COMMUNITY FORUM:

Developmental Disabilities Reform Act, Draft 2

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Meeting Highlights

On Saturday September 26, 2009 the Department on

Disability Services, Management Advisory Committee
hosted a Community Forum for community members to
learn more about Draft 2 of the Developmental Disabilities
Reform Act (DDRA), to discuss their ideas and concerns,
and to learn how to get involved in efforts to revise and
prepare the draft bill for introduction at the DC Council. The
forum was held at the Quality Trust Family Empowerment
Center / National Children’s Center at 3400 Martin Luther
King, Jr. Avenue, SE and was combined with a regular
Family Empowerment Center “Parent to Parent Connection”
family support meeting.

Approximately 20 people attended. The majority were

family members of children, youth and adults with
intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This document captures highlights of the meeting and

discussion.

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For more information about Draft 2 of the Developmental
Disabilities Reform Act (DDRA), visit http://www.dc-
ddleg.blogspot.com. Anyone who is interested is also
welcome to join the DDRA Distribution List to get updates
by email or mail; contact T.J. Sutcliffe at
tjsutcliffe@arcdc.net or (202) 636-2963 to sign up.

Meeting Highlights

Members of the DDS MAC Legislative Committee

provided a short overview of the purpose of the draft
DDRA and the process to date.

The group discussed sections of the draft bill related to:

o Family supports and the Family Support Council;

o Access to the Superior Court; and
o Transition from current commitment system.

Questions and comments included:

o How will the new bill address medical second

opinions and denials of service?

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o How will the new bill address transition from school
to adult life?
o How will the new bill ensure that staff are qualified
and adequately trained?
o How will the new bill support families to network
and support one another?
o How will people who are immigrants access services
under the new bill?