The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Network

Developmental Disabilities Network Partners Roles

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council)

Advocacy to develop or improve legislation, regulations, policies, programs & practices
Capacity building, including funding demonstration projects and innovative projects
Activities to bring about systems change
Support self-advocacy
Leadership development

Maryland Disability Law Center (Protection & Advocacy)

Protection of legal and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities
- provide training and technical assistance
- demonstrate and model activities
Pursuit of appropriate remedies to ensure protection of, and advocacy for, people who may be eligible for services in the State with particular attention to members of ethnic and racial minority groups
-legal remedies
-administrative remedies
-other approaches
Provide information and referral to programs and services addressing the needs of people with developmental disabilities.

Pre-service preparation and continuing education of students and fellows
Provide community services that:
- provide training and technical assistance
- demonstrate and model activities
Conduct research
Disseminate information, especially about the expertise of KKI and the national UCEDD network that can be accessed and applied to diverse settings.

There are nearly four million Americans with developmental disabilities. The major goal of the programs is a partnership with state governments, local communities, and the private sector to assist people with developmental disabilities to reach maximum potential. They address all elements of the life cycle: prevention; diagnosis; early intervention; therapy; education; training; employment; and community living and leisure opportunities.

The Developmental Disabilities programs comprise three State-based programs that collaborate from different mandated activity areas. A fourth program (Projects of National Significance) addresses issues that are of concern to residents across the nation.

-excerpts from the ADD Website