Council Services

What is Their Purpose?
The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) states that the purpose of State Councils is to "engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that are consistent with the purpose of the DD Act and; contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family-centered, consumer and family-directed, comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive and be integrated and included in all facets of community life."

DD Councils are encouraged to promote the involvement of their members and staff, especially persons with developmental disabilities and their families. NACDD promotes, encourages, and supports persons with developmental disabilities and their family members in leadership positions within the organization.

Councils on Developmental Disabilities are located in every State and Territory. Council members are appointed by governors to represent and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Council Members serve in a volunteer capacity. More than 60% of these volunteers must be people with developmental disabilities or family members. In this way, the “customer” of the service system plays an important role in directing Councils’ activities.

The Developmental Disabilities Act charges Councils to identify the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities in their State or Territory and to develop innovative and cost-effective ways to meet these needs in a manner that upholds the human and civil value of people with developmental disabilities.

State Plans

Each Council develops a State Plan, identifying specific five year goals for their State. Councils implement their State plans by conducting activities such as: outreach, training, technical assistance, supporting and educating communities, interagency collaboration and coordination, barrier elimination, systems design and redesign, coalition development and citizen participation, informing policymakers, and demonstration of new approaches to services and supports.

Areas of Emphasis

Areas of emphasis in which Councils must work, according to the DD Act are related to activities in quality assurance, education and early intervention, child-care, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, and other services available or offered to people in a community which affect their quality of work.

Goals for Change:

Councils are given powerful direction and broad authority to set priorities in their individual states by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). Councils work toward public policies that promote several goals for people with developmental disabilities, including:

Self Determination - Activities that result in individuals with developmental disabilities having the ability and opportunity to communicate and make personal decisions, exercise control over the type and intensity of supports and services they receive, the authority to control resources, opportunities to participate in and contribute to their communities, and support to advocate for themselves and others.

Inclusion - acceptance and encouragement of the presence and participation of individuals with developmental disabilities, by individuals without disabilities, in social, educational, work, and community activities.

Integration - exercise of the equal right of individuals with developmental disabilities to access and use the same community resources as are available to and used by other individuals.