What’s in Bill 18-

18-501,
the Developmental Disabilities Reform Act (DDRA)?

Rights

The DDRA seeks to maintain the rights that people with

developmental disabilities have under existing law, while
updating the way the law defines and safeguards rights to
reflect modern federal laws and changes in the District’s
service system.

Under the DDRA, people with developmental disabilities are

presumed to have legal capacity and to have all the civil and
legal rights guaranteed other persons by the Constitution and
laws of the United States and the District of Columbia.

Providers Must Respect Rights

All public and private providers must respect people’s

choices, provide people with the information and
supports they need to make choices and exercise control,
communicate with people in an effective way, ensure
that people can voice grievances without fear of
retribution, seek to resolve grievances in a timely
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 manner, and provide employees with annual and initial
trainings on the rights of people with developmental
disabilities.

All public and private agencies must provide people with

information on their rights under law and available
supports and services.

Rights of People Eligible

for DDA Services,
Services, Under the DDRA

To receive supports and services in the least
restrictive, most integrated setting;

To liberty, dignity, respect, privacy;

To be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation;

To receive services promptly;

To exercise choice and control over services and
daily life;

To all information, opportunities, supports and
reasonable accommodations needed to exercise
choice and control over services;

To receive information in writing and in
accessible ways;

To access one’s own records; and

To voice complaints, concerns and suggestions

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DC Government Must Recognize and Enforce Rights

The District cannot change a person’s supports without

providing advance notice and the opportunity for the
person to oppose the change. The District must prove by
clear and convincing evidence that the change is needed
and is in the person’s best interests.

Regulations must include standards for restrictive

procedures and must prohibit harmful procedures such
as corporal punishment.

The D.C. Department on Disability Services must

identify and enforce the requirements of providers to
respect the rights of people with developmental
disabilities and to follow laws and rules regarding
restrictive and prohibited procedures.

October, 2009. For more information, visit http://dc-

ddleg.blogspot.com or contact the DDS MAC Legislative
Committee through tjsutcliffe@arcdc.net or (202) 636-2963.

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