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The DD Act of 2000

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SUBTITLE A–GENERAL PROVISIONS

42 USC 15001 SEC. 101. FINDINGS, PURPOSES, AND POLICY.

(a) FINDINGS. -Congress finds that-

(1) disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of United States society;

(2) in 1999, there were between 3,200,000 and 4,500,000 individuals with developmental disabilities in the United States, and recent studies indicate that individuals with developmental disabilities comprise between 1.2 and 1.65 percent of the United States population;

(3) individuals whose disabilities occur during their developmental period frequently have severe disabilities that are likely to continue indefinitely;

(4) individuals with developmental disabilities often encounter discrimination in the provision of critical services, such as services in the areas of emphasis (as defined in section 102);

(5) individuals with developmental disabilities are at greater risk than the general population of abuse, neglect,

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financial and sexual exploitation, and the violation of their legal and human rights;

(6) a substantial portion of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families do not have access to appropriate support and services, including access to assistive technology, from generic and specialized service systems, and remain unserved or underserved;

(7) individuals with developmental disabilities often require lifelong community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance, that are most effective when provided in a coordinated manner;

(8) there is a need to ensure that services, supports, and other assistance are provided in a culturally competent manner, that ensures that individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds are fully included in all activities provided under this title;

(9) family members, friends, and members of the community can play an important role in enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, especially when the family members, friends, and community members are provided with the necessary community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance;

(10) current research indicates that 88 percent of individuals with developmental disabilities live with their families or in their own households;

(11) many service delivery systems and communities are not prepared to meet the impending needs of the 479,862 adults with developmental disabilities who are living at home with parents who are 60 years old or older and who serve as the primary caregivers of the adults;

(12) in almost every State, individuals with developmental disabilities are waiting for appropriate services in their communities, in the areas of emphasis;

(13) the public needs to be made more aware of the capabilities and competencies of individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly in cases in which the individuals are provided with necessary services, supports, and other assistance;

(14) as increasing numbers of individuals with developmental disabilities are living, learning, working, and participating in all aspects of community life, there is an increasing need for a well trained workforce that is able to provide the services, supports, and other forms of direct assistance required to enable the individuals to carry out those activities;

(15) there needs to be greater effort to recruit individuals from minority backgrounds into professions serving individuals with developmental disabilities and their families;

(16) the goals of the Nation properly include a goal of providing individuals with developmental disabilities with the information, skills, opportunities, and support to-

(A) make informed choices and decisions about their lives;

(B) live in homes and communities in which such individuals can exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens;

(C) pursue meaningful and productive lives;

(D) contribute to their families, communities, and States, and the Nation;

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(E) have interdependent friendships and relationships with other persons;

(F) live free of abuse, neglect, financial and sexual exploitation, and violations of their legal and human rights; and

(G) achieve full integration and inclusion in society, in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of each individual; and

(17) as the Nation, States, and communities maintain and expand community living options for individuals with developmental disabilities, there is a need to evaluate the access to those options by individuals with developmental disabilities and the effects of those options on individuals with developmental disabilities.

(b) PURPOSE. -The purpose of this title is 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, through culturally competent programs authorized under this title, including specifically-

(1) State Councils on Developmental Disabilities in each State to engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that-

(A) are consistent with the purpose described in this subsection and the policy described in subsection (c); and

(B) contribute to a coordinated, consumer- and family-centered, consumer- and family-directed, comprehensive system that includes needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families;

(2) protection and advocacy systems in each State to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities;

(3) University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service-

(A) to provide interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education of students and fellows, which may include the preparation and continuing education of leadership, direct service, clinical, or other personnel to strengthen and increase the capacity of States and communities to achieve the purpose of this title;

(B) to provide community services-

(i) that provide training and technical assistance for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, professionals, paraprofessionals, policy-makers, students, and other members of the community; and

(ii) that may provide services, supports, and assistance for the persons described in clause (i) through demonstration and model activities;

(C) to conduct research, which may include basic or applied research, evaluation, and the analysis of public policy in areas that affect or could affect, either positively

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or negatively, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families; and

(D) to disseminate information related to activities undertaken to address the purpose of this title, especially dissemination of information that demonstrates that the network authorized under this subtitle is a national and international resource that includes specific substantive areas of expertise that may be accessed and applied in diverse settings and circumstances; and

(4) funding for-

(A) national initiatives to collect necessary data on issues that are directly or indirectly relevant to the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities;

(B) technical assistance to entities who engage in or intend to engage in activities consistent with the purpose described in this subsection or the policy described in sub-section (c); and

(C) other nationally significant activities.

(c) POLICY. -It is the policy of the United States that all pro-grams, projects, and activities receiving assistance under this title shall be carried out in a manner consistent with the principles that-

(1) individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with the most severe developmental disabilities, are capable of self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, but often require the provision of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance;

(2) individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have competencies, capabilities, and personal goals that should be recognized, supported, and encouraged, and any assistance to such individuals should be provided in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of such individuals;

(3) individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are the primary decisionmakers regarding the services and supports such individuals and their families receive, including regarding choosing where the individuals live from available options, and play decisionmaking roles in policies and programs that affect the lives of such individuals and their families;

(4) services, supports, and other assistance should be pro-vided in a manner that demonstrates respect for individual dignity, personal preferences, and cultural differences;

(5) specific efforts must be made to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and their families enjoy increased and meaningful opportunities to access and use community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance available to other individuals with developmental disabilities and their families;

(6) recruitment efforts in disciplines related to developmental disabilities relating to pre-service training, community training, practice, administration, and policymaking must focus on bringing larger numbers of racial and ethnic minorities

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into the disciplines in order to provide appropriate skills, knowledge, role models, and sufficient personnel to address the growing needs of an increasingly diverse population;

(7) with education and support, communities can be accessible to and responsive to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and are enriched by full and active participation in community activities, and contributions, by individuals with developmental disabilities and their families;

(8) individuals with developmental disabilities have access to opportunities and the necessary support to be included in community life, have interdependent relationships, live in homes and communities, and make contributions to their families, communities, and States, and the Nation;

(9) efforts undertaken to maintain or expand community-based living options for individuals with disabilities should be monitored in order to determine and report to appropriate individuals and entities the extent of access by individuals with developmental disabilities to those options and the extent of compliance by entities providing those options with quality assurance standards;

(10) families of children with developmental disabilities need to have access to and use of safe and appropriate child care and before-school and after-school programs, in the most integrated settings, in order to enrich the participation of the children in community life;

(11) individuals with developmental disabilities need to have access to and use of public transportation, in order to be independent and directly contribute to and participate in all facets of community life; and

(12) individuals with developmental disabilities need to have access to and use of recreational, leisure, and social opportunities in the most integrated settings, in order to enrich their participation in community life.

42 USC 15002 SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:

(1) AMERICAN INDIAN CONSORTIUM. -The term ”American Indian Consortium” means any confederation of 2 or more recognized American Indian tribes, created through the official action of each participating tribe, that has a combined total resident population of 150,000 enrolled tribal members and a contiguous territory of Indian lands in 2 or more States.

(2) AREAS OF EMPHASIS. -The term ”areas of emphasis” means the areas related to quality assurance activities, education activities and early intervention activities, child care-related activities, health-related activities, employment-related activities, housing-related activities, transportation-related activities, recreation-related activities, and other services available or offered to individuals in a community, including formal and informal community supports, that affect their quality of life.

(3) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE. -The term ”assistive technology device” means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve

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functional capabilities of individuals with developmental disabilities.

(4) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICE. -The term ”assistive technology service” means any service that directly assists an individual with a developmental disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes-

(A) conducting an evaluation of the needs of an individual with a developmental disability, including a functional evaluation of the individual in the individual’s customary environment;

(B) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of an assistive technology device by an individual with a developmental disability;

(C) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing or replacing an assistive technology device;

(D) coordinating and using another therapy, intervention, or service with an assistive technology device, such as a therapy, intervention, or service associated with an education or rehabilitation plan or program;

(E) providing training or technical assistance for an individual with a developmental disability, or, where appropriate, a family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of an individual with a developmental disability; and

(F) providing training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of, an individual with developmental disabilities.

(5) CENTER. -The term ”Center” means a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service established under subtitle D.

(6) CHILD CARE-RELATED ACTIVITIES. -The term ”child care-related activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that result in families of children with developmental disabilities having access to and use of child care services, including before-school, after-school, and out-of-school services, in their communities.

(7) CULTURALLY COMPETENT.-The term ”culturally competent”, used with respect to services, supports, or other assistance, means services, supports, or other assistance that is conducted or provided in a manner that is responsive to the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, language, and behaviors of individuals who are receiving the services, supports, or other assistance, and in a manner that has the greatest likelihood of ensuring their maximum participation in the program involved.

(8) DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY.-

(A) IN GENERAL. -The term ”developmental disability” means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that-

(i) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;

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(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.

(B) INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. -An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described in clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (A) if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.

(9) EARLY INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES. -The term ”early intervention activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities provided to individuals described in paragraph (8)(B) and their families to enhance-

(A) the development of the individuals to maximize their potential; and

(B) the capacity of families to meet the special needs of the individuals.

(10) EDUCATION ACTIVITIES. -The term ”education activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities being able to access appropriate supports and modifications when necessary, to maximize their educational potential, to benefit from lifelong educational activities, and to be integrated and included in all facets of student life.

(11) EMPLOYMENT-RELATED ACTIVITIES. -The term ”employment- related activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities acquiring, retaining, or advancing in paid employment, including supported employment or self-employment, in integrated settings in a community.

(12) FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.-

(A) IN GENERAL. -The term ”family support services” means services, supports, and other assistance, provided to families with members who have developmental disabilities, that are designed to-

(i) strengthen the family’s role as primary caregiver;

(ii) prevent inappropriate out-of-the-home placement of the members and maintain family unity; and

(iii) reunite families with members who have been placed out of the home whenever possible.

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(B) SPECIFIC SERVICES. -Such term includes respite care, provision of rehabilitation technology and assistive technology, personal assistance services, parent training and counseling, support for families headed by aging caregivers, vehicular and home modifications, and assistance with extraordinary expenses, associated with the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.

(13) HEALTH-RELATED ACTIVITIES. -The term ”health-related activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities having access to and use of coordinated health, dental, mental health, and other human and social services, including prevention activities, in their communities.

(14) HOUSING-RELATED ACTIVITIES. -The term ”housing-related activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities having access to and use of housing and housing supports and services in their communities, including assistance related to renting, owning, or modifying an apartment or home.

(15) INCLUSION. -The term ”inclusion”, used with respect to individuals with developmental disabilities, means the acceptance and encouragement of the presence and participation of individuals with developmental disabilities, by individuals without disabilities, in social, educational, work, and community activities, that enables individuals with developmental disabilities to-

(A) have friendships and relationships with individuals and families of their own choice;

(B) live in homes close to community resources, with regular contact with individuals without disabilities in their communities;

(C) enjoy full access to and active participation in the same community activities and types of employment as individuals without disabilities; and

(D) take full advantage of their integration into the same community resources as individuals without disabilities, living, learning, working, and enjoying life in regular contact with individuals without disabilities.

(16) INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORTS. -The term ”individualized supports” means supports that-

(A) enable an individual with a developmental disability to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life;

(B) are designed to-

(i) enable such individual to control such individual’s environment, permitting the most independent life possible;

(ii) prevent placement into a more restrictive living arrangement than is necessary; and

(iii) enable such individual to live, learn, work, and enjoy life in the community; and

(C) include-
(i) early intervention services;
(ii) respite care;
(iii) personal assistance services;

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(iv) family support services;
(v) supported employment services;
(vi) support services for families headed by aging caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities; and
(vii) provision of rehabilitation technology and assistive technology, and assistive technology services.
(17) INTEGRATION. -The term ”integration”, used with respect to individuals with developmental disabilities, means exercising the equal right of individuals with developmental disabilities to access and use the same community resources as are used by and available to other individuals.

(18) NOT-FOR-PROFIT. -The term ”not-for-profit”, used with respect to an agency, institution, or organization, means an agency, institution, or organization that is owned or operated by 1 or more corporations or associations, no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

(19) PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES. -The term ”personal assistance services” means a range of services, provided by 1 or more individuals, designed to assist an individual with a disability to perform daily activities, including activities on or off a job that such individual would typically perform if such individual did not have a disability. Such services shall be designed to increase such individual’s control in life and ability to perform everyday activities, including activities on or off a job.

(20) PREVENTION ACTIVITIES. -The term ”prevention activities” means activities that address the causes of developmental disabilities and the exacerbation of functional limitation, such as activities that-

(A) eliminate or reduce the factors that cause or pre-dispose individuals to developmental disabilities or that increase the prevalence of developmental disabilities;

(B) increase the early identification of problems to eliminate circumstances that create or increase functional limitations; and

(C) mitigate against the effects of developmental disabilities throughout the lifespan of an individual.

(21) PRODUCTIVITY. -The term ”productivity” means-

(A) engagement in income-producing work that is measured by increased income, improved employment status, or job advancement; or

(B) engagement in work that contributes to a household or community.

(22) PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEM. -The term ”protection and advocacy system” means a protection and advocacy system established in accordance with section 143.

(23) QUALITY ASSURANCE ACTIVITIES. -The term ”quality assurance activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that result in improved consumer and family-centered quality assurance and that result in systems of quality assurance and consumer protection that-

(A) include monitoring of services, supports, and assistance provided to an individual with developmental disabilities that ensures that the individual-

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(i) will not experience abuse, neglect, sexual or financial exploitation, or violation of legal or human rights; and

(ii) will not be subject to the inappropriate use of restraints or seclusion;

(B) include training in leadership, self-advocacy, and self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and their guardians to ensure that those individuals-

(i) will not experience abuse, neglect, sexual or financial exploitation, or violation of legal or human rights; and

(ii) will not be subject to the inappropriate use of restraints or seclusion; or

(C) include activities related to interagency coordination and systems integration that result in improved and enhanced services, supports, and other assistance that contribute to and protect the self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, of individuals with developmental disabilities.

(24) RECREATION-RELATED ACTIVITIES. -The term ”recreation- related activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities having access to and use of recreational, leisure, and social activities, in their communities.

(25) REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY. -The term ”rehabilitation technology” means the systematic application of technologies, engineering methodologies, or scientific principles to meet the needs of, and address the barriers confronted by, individuals with developmental disabilities in areas that include education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, independent living, and recreation. Such term includes rehabilitation engineering, and the provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services.

(26) SECRETARY. -The term ”Secretary” means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(27) SELF-DETERMINATION ACTIVITIES. -The term ”self-determination activities” means activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities, with appropriate assistance, having-

(A) the ability and opportunity to communicate and make personal decisions;

(B) the ability and opportunity to communicate choices and exercise control over the type and intensity of services, supports, and other assistance the individuals receive;

(C) the authority to control resources to obtain needed services, supports, and other assistance;

(D) opportunities to participate in, and contribute to, their communities; and

(E) support, including financial support, to advocate for themselves and others, to develop leadership skills, through training in self-advocacy, to participate in coalitions, to educate policymakers, and to play a role in the development of public policies that affect individuals with developmental disabilities.

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(28) STATE. -The term ”State”, except as otherwise pro-vided, includes, in addition to each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(29) STATE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. – The term ”State Council on Developmental Disabilities” means a Council established under section 125.

(30) SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. -The term ”sup-ported employment services” means services that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to perform competitive work in integrated work settings, in the case of individuals with developmental disabilities-

(A)(i) for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred; or

(ii) for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of significant disabilities; and

(B) who, because of the nature and severity of their disabilities, need intensive supported employment services or extended services in order to perform such work.

(31) TRANSPORTATION-RELATED ACTIVITIES. -The term ”transportation-related activities” means advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities having access to and use of transportation.

(32) UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED. -The term ”unserved and underserved” includes populations such as individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, disadvantaged individuals, individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals from underserved geographic areas (rural or urban), and specific groups of individuals within the population of individuals with developmental disabilities, including individuals who require assistive technology in order to participate in and contribute to community life.

42 USC 15003 SEC. 103. RECORDS AND AUDITS.

(a) RECORDS. -Each recipient of assistance under this title shall keep such records as the Secretary shall prescribe, including-

(1) records that fully disclose-

(A) the amount and disposition by such recipient of the assistance;

(B) the total cost of the project or undertaking in connection with which such assistance is given or used; and

(C) the amount of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking that is supplied by other sources; and

(2) such other records as will facilitate an effective audit.

(b) ACCESS. -The Secretary and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipients of assistance under this title that are pertinent to such assistance.

42 USC 15004 SEC. 104. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY.

(a) PROGRAM ACCOUNTABILITY.-

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(1) IN GENERAL. -In order to monitor entities that received funds under this Act to carry out activities under subtitles B, C, and D and determine the extent to which the entities have been responsive to the purpose of this title and have taken actions consistent with the policy described in section 101(c), the Secretary shall develop and implement an accountability process as described in this subsection, with respect to activities conducted after October 1, 2001.

(2) AREAS OF EMPHASIS. -The Secretary shall develop a process for identifying and reporting (pursuant to section 105) on progress achieved through advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities, undertaken by the entities described in paragraph (1), that resulted in individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participating in the design of and having 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. Specifically, the Secretary shall develop a process for identifying and reporting on progress achieved, through advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities, by the entities in the areas of emphasis.

(3) INDICATORS OF PROGRESS.-

(A) IN GENERAL. -In identifying progress made by the entities described in paragraph (1) in the areas of emphasis, the Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities and the entities, shall develop indicators for each area of emphasis.

(B) PROPOSED INDICATORS. -Not later than 180 days Deadline after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall Federal Register, develop and publish in the Federal Register for public publication. comment proposed indicators of progress for monitoring how entities described in paragraph (1) have addressed the areas of emphasis described in paragraph (2) in a manner that is responsive to the purpose of this title and consistent with the policy described in section 101(c).

(C) FINAL INDICATORS. – Not later than October 1, 2001, Deadline the Secretary shall revise the proposed indicators of Federal Register, progress, to the extent necessary based on public comment, publication and publish final indicators of progress in the Federal Register.

(D) SPECIFIC MEASURES. -At a minimum, the indicators of progress shall be used to describe and measure-

(i) the satisfaction of individuals with developmental disabilities with the advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities provided under subtitles B, C, and D;

(ii) the extent to which the advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities provided through subtitles B, C, and D result in improvements in-

(I) the ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to make choices and exert control over the type, intensity, and timing of services, supports, and assistance that the individuals have used;

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(II) the ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to participate in the full range of community life with persons of the individuals’ choice; and

(III) the ability of individuals with develop-mental disabilities to access services, supports, and assistance in a manner that ensures that such an individual is free from abuse, neglect, sexual and financial exploitation, violation of legal and human rights, and the inappropriate use of restraints and seclusion; and

(iii) the extent to which the entities described in paragraph (1) collaborate with each other to achieve the purpose of this title and the policy described in section 101(c).

(4) TIME LINE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH INDICATORS OF PROGRESS. -The Secretary shall require entities described in paragraph (1) to meet the indicators of progress described in paragraph (3). For fiscal year 2002 and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall apply the indicators in monitoring entities described in paragraph (1), with respect to activities conducted after October 1, 2001.

Deadline (b) Time Line For Regulations.-Except as otherwise

expressly provided in this title, the Secretary, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, shall promulgate such regulations as may be required for the implementation of this title.

(c) INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE.-

(1) IN GENERAL. -The Secretary shall maintain the inter-agency committee authorized in section 108 of the Develop-mental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6007) as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, except as otherwise provided in this subsection.

(2) COMPOSITION. -The interagency committee shall be composed of representatives of-

(A) the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, the Administration on Aging, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, of the Department of Health and Human Services; and

(B) such other Federal departments and agencies as the Secretary of Health and Human Services considers to be appropriate.

(3) DUTIES. -Such interagency committee shall meet regularly to coordinate and plan activities conducted by Federal departments and agencies for individuals with developmental disabilities.

(4) MEETINGS. -Each meeting of the interagency committee (except for any meetings of any subcommittees of the com Federal Register, mittee)shall be open to the public. Notice of each meeting,

publication. and a statement of the agenda for the meeting, shall be pub-

Deadline. lished in the Federal Register not later than 14 days before

the date on which the meeting is to occur.

42 USC 15005 SEC. 105. REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY.

At least once every 2 years, the Secretary, using information submitted in the reports and information required under subtitles B, C, D, and E, shall prepare and submit to the President, Congress, and the National Council on Disability, a report that describes the goals and outcomes of programs supported under subtitles B, C, D, and E. In preparing the report, the Secretary shall provide-

(1) meaningful examples of how the councils, protection and advocacy systems, centers, and entities funded under subtitles

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B, C, D, and E, respectively-

(A) have undertaken coordinated activities with each other;

(B) have enhanced the ability of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to 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;

(C) have brought about advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities (including policy reform), and other actions on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, including individuals who are traditionally unserved or underserved, particularly individuals who are members of ethnic and racial minority groups and individuals from underserved geographic areas; and

(D) have brought about advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that affect individuals with disabilities other than individuals with developmental disabilities;

(2) information on the extent to which programs authorized under this title have addressed-

(A) protecting individuals with developmental disabilities from abuse, neglect, sexual and financial exploitation, and violations of legal and human rights, so that those individuals are at no greater risk of harm than other persons in the general population; and

(B) reports of deaths of and serious injuries to individuals with developmental disabilities; and

(3) a summary of any incidents of noncompliance of the programs authorized under this title with the provisions of this title, and corrections made or actions taken to obtain compliance.

42 USC 15006 SEC. 106. STATE CONTROL OF OPERATIONS.

Except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this title shall be construed as conferring on any Federal officer or employee the right to exercise any supervision or control over the administration, personnel, maintenance, or operation of any programs, services, and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities with respect to which any funds have been or may be expended under this title.

42 USC 15007 SEC. 107. EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

As a condition of providing assistance under this title, the Secretary shall require that each recipient of such assistance take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities on the same terms and conditions required with respect to the employment of such individuals under the provisions of title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29

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U.S.C. 791 et seq.) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), that govern employment.

42 USC 15008 SEC. 108. CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this title shall be construed to preclude an entity funded under this title from engaging in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities for individuals with developmental disabilities that may also have a positive impact on individuals with other disabilities.

42 USC 15009 SEC. 109. RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES.

(a) IN GENERAL. -Congress makes the following findings respecting the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities:

(1) Individuals with developmental disabilities have a right to appropriate treatment, services, and habilitation for such disabilities, consistent with section 101(c).

(2) The treatment, services, and habitation for an individual with developmental disabilities should be designed to maximize the potential of the individual and should be provided in the setting that is least restrictive of the individual’s personal liberty.

(3) The Federal Government and the States both have an obligation to ensure that public funds are provided only to institutional programs, residential programs, and other community programs, including educational programs in which individuals with developmental disabilities participate, that-

(A) provide treatment, services, and habilitation that are appropriate to the needs of such individuals; and

(B) meet minimum standards relating to-

(i) provision of care that is free of abuse, neglect, sexual and financial exploitation, and violations of legal and human rights and that subjects individuals with developmental disabilities to no greater risk of harm than others in the general population;

(ii) provision to such individuals of appropriate and sufficient medical and dental services;

(iii) prohibition of the use of physical restraint and seclusion for such an individual unless absolutely necessary to ensure the immediate physical safety of the individual or others, and prohibition of the use of such restraint and seclusion as a punishment or as a substitute for a habilitation program;

(iv) prohibition of the excessive use of chemical restraints on such individuals and the use of such restraints as punishment or as a substitute for a habilitation program or in quantities that interfere with services, treatment, or habilitation for such individuals; and

(v) provision for close relatives or guardians of such individuals to visit the individuals without priornotice.

(4) All programs for individuals with developmental disabilities should meet standards-

(A) that are designed to assure the most favorable possible outcome for those served; and

(B)(i) in the case of residential programs serving individuals in need of comprehensive health-related,

PUBLIC LAW 106-402-OCT. 30, 2000 114 STAT. 1693

habilitative, assistive technology or rehabilitative services, that are at least equivalent to those standards applicable to intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded, promulgated in regulations of the Secretary on June 3, 1988, as appropriate, taking into account the size of the institutions and the service delivery arrangements of the facilities of the programs;

(ii) in the case of other residential programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, that assure that-

(I) care is appropriate to the needs of the individuals being served by such programs;

(II) the individuals admitted to facilities of such programs are individuals whose needs can be met through services provided by such facilities; and

(III) the facilities of such programs provide for the humane care of the residents of the facilities, are sanitary, and protect their rights; and

(iii) in the case of nonresidential programs, that assure that the care provided by such programs is appropriate to the individuals served by the programs.

(b) CLARIFICATION. -The rights of individuals with developmental disabilities described in findings made in this section shall be considered to be in addition to any constitutional or other rights otherwise afforded to all individuals.

Federal Technology Law Passed

The following article is forwarded to you by the DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center (www.adagreatlakes.org) for your information:

WebWire

August 9, 2010

Congress Makes Captioning a Requirement for Online Video with Passing of Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act and 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009

 

New legislation increases access to Internet video content as Americans with Disabilities Act marks its 20th Anniversary

 

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) – August 9, 2010 – The U.S. Senate voted last week to pass the Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act, a bill that requires captioning of online video content, amongst other points. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar version of the bill, entitled the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, the week before.

 

July 26th of this year marked the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a trail-blazing piece of legislation that banned companies or individuals from discriminating against persons with disabilities. Now, two decades later, Congress has passed new legislation that provides accessibility in the age of the Internet.

 

Though the bill contains various points related to making Internet content accessible to all citizens, a few main points include:

• Requiring captions for television content that appears online

• Mandating mobile phone companies make Web browsers, text messaging and email on smart phones fully accessible

• Providing $10m in funding each year for assistive technology for deaf-blind individuals

PLYmedia, a leading enhanced video solutions provider based out of Palo Alto, California, has been extolling the value of online video captioning through its SubPLY product solution for the past three years and they have been offering the innovative captioning technology Congress is putting into law long before it was part of the collective conscious.
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“We congratulate the U.S. Congress in passing this landmark legislation, as well as the various grass roots organizations who helped with its passage,” said Matt Knopf, VP of Business Development at PLYmedia.

 “Not only will deaf and hard of hearing audiences have access to online television programming, but now these online video publishers will enjoy the business benefits of captioning that our customers have been enjoying for years. We can help these publishers get up and running in a matter of weeks.”

 

Online video captioning is advantageous for several reasons:

• It makes available content previously inaccessible to the 36 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans

• It benefits broadcasters who can easily translate captions into foreign languages and reach wide and varied new audiences. PLYmedia can provide subtitles for both live and on demand online video.

• It drives web traffic and increases natural search rankings for video content publishers since transcripts allow content to become discoverable
• It helps to reach even those audiences who are without disability – most online video viewing takes place at work, where people can’t or won’t use audio and would rely solely on video captioning.

• Statistics have shown that people watch online videos 38% longer when using captions, as opposed to those who didn’t, so it encourages longer viewing times.

The SubPLY technology works with online publishers’ existing video players and has partnership agreements with some of the leading online video platforms such as Brightcove, Ooyala, Kaltura, Kit Digital, Delve Networks, Livestream, thePlatform and others.

Youth and Mental Illiness and Services for Them

An online social community for teens and young adults to learn about mental health conditions, services and supports and handling the unique challenges and opportunities in transition-age years.  Begin your trek into adulthood by checking out information about employment, housing, money matters and much more.

For more information visit this link:  http://www.disability.gov/health/disabilities_&_chronic_health_conditions/mental_health_&_substance_abuse_disorders

Information for College Students with Disabilities

Report from the American Association of Community Colleges’ Project Reach: Service Inclusion for Students with Disabilities, which looks at the efforts of 14 community colleges to involve students with disabilities in community service. Community service has been shown to help community college students with disabilities, as well as Veterans, succeed academically while contributing to their communities.

For more information visit this link:  http://www.disability.gov/education/research_%26_statistics

New Grants to Help Driving,Walking and Biking Easier

Transportation Secretary LaHood Releases $3.5 Million to 13 States
Small Projects Make Big Difference in Communities Across America

WASHINGTON – Thirteen states received $3.5 million in additional federal aid this week to help pay for 16 projects that will make driving, walking and biking easier in the communities receiving the grants, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today.

The projects range from the construction of  bike and pedestrian paths in Dekalb, Ill., Lakeland, Tenn., and Bonanza, Ore., to the installation of push-button pedestrian countdown features at crosswalks in Pinellas Park, Fla., and a bicycle route system throughout West Virginia.

“These projects will make a big difference to the people who live in these communities,” said Secretary LaHood.  “Putting in a bike path, making a crosswalk safer or improving the flow of traffic improves safety and gives people options for getting where they need to go.”

Through the “Transportation, Community, and System Preservation” (TCSP) Program, local, state and Tribal governments may apply for federal assistance to support methods of increasing transportation efficiency, roadway improvements and research.

Since the program’s creation in 1998, nearly $850 million in TCSP grants have been given to improve livability, reduce environmental impacts of transportation and improve the cost-effectiveness of infrastructure investment.

The TCSP Program is managed by the Federal Highway Administration, in conjunction with the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Rail Administration, and the Research and Innovative Technology Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The grant recipients include:

STATE Grant Recipient Project Award Amount
California California Department of Transportation Bridge replacement, curve realignment and new traffic signals on Green Valley at North Shingle Road. $333,062
Florida Tampa Construction of underpass at Brorein Street to extend the Tampa Riverwalk near the Hillsborough River. $125,000
Florida Pinellas Park Installation of push-button pedestrian countdown features at crosswalks $85,000
Illinois Fairview Construction of a bike path along the north side of Fairview Drive between SR 23 and Heritage Drive, and along SR 23 from Lucerne Lane and Fairview Drive. $168,000
New York Poughkeepsie Creation of a transit-oriented development conceptual plan for the area around the Metro-North Railroad. $95,000
Oregon Bonanza Construction of sidewalk improvements, traffic calming and speed reduction. $350,000
Oregon Eugene Improvements to 12 traffic control systems on Franklin Boulevard, the key arterial corridor within the Eugene area. $40,375
Pennsylvania Elizabethtown Upgrade of traffic signals for synchronization and left turn lanes. $233,600
Rhode Island Wakefield Construction of an intermodal facility in historic downtown area. $360,000
Tennessee Lakeland Reconstruction of Huff n’ Puff Street, including the installation of bike lanes and pedestrian walkways. $300,000
Texas Dallas Creation of a “Complete Street” design manual and develop corridor-specific conceptual street designs for 15 demonstration projects. $400,000
Vermont Essex Junction and Williston Construction of a multi-use path linking pedestrian and bike paths between the two communities. $240,000
Washington Bellevue Installation of traffic adaptive control technology at key intersections. $360,000
Washington Puyallup Tribe Sidewalk replacement, ramps, landscaping and lighting to improve pedestrian safety. $269,219
West Virginia West Virginia Department of Transportation Finalize system of designated bicycle routes. $80,000
Wyoming Cheyenne Non-motorized transportation master plan for Cheyenne MPO. $50,000
TOTAL     $3,489,256

 

For more information about the TCSP program, visit http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tcsp/.

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Marca Bristo talks at Washingtons ADA Event

Remarks from Marca Bristo at the White House Celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the ADA

By Lead On: Chronicling the work of Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago

White House 20th Anniversary

ADA Anniversary Celebration

July 26, 2010

 

Remarks by Marca Bristo, President and CEO, Access Living

President, United State International Council on Disabilities

Former Chairperson, National Council on Disability   

Mr. President, Members of Congress; friends and colleagues this is a great day!

Let’s hear it – Happy Birthday ADA!

More than 20 years ago the then little known National Council on Disability — led by Sandra Parrino, Justin Dart, and Lex Frieden — launched the most comprehensive civil rights law since the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  At first it was met with hesitancy but then a rag-tag army of people who couldn’t hear, couldn’t walk, couldn’t talk, couldn’t see and couldn’t speak did what everybody said couldn’t be done. We re-educated Congress and together we passed the ADA. In  my good friend, former Congressman Tony Coelho’s words, we did this by sharing the “scar tissue” of our lives. We sent policymakers thousands of discrimination diaries – snap shots of what it was like to be a disabled person in 1989! Our rally cry was just two simple words: “Simple Justice.”  The legislative process wasn’t simple, but we forged that bipartisan alliance and made history.

I want to say thank you to our leaders.  To my heroes, all of you, people like Pat Wright, the general, Liz Savage, Judy Heuman, Ralph Neas,  Dick and Ginny Thornburg ,Bobbie Silverstein, Paul Marchard, Bob Burgdorf, Carolyn Osolinik, Michael Winter, Yoshiko Dart, John Kemp, Chai Feldblun and so many others.  And to our congressional partners who reached across the aisle — joined in common purpose — through the universality of the disability experience. Thank you so much….. Senators  Harkin, Dole, Weicker, Hatch,  Durbin, and the late Senators Kennedy and Simon and to our friends in the other house, Congressman Coehlo, Owens, Hoyer, Bartlett, Fish, and so many others. We could not have done this without all of your tireless effort.

But today we are here not only to celebrate the law and the incredible transformation of society it has set in motion. We are really here to celebrate the incredible power of the disabilities rights movement and our allies – all of you!

The changes that this law called for – lifts on buses, accessible facilities, streets and public services, accessible ATMs, telecommunications and access to workplace and many others– could not and would not have happened without us. Civil rights laws do not self-enforce. They only come to life when enlightened citizens — people who say no to the outdated policies of segregation, dependence and paternalism — seize their rights and push the envelope of reform..

Today I am reminded of those heroes of our movement who are no longer with us: Justin Dart, Ed Roberts, Frank Bowe, Elizabeth Boggs, Wade Blank, Sharon Mistler, Evan Kemp, Judi Chamberlain, Paul Hearne, Howie the Harp and so many others. And I look out in the crowd and see the next generation of leaders like Erin Mallicoat, Maryiam Cementwala  and Ari Ne’eman . And then I think of those people still locked up in institutions, people like, my fellow Illinoisans, Stanley Ligas, Ethel Williams, and Lenil Colbert. It is for all of them that we must redouble our efforts. We will not stop fighting the systemic and illegal institutionalization of people with disabilities who are today are languishing in nursing homes and other institutions. 

And I want to say a special thank you, Mr. President, to you, your administration and Attorney General Holder in particular for making Olmstead enforcement a priority of your administration.

As we look forward to the next 20 years, I know we will prevail, we will prevail  because our cause is just and right.  We will prevail because I believe in all of you! 

President Obama, members of Congress, we ask you to join us in the unfinished business of the ADA, the IDEA, the FHAA, importantly now in ratifying the CRPD, the first human rights treaty of the 21st century.

In the words of our trusted and beloved leader, Justin Dart Jr., when he led us in this great cause for justice and equality -  ADA, America wins. I have a button from the actual signing ceremony that Yoshika has given me to give to the President – and I want you to help me close our ceremony in words that I know you all know, Justin’s words,

 “Colleagues together we have overcome. Together we shall overcome.  Lead on!”