Frequently Asked Questionss

• What financial assistance is available through the DD Council?
• Who is a member of the DD Council?
• Follow this link to view Minutes of Council meetings.
• Why was the Council established?
• What is the Federal Definition of Developmental Disabilities?
• What is the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)?
• What role does the Administration on Developmental Disabilities have with the SD Council?
• Where can I get the Council's Five Year State Plan and Annual Reports?
  

Why was the Council established?

The first Council was established by Executive Order on December 12, 1973 in response to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). The Act requires a state council to serve as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities by carrying out priority activities.

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 also provides funding for Protection and Advocacy Systems and University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. In South Dakota, these agencies are South Dakota Advocacy Services and the USD Center for Disabilities.

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Who is a member of the DD Council?

The Council is composed of 22 members appointed for three-year terms. Each member is appointed by the Governor. The DD Act requires 60 percent of the members to be individuals with developmental disabilities or parents/ guardians of an individual with a developmental disability. The other members represent service providers, state agencies, advocacy groups, universities, public agencies and associations. To view the current Membership List, click here.

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What is the Federal Definition of Developmental Disabilities?

In P.L. 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Act, the term "developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that--

1. is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairment;
2. is manifested before the individual attains age 22;
3. is likely to continue indefinitely;
4. results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity:
1. self-care;
2. receptive and expressive language;
3. learning;
4. mobility;
5. self-direction;
6. capacity for independent living; and
7. economic self-sufficiency; and
5. reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described above in (A) through (E) if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.

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What is the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Councils (NACDD)?

NACDD is a national organization of DD Councils of which South Dakota is a member. To learn more about NACDD, click here.

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What role does the Administration on Developmental Disabilities have with the SD Council?

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is the federal agency which provides the funding to the DD Councils, Protection & Advocacy systems, and University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. Other programs administered through ADD include Projects of National Significance, Families of Children with Disabilities Support Act of 2000 and Program for Direct Support Workers Who Assist Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. To visit their web site, click here - Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

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Where can I get the Council's Five Year State Plan & Annual Reports?
The Council developed a Five-Year Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2007-2011. The Council chose to address the following areas of emphasis: Employment, Education and Early Intervention, Housing, Health, Child Care, Recreation, Quality Assurance and Formal & Informal Community Supports. To view a Part I of the Plan, click here and to view Part II of the Plan (Goals and Objectives), click here. Contact the Council Office to receive a copy of the complete state plan.

The Council's Annual Report for Federal Fiscal Year 2006 is available through the following link, click here.

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