
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) is a program authorized by federal law to help District of Columbia residents with developmental disabilities exercise their full rights as citizens.
PADD is not a state agency and is independent of all other agencies that provide developmental disabilities services.
ULS-PADD's Services
ULS-PADD advocates the rights of people with developmental disabilities regardless of age, race, sex, religion, or other factors.
ULS-PADD has the authority to seek legal, administrative, and other remedies for problems. PADD provides one or more of the following services:
- Information about basic legal and human rights
- Information and referral to appropriate services
- Representation by a professional advocate at meetings and administrative proceedings
- Training, information, and publications on the rights of persons with developmental disabilities
- Consultation and research by legal staff and advocates
- Legal representation by a staff attorney
ULS-PADD can provide information and assistance at the request of the developmentally disabled person, family member, social worker, agency representative, or any other interested person.
All inquiries and services are regarded as confidential and will not be shared outside the agency without client approval or without client approval or without legal authority.
What is a Developmental Disability?
A developmental disability is a severe, chronic condition which:
- Is caused by a mental or physical impairment or combination of impairments
- Appears before the age of 22
- Is likely to continue indefinetely
- Reflects a need for long-term, individual services
- Results in substantial functional limitation in three or more of the following areas:
- self-care
- language
- learning
- mobility
- self-direction
- capacity for independent living
- economic self-sufficiency
Limitations of Service
Advocacy services are limited to rights violations directly related to the person's disability.
Requests for assistance are assessed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with annual program priorities. Because ULS-PADD strives to provide quality representation to each client, there may be times when ULS-PADD is unable to take your case because of limited agency resources.
SATISFACTION
ULS-PADD makes every effort to provide effective rights-related advocacy for meritorious cases. However, if any individual is not satisfied with ULS-PADD's actions, he or she has the right to bring a complaint to the Executive Director of ULS. A copy of the agency's greivance policy is available. This policy tells what must be done to file a complaint.
Disability Rights DC has an internet listserve to share information about programs, events, and information related to children with disabilities and special education in the District of Columbia. If you would like to receive such information, you can subscribe by sending an email and your contact information to odc_sped_resources-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
PADD Objectives and Priorities 2022 |
STATEMENT OF PRIORITIES, OBJECTIVES, AND CASE SELECTION CRITERIA THE MISSION of Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services (DRDC) is to ensure that District of Columbia residents with disabilities have the legal rights to which they are entitled, including the right to be free from harm, the right to individual choice, and the right to full inclusion in the community. The following are the priorities and objectives for the Protection and Advocacy Program for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities (PADD): Goal: Corrective action will be taken when people with developmental disabilities are subjected to abuse and neglect in institutional settings and schools and by District-funded providers so that they are free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violations of their legal and human rights.
Goal: People with developmental disabilities will receive quality supports, consumer choice, and services in the most integrated setting from the Department on Disability Services, the Department of Health Care Finance, the Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and other appropriate District agencies and programs.
Goal: People with developmental disabilities who need decision-making support will have access to such support in the least restrictive manner and will have their right to make their own decisions and choices recognized and respected.
Goal: Children and youth with developmental disabilities will receive appropriate special education services in the least restrictive environment, and appropriate behavioral support, and appropriate secondary transition services from the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), public charter schools, or other government agencies.
Goal: Represent prospective class members in MJ v. District of Columbia to promote their rights under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Medicaid statute to intensive community-based mental health services in order that District youth with developmental disabilities and serious behavioral challenges can thrive in their community and are not institutionalized.
CASE SELECTION CRITERIA
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE While Disability Rights DC (DRDC) at University Legal Services (ULS) recognizes that every situation is important, please note that case acceptance is dependent upon available resources, including staff time. If your case is not accepted and you wish to file a grievance, please submit your grievance in writing to ULS’ Executive Director. Current clients may also submit a grievance to the Executive Director about the quality of DRDC’s representation and regarding a decision to close a case. In addition, an individual who receives mental health or other services, his/her family members or representatives may also submit a grievance regarding DRDC’s advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities and role as the DC protection and advocacy program. If requested, an individual may lodge an oral grievance with a DRDC staff member who shall put the grievance in writing and submit it to the Executive Director. The Executive Director may be reached at: Jane Brown, Executive Director
The Executive Director shall respond in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of a grievance from any client or prospective client, or community member who has an interest in the operation of the protection and advocacy program. A grievant may appeal the Executive Director’s decision to the ULS Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the written decision of the Executive Director. The decision of the ULS Board of Directors shall be final and not subject to further appeal or review. Client confidentiality shall be maintained. The Executive Director shall report grievances to the Board of Directors annually. |
Learn more about Disability Rights DC
- Programs
- Disability Rights DC - Client Assistance Program
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology
- Disability Rights DC - DC Jail and Prison Advocacy Project
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury