Developmental Disabilities

New Hampshire Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The New Hampshire Bureau of Developmental Service, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, offers adult consumers with developmental disabilities a wide range of supports and services within their own communities. All direct services and supports to individuals and families are provided by contractual agreements between the Bureau of Developmental Services and 12 non-profit designated and specialized service agencies located throughout New Hampshire commonly referred to as Area Agencies. The range of services available include: service coordination, day services, employment services, personal care services, community support services, and family support services. Crisis services, assistive technology services and specialty services are also provided.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation (NHVR) program, New Hampshire Department of Education, is a joint State/Federal program that seeks to empower people with disabilities to make informed choices, build viable careers, and live more independently in the community. People with disabilities can work and take advantage of the opportunities available to the citizens of New Hampshire. Yet they face barriers that prevent them from achieving their goals. Vocational Rehabilitation assists persons with disabilities to achieve their employment goals. To that end, New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation supports the following programs and priorities: rehabilitation services; transition; services for the blind and visually impaired, services for the deaf and hard of hearing, independent living, and disability determination services.

Sheltered Employment

The Developmental Services for Adults, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, offer employment services focusing on assistance and training provided to individuals to maintain and improve their skills in vocational activities and enhance their social, personal development and well-being within the context of vocational goals. These services develop paid employment opportunities in integrated settings which offer meaningful occasions for workers to interact with non-disabled persons (co-workers or customers).

Competitive Employment

Some individuals with disabilities are capable of employment in the workplace with some ongoing support. The New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation supported employment program will help find employment opportunities in the workplace that most closely match an individual's abilities and capabilities. These programs are designed for persons who need long-term support to hold a job in the community. Persons in supported employment are placed in competitive jobs with workers without disabilities and receive ongoing support services.

Health and Safety

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Service provides free on-site health and safety services to eligible employers. Although the Consultation Service is primarily targeted to small businesses, the program welcomes the opportunity to assist employers of any size. Whether an employer has a question about the safe use of a specific piece of equipment or would like information about establishing a workplace safety program at a work site, program staff are available to provide consultation to employers seeking such assistance.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) New Hampshire Area Offices provide safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

The Adult Protection Program, Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services, carries out the legal requirements of the Protective Services to Adults Law. The purpose of the law, which is civil and not criminal, is to provide protection for incapacitated adults who are abused, neglected, exploited, or self-neglecting. The Adult Protection Law requires any person who has a reason to believe that an incapacitated adult has been subjected to abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect to make a report to the appropriate state agency or office.

Protection and Advocacy

The Disabilities Rights Center (DRC) is New Hampshire's designated Protection and Advocacy agency and authorized by federal statute "to pursue legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies" on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The DRC is a statewide organization that is independent from state government or service providers. The DRC provides information, referral, advice, and legal representation and advocacy to individuals with disabilities on a wide range of disability-related problems. The mission of the Disabilities Rights Center is "dedicated to eliminating barriers existing in New Hampshire to the full and equal enjoyment of civil and other legal rights by people with disabilities."