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Over 6 million individuals in the United States have developmental disabilities.
A developmental disability, according to the Developmental Disabilities
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, is defined as a severe, chronic disability
which:
- originated at birth or during childhood,
- is expected to continue indefinitely, and
- substantially restricts the individuals functioning in several major
life activities.
More specifically, a developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability
which:
- is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination
of mental and physical impariments;
- is manifested before the person attains age 22;
- results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of
the following aras of major life activity:
- self-care
- receptive and expressive language
- learning
- mobility
- self-direction
- capacity for independent living, and
- economic self-sufficiency;
- reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special,
interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which
are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and
coordinated;
- except that such term when applied to infants and young children means
individuals from birth to age five, inclusive, who have substantial
developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions with
a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services
are not provided.
Examples of developmental disabilities include:
- Autism
- Behavior disorders
- Brain injury
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Mental retardation
- Spina Bifida
People with developmental disabilities benefit from comprehensive long-term
services. With such services, people with disabilities are often able
to be more active, productive, and independent, which benefits their communities
as well.
What do people with disabilities want?
"We all want the same basic things out of life: a decent and comfortable
place to call 'home', something meaningful to do during the day, some
close friends with whom to share the good times and from whom we receive
support in difficult times, and the opportunity to make our own decisions
about things that will affect our personal lives. People with disabilities
want these same basic things and are increasingly speaking up for themselves
about what they want. And staff, family and State agency professionals
are beginning to really listen."
Excerpted from "Home, Sweet Home" by Susan L. Babin, IMPACT:
Feature Issue on Supported Living (1995), published by the Institute on
Community Integration.
What is the Institute on Community Integration doing?
The Institute is committed to preventing and reducing the limiting effects
of disabilities. Its mission is based on the belief that all persons with
developmental disabilites should live as valued members of our communities
while receiving the services and supports they need to fully develop their
potential.
For more information
Visit our General Information /
Disability Awareness Web Site Links.
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