Links

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WVDDC

NADDC

American's with Disabilities Act

Centers for Disease Control

Administration for Children and Families

Developmental Disabilities Resource Center

Disability Rights Law

The American Association for People with Disabilities

About The Council

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 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 achieve independence, productivity, integration and inclusion into the community of their choice. It does this in four major ways:

• including people with developmental disabilities and their families in the development of policies and programs;

• analyzing needs and proposing changes to the human service system;

• providing training and technical assistance to build competent and inclusive communities; and

• providing grants to community organizations to demonstrate innovative services and practices.

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 with developmental disabilities. The Council is subdivided into six committees: Community Living, Education, Employment, Executive, Nominating, and System Coordination/Community Education. Each of these committees is responsible for:

• collecting and analyzing information regarding the needs of and services provided to people with developmental disabilities;

• developing policies, positions and initiatives intended to enhance the delivery of services; overseeing grant projects and sponsored programs; raising public awareness of disability issues and soliciting participation of people with developmental disabilities and their families in disability issues.