Join DDNA today

Who can join DDNA?

Membership in DDNA is open to any registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or licensed vocational nurse who holds a current license and who supports the goals and objectives of the association. DDNA also welcomes physicians, dentists, and other professionals who have an interest in the care and support of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Do you know someone who would like more information on DDNA, but who does not have easy access to the Internet? We will mail information about joining DDNA, including a registration form, in an attractive brochure. Download a PDF of the brochure.

What does DDNA membership offer?

• Promotion of your choice of specialization in I/DD nursing and recognition by your colleagues, your employer, and other professionals as a member in your national specialty association.
• A pathway to chapters and networks, locally and nationally, where you can meet with other knowledgeable, interested nurses who serve persons with I/DD.
• An annual education conference that offers top quality continuing education in I/DD nursing, and that also provides a forum to network with colleagues from a wide range of geographical and practice settings.
• A certification process that recognizes a nurse's experience in I/DD and validates his or her I/DD-specific knowledge and critical thinking ability via a certification examination. The certification process is ongoing and requires continuing work experience and education in the specialty of I/DD nursing. Certified nurses improve the quality of services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Enhancement of professional esteem as an I/DD nurse through recognition of the specialty. Joining your specialty nursing organization is the first step in becoming identified with the professional nursing community.
• Coordination of reference and resource information critical to I/DD nursing practice. Nurses organized for a common purpose effect change and enhance the level of I/DD nursing practice nationwide.

Member benefits

• Free online courses in I/DD nursing, including more than 70 hours of free CE. Included in your $80.00 membership is more than $400 worth of interactive courseware in developmental disabilities nursing. This education can be used towards your CDDN or DDC certification requirements and your state licensure CE requirements, and is available free to members only. Here is a list and descriptions of courses offered.
• Member-only access to "DDNA News Network," the association's quarterly electronic newsletter. Archived copies of the newsletter are available to all website visitors, but only members have access to current issues. The newsletter includes information on the association's activities, and news from its Board of Directors and Executive Management office. Also included in the newsletter are articles of interest to I/DD nursing professionals and links to the most current I/DD nursing information, as well as reports on the Nurse Networks and Chapters.
• Member-only access to Online Resources in I/DD Nursing, with links to 1,000+ valuable I/DD information resources, all categorized and located in one convenient place. Makes finding online information about I/DD topics quick and easy. Members are encouraged to submit useful links to DDNA.
• Online annual education conference registration -- with reduced conference registration fees for DDNA members. No forms to fill out and mail in! View information about the conference hotel and register for your discounted hotel room online. Select the break-out sessions that you want to attend online! Learn about special conference events at which you can network with other I/DD nurses from all over the United States and Canada.
• Access to current and archived issues of the peer-reviewed "International Journal of Nursing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities." Learn more about this peer-reviewed journal.
• Member-only - free advertising in our classified section.
• Information about DDNA's core of established active chapters and networks located throughout the United States. These chapters and networks provide local/regional meetings and educational programs at which members can learn and share.
• Member-only eligibility to nominate candidates and to run for an office on the DDNA Board of Directors.
• Representation in the Nursing Organization Alliance and other professional organizations.
• Membership renewal reminders by email, with the ability to renew right away online -- or at your convenience. Nothing to mail in!
• Free download of CDDN and DDC certification applications and renewal applications from the DDNA website, with automatic reminders of your renewal dates by email.
• Access to DDNA's social networking sites, which enable you to connect both socially and professionally with others who are interested in I/DD nursing.

Member categories

Regular Member - $80

Open to all nurses who are interested or engaged in I/DD nursing.

Student Member - $40

Open to all full-time undergraduate nursing students who are interested in or studying I/DD nursing. Proof of full-time student status required.

Associate Member - $100

Open to all persons who are interested in I/DD, but who are not nurses.

Retired Member - $40

Open to all nurses 65 years and older who are interested in I/DD nursing and who are no longer employed.

Corporate Member - $2000

These are special nonvoting memberships open to companies and organizations that wish to support the goals and mission of DDNA. These members receive preferential exhibit placement and special recognition at the DDNA conference. Membership is extended to a single organizational designee who receives one full registration for the DDNA conference, as well as full access to member benefits.

Charter Member - $50

Mission statement

As nurses in the specialized field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, our mission is to continually develop our expertise to assure the highest quality of life for the people we support throughout their lifespan.

The Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) exists to provide opportunities for exploration of common issues and concerns, education, and professional recognition to those nurses involved in the lives of persons with I/DD.

We seek to accomplish this mission by adhering to the following goals:

1. Promote standards for the enhancement of nursing practice in the field of I/DD;
2. Serve as a resource for new developments in I/DD nursing practice and support mutual sharing of information and views that foster growth of the profession;
3. Serve as a liaison to other professional organizations that directly or indirectly address the field of I/DD;
4. Sponsor quality educational programs oriented toward an advanced scope of practice in I/DD nursing;
5. Act as the governing body responsible for administering and managing all aspects of professional certification in I/DD nursing;
6. Promote and support I/DD nursing certification on an international level, requiring continuing education and certification renewal.

Ethical guidelines

In addition to accepting responsibility for developing expertise in I/DD nursing practice through self development and continuing education, DDNA members adhere to a set of ethical guidelines.

• Contributes significantly to the services provided to persons with I/DD, with respect for the uniqueness of the person and human dignity;
• Accepts responsibility for developing expertise in I/DD nursing practice through self development and continuing education;
• Recognizes the rights of persons with I/DD, acts as an advocate, and strives to ensure that the rights are protected;
• Promotes and maintains a safe environment that enhances the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of the person;
• Maintains confidentiality at all levels in accordance with professional standards of practice, agency guidelines and state and federal law;
• Makes contributions from the nursing perspective, while recognizing the collaborative nature and unique role of the interdisciplinary team in providing quality services for persons with I/DD;
• Commits to making contributions to the development of innovative ideas for nursing practice in the specialty of I/DD nursing;
• Serves as a resource to prepare other team members, including direct support professionals,