The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) is the law that provides support to states to enhance the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families. This law promotes the independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion in society of people with IDD.

Psychotherapy communication. Character with autism sitting on the floor and adult person with puzzles piexes. Autistic spectrum. Boy sitting on the floor with bad mood. Vector flat illustration.
Developmental Disabilities Priorities for the 118th Congress
  • Ensure that the work of the three Title I DD Act programs (University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy Agencies, and State Councils on Developmental Disabilities) reaches and sustains the goals of self-determination, inclusion, and integration for people with IDD in community settings;
  • Protect and significantly increase funding for programs authorized under the DD Act, including:
    • State Councils on Developmental Disabilities;
    • Protection and Advocacy agencies;
    • University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities;
    • Family Support; and
    • Projects of National Significance.
  • Protect and expand the authority and funding for national membership organizations to provide training and technical assistance to their respective DD Act programs;
  • Protect and expand the authority of the Protection and Advocacy agencies to use all available remedies to monitor and investigate abuse, neglect, and deaths of people with IDD including all types of litigation, including class action litigation, on behalf of our constituents wherever they live;
  • Protect ongoing national research efforts and provide opportunities for investments in new and innovative research as needed through the Projects of National Significance, including data collection on national and state expenditures on programs for people with IDD;
  • Fund the Title II Family Support program and provide a formula grant to every state with a separate authorization and appropriations line item;
  • ​​Fund the Title III Program for Direct Support Workers to address the direct support workforce shortage and improve the recruitment, training, support, and retention of a qualified direct service professional workforce in each state;​​​
  • ​​​Ensure that measures intended to protect the safety of people with IDD do not violate due process, civil liberties, or result in profiling of people with IDD based on disability or other status;​​
  • Ensure additional federal funding for self-advocacy leadership activities directed by self-advocates with appropriate organizational and infrastructure supports; and
  • Support legislation to develop evidence-based supports and services for individuals with IDD.