Executive Summary: DD Act Reauthorization

Executive Summary
The Reauthorization of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act:
The Need for Immediate Reforms

[For complete annotated presentation, click here]

For the first time in ten years, Congress will be considering the reauthorization of programs receiving federal funding under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). 

Full Presentation: DD Act Reauthorization

The Reauthorization of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance
and
Bill of Rights Act: The Need for Immediate Reforms

DD Act Program Abuse and Human Consequences

Why Congress Should Care About the ICF/MR Program and the People It Serves
The Human Consequences of the DD Act Programs’
Ideologically-Based Attacks on ICF/MRs

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The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act)
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The DD Act authorizes three primary grant programs designed to “assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life. . . ..”

The three primary programs authorized by the DD Act are the state Developmental Disabilities Councils (DD Councils), state Protection and Advocacy (P&A) systems, and state University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

Executive Summary: Abuse of DD Act Programs' Powers & Resources

Full Report

FEDERAL OVERSIGHT OF ENTITIES FUNDED UNDER THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE & BILL OF RIGHTS (“DD ACT”)

“ABUSE OF DD ACT PROGRAMS’ POWERS & RESOURCES”

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

VOR’s DD Act Reauthorization Position.
VOR urges Congress to amend the DD Act to incorporate the changes recommended by VOR to assure that the DD Act programs are meeting the needs of people with severe and profound mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD).

VOR is a national grassroots advocacy organization speaking out for persons with MR/DD.
This Executive Summary and the related report (see, http://vor.net/DDActReport.htm) were prepared by the VOR DD Act Task Force, an ad hoc committee authorized by the VOR Board of Directors in June 2007. VOR receives no public funding.

Full Report: Abuse of DD Act Programs' Powers & Resources

The Need for Immediate Reforms   
Submitted byMary McTernan, Ph.D.PresidentVOR January 2007

Download:
Full Report: Abuse of DD Act Programs' Powers & Resources

Summary of Family Testimonials

Federally-funded attorneys’ (Protection and Advocacy/P&As’)
failure to include families and respect residential choice
FAMILY/GUARDIAN TESTIMONIALS

The following are summaries of family testimonials from 11 states. For the complete testimonial, please visit: http://www.vor.net/DDAct2007.html