About the Council |
Disabilities Myths and Realities |
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| The WV Developmental Disabilities Council is a 32 member organization that was established by an | ||
| Executive Order of the Governor on March 6, 1972. The Council is authorized and funded by the | Myth: People with disabilities are sick or have something wrong with them and they need to be cured. Reality: Having a disability is not the same as being sick. Disabilitiesare not contagious, and people with disabilitiesdon't need to be cured. |
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| Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (P.L. 106-402). It is administratively | ||
| supported by the WV Department of Health and Human Resources. The Council's mission is to assure that | ||
| West Virginians with developmental disabilities receive the services, supports, and opportunities they need | ||
| to acieve indepencdence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community of their choice. It does | ||
| this in four major ways: | ||
| 1) including people withd developmental disabilities and their families in the development of policies and | ||
| programs. | ||
| 2) analyzing needs and proposing changes to the human service system; | ||
| 3) providing training and technical asistance to build competent and inclusive communities; | ||
4) providing grants to community organizationt to demonstrate innovative services and practices. |
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| Over 60% of the Council is comprised of citizens with developmental disabilities and family members | ||
| of people with developmental disabilities. These members are appointed by the governor and serve four | ||
| year terms. The remaining members represent State and private organizations concerned with the provision | ||
| of services to people withd developmental disabilities. The Council is subdivided into six committees: | ||
| Community Living, Education, Employment, Executive, Nominating, and System Coordination/ | ||
| CommunityEducation. Each of these committees is responsible for: | ||
| 1) Collecting and analyziing information regarding the needs of and services provided to people with | ||
| developmental disabilities; | ||
| 2) developing policies, positions, andinitiatives intended to enhance the delivery of services; overseeing | ||
| grant projects and sponsored programs; raising public awareness of disabilitey issues and soliciting | ||
| participation ofpeople with developmental disabilities and their families in disability issues. | ||
Direct 1-304-384-5353 | Toll Free 1-800-344-6679 ext. 5353 |
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