What’s in Bill 18-

18-501,
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 tjsutcliffe@arcdc.net or (202) 636-2963.