The Connecticut Developmental Disabilities Network (DDN) was established to provide leadership for implementation of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance
and Bill of Rights Act.
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People with disabilities and their families are
at the heart of how we plan, complete,
and evaluate our activities.
We also rely on a broad range of professionals, organizations and agencies
to bring about community-wide change.
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The Connecticut Development Disabilities Network (DDN)
Overview
The Connecticut Developmental Disabilities Network (DDN) was established to provide leadership for the implementation of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. It is made up of the following organizations: Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities (CCD), Connecticut Office of Protection & Advocacy (P&A), University of Connecticut A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. These three organizations share the following common goal and purpose: “The protection and full integration of individuals with developmental and other disabilities in to society in a manner that is consistent with unique strengths, resources, abilities and capabilities of each individual and his or her family.
Council on Developmental Disabilities
The Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is an advocacy system for individuals and families with developmental disabilities. It aims to produce and promote a comprehensive system of community services and individualized supports that will enable individuals with developmental disabilities to:
- exercise self-determination
- be independent
- be productive
- be included in all facets of community life
At least 60 percent of the Council’s members must be persons with developmental disabilities, or parents, guardians or immediate relatives of persons with developmental disabilities. The CDD develops and annually revisits a five-year strategic state plan to address the needs of individuals and families with developmental disabilities and conducts and/or supports activities to accomplish its purposes.
Protection and Advocacy
The Office of Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P&A) is charged with protecting the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities. It has the authority to pursue legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies and to advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
P&A also provides information and referral services to individuals with disabilities and investigates allegations of abuse or neglect. The P&A has an advisory board on which a majority of the members are individuals with disabilities, or family members, guardians or advocates of such persons. It is independent of any agency that provides treatment, services or habilitation to individuals with disabilities.
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Through education, training, research, and service, The A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) works to strengthen and increase the capacity of Connecticut communities to support persons with disabilities and their families.
Since it was first established in 1985, The Center has become a University Center for Excellence, belonging to the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. It has a Consumer Advisory Committee consisting of persons with disabilities, family members of such persons, and representatives of P&A and CDD. A primary function of the Center is to educate and disseminate information on disabilities to the Connecticut General Assembly and to the Connecticut Congressional Delegation.
Major Activities
- To sponsor Legislative Forums to educate and disseminate information on disabilities to the general public, the Connecticut General Assembly and the Connecticut Congressional Delegation. Legislative Forums (link)
- To sponsor the Annual Spirit of the ADA Celebration in July.
Early Childhood initiatives at the UCEDD focus on evidenced based practices and learning outcomes. We provide training and technical assistance to early interventionists, teachers, therapists, service coordinators, policy makers and families on a variety of areas including social competence, early literacy, early childhood outcomes, service coordination practices, and evidenced based intervention practices.
School Age initiatives at the UCEDD focus on the inclusion of children with disabilities in typical school and community life. We provide training and technical assistance to families, school personnel and community members in a variety of areas including the special education process, inclusive education, adapted curriculum, assistive technology, disability awareness and person-centered planning.
Adult initiatives at the UCEDD focus on including people with disabilities in their communities. We provide training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, state agencies, service providers and other community members in a variety of areas including the hiring of personal assistants, accessible transportation, emergency preparedness and response, and health care.