What is the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council?
Operating under requirements established in the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1994, also known as the DD Act, and Michigan Executive Order 1984-12, Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council is a group of 21 citizens, consumers, family members and state agency personnel appointed by governor to carry out responsibilities of the act including:
Formally plan service capacity development and perform advocacy on behalf of citizens with developmental disabilities, as defined by the act.
Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate projects awarded through the basic state grant, to develop and enhance community-based service capacity for citizens with developmental disabilities.
Certify applications for review plans of, and determine functions to be preformed by Regional Interagency Coordinating Committees.
Work in collaboration with other human service agencies to develop and coordinate policies and programs leading to greater independence, community integration and productivity for Michigan citizens with development disabilities.
What are Developmental Disabilities?
The federal DD act and Michigan Mental Health Code define developmental disability similarly. The DD Act defines it as, "A severe, chronic disability of an individual 5 years of age or older that..."
- is attributable to a metal or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
- is manifested before the individual attains age 21;
- is likely to continue indefinitely;
- results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: (i) self-care; (ii) receptive and expressive language; (iii) learning; (iv) mobility; (v) self-direction; (vi) capacity for independent living, and;(vii) economical self-sufficency;
- Reflects the individuals' need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic services, supports, and other assistance that is of lifelong or extended duration and is individual planned and coordinated, except that such a term, when applied to infants and young children means individuals from birth age to age 5, inclusive, who have substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided
The Michigan Developmental Disabilities State Plan, developed by the council as a planning requirement of the DD Act, estimates about 150,000 Michigan citizens have a developmental disability. National data indicate 33 percent of those disabilities are the outcome of physical impairments and 30 percent result from mental retardation.
Council-Sponsored public meetings held around the state in autumn 1993 indicate Michigan citizens with developmental disabilities and family members most often request community-based supports to better access independent living, employment, transportation, educations and community inclusion, respite services.