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Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)

LIBRARY


The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-402)

There are nearly four million Americans with developmental disabilities. The Developmental Disabilities Act (DD Act) defines developmental disabilities as severe, chronic disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical impairment, which manifest before age 22 and are likely to continue indefinitely. They result in substantial limitations in three or more areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency, as well as the continuous need for individually planned and coordinated services. President Clinton signed the Developmental Disabilities Act of 2000 into law on October 30, 2000.

The new Act contains three titles.

Title I
Title I is the traditional Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act that establishes and funds the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Councils, the Protection and Advocacy Systems, the University Center for Excellence (newly called the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service), and the Projects of National Significance.
The major goal of the Title I programs funded under the DD Act is a partnership with state governments, local communities, and the private sector to assist people with developmental disabilities to reach maximum potential through increased independence, productivity, and community integration. 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 addresses issues that are of concern to residents across the nation.

Title I Programs
State Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Formula grants support Councils in capacity building and advocacy activities, to develop a consumer and family-centered comprehensive system, and a coordinated array of culturally competent services, supports, and other assistance designed to help people with developmental disabilities achieve independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion into the community. The Councils address employment issues, and may also address community living activities, child development activities, system coordination and community education activities, and other activities, including assistive technology devices and services. These state grants are allotted on the basis of population, financial need, and need for service. Fifty-five states and territories receive Council grants.

The Arizona Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is funded under the DD Act.

State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
State Protection and Advocacy Agencies provides for the protection and advocacy of legal and human rights through formula grants to States. The P&A systems advocate on behalf of, and provide advocacy services to, persons with developmental disabilities in areas related to their disabilities, including: education, abuse and neglect, institutional and habilitation services, guardianship and housing issues. These systems have provided individual advocacy to about 40,000 clients per year, pursued class-action advocacy on behalf of hundreds of thousands per year, and also provided training and information and referral services to additional thousands. These State grants are allotted on the basis of population, financial need, and need for service. Fifty-six States and territories receive P&A grants.

The Arizona Center for Disability Law is the designated P&A for Arizona and it provides legal representation for persons with disabilities who need assistive technology devices and services.

National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Services
National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Services is a discretionary grant program for public and private, non-profit agencies affiliated with a university. Annual grants provide for interdisciplinary training, exemplary services, technical assistance, and information/dissemination activities. The program is designed to garner additional assistance for a national network of University Centers for Excellence. University Centers for Excellence support activities, which address individual needs from birth to old age, a variety of service issues from prevention to early intervention to supported employment, and a broad range of disabilities.
The University Centers for Excellence now consists of 61 programs, which have provided clinical and community-based service and technical assistance to community services personnel. In addition, 60 University Centers for Excellence receive supplemental training grants for early intervention, community-based programs, and other activities.

The Institute for Human Development, located at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, is Arizona's University Affiliated Program

Projects of National Significance (PNS)

PNS funds are awarded to public or private, non-profit institutions to enhance the independence, productivity, integration and inclusion into the community of people with developmental disabilities. Monies also support the development of national and state policy.
These projects focus on the most pressing issues affecting people with developmental disabilities and their families. Issues transcend the borders of states and territories, but must be addressed in a manner, which allows for local implementation of practical solutions. Examples include:

  • Family support activities;
  • Data collection and analysis;
  • Technical assistance to program components;
  • Projects that enhance participation of people with developmental disabilities from minority and ethnic groups;
  • Projects that explore the transition of youth with developmental disabilities from school to work;
  • Projects that develop strategies for self-advocacy and leadership skills among people with developmental disabilities and their families;
  • Projects which address involvement of people with developmental disabilities in the criminal justice system.

In addition, PNS funds may be awarded for technical assistance and demonstration projects that expand or improve the advocacy functions of the Councils and the functions performed by University Centers for Excellence and the P&A System.

Title II and Title III

Titles II and III programs
Title II and Title III are new to the Act. Title II is the Family Support Act, which applies to provision of family support for all families with a family member with a disability and is designed to give states great flexibility in designing a family support system. Title III is a new program for Support for Direct Care Workers that was designed to provide assistance to workers who assist individuals with disabilities.
The new Act is based on the following themes, which need to be addressed:
Greater control and choice and full participation in communities by individuals with disabilities:

  • Protection from abuse and neglect
  • Services and supports for aging parents
  • Addressing waiting lists for services
  • Public awareness
  • Understanding that individuals with DD are put at no greater risk of harm than others in the general population
  • Strengthened accountability of the programs to promote self-determination and self-advocacy on the part of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

For more information on The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, please contact:

The implementation dates and locations for this demonstration will be announced.

  • Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
    • 1717 West Jefferson (074-Z)
      Voice:     (602) 542-4049
      TTY:       (602) 542-8920
      Fax:       (602) 542-5320
      Toll-Free: (800) 889-5893
  • Arizona Center for Disability Law
    • 3839 N. Third St., Suite 209
      Phoenix, AZ 85012
      Voice/TTY: (602) 274-6287
      Fax:          (602) 274-6779
      Toll-Free
      Voice/TTY: (800) 927-2260
  • Institute for Human Development
    University Center for Excellence
    Northern Arizona University
    • Box 5630
      Flagstaff AZ 86011
      Voice: (928) 523-4791
      TDD:   (602) 266-5976 ext. 4125
      Fax:    (928) 523-9127
      Toll Free: (800) 553-0714
  • Edward L. Myers III
    AzTAP Policy and Funding Coordinator
    Arizona Technology Access Program
    Institute for Human Development
    Northern Arizona University
    • 2400 N. Central Avenue, Suite 300
      Phoenix, AZ 85004
      Email: Edward.Myers@nau.edu
      Voice: (602) 776-4699
      TTY:   (602) 728-9536
      Fax:   (602) 728-9535
      Toll-Free: (800) 477-9921
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