Ddra.introduced Fact Sheet - Rights Oct 09

What’s in Bill 1818-501, 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 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 without fear of reprisal.

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 [email protected] or (202) 636-2963.