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The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-402, 106th Congress) defines a developmental disability as
a severe, chronic disability of an individual that-
(i) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
(ii) is manifested before the individual attains age 22;
(iii) is likely to continue indefinitely;
(iv) results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity:
(I) Self-care.
(II) Receptive and expressive language.
(III) Learning.
(IV) Mobility.
(V) Self-direction.
(VI) Capacity for independent living.
(VII) Economic self-sufficiency; and
(v) reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
It looks like quite a mouthful, but it gets easier to understand. One example you may be familiar with is Autism Spectrum Disorder. Consumers with developmental disabilities are just some of the consumers that we work with throughout the State of Hawaii. Governor Ige will be declaring March “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month” during the 21st annual Day at the Capitol on March 4th. To help us prepare, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) shares more information on how you can help promote awareness in your community. Click here for more information.
Suggested Sites to Visit:
- Public Law 106-402, 106th Congress: The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000
- Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities
- State of Hawaii, Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD)
- National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
- Administration for Community Living
- Research in Developmental Disabilities (Science Journal)
