2025 “Custie Award” winners Alyssa Cowin and Jill Fredel were presented with the honor by former DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf (center).
Additional Photos at the Department of Safety and Homeland Security Flickr Page.
ABOUT THE STATE COUNCIL FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The State Council for Persons with Disabilities is a division of the Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security that works with other state, non-profit, for-profit, and community organizations to review federal and state policies, rules, regulations, and laws impacting Delawareans with disabilities. SCPD works to promote better coordination of state services related to persons with disabilities and accomplishes its goals through various committees and commissions.
###
CONTACT:
Director John McNeal
Office: 302-739-3620
Email: john.mcneal@delaware.gov