Developmental Disabilities

District of Columbia Contacts

General Summary

The District of Columbia is one of the first two states leading the reform to move persons with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities from large institutions to community-based facilities. The Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration (MRDDA) provides services and promotes life-planning strategies. MRDDA strives to maximize the quality of life for its customers-persons with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Rehabilitation Services Administration's (RSA) primary mission is to assist disabled persons with employment and independent living in the home and community. RSA provides an array of vocational preparation services for entrance into the labor market, including counseling and guidance, assessment services, physical restoration, vocational training, job search and placement, as well as job retention services.

Sheltered Employment

The Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration strives to maximize the quality of life for its consumers. Eligible residents are taught practical living skills and are provided vocational training and regular or sheltered employment. Many individuals with disabilities need ongoing support services in order to maintain their employment. The goal of sheltered workshops is to support and assist consumers with disabilities to live and work in their communities.

Competitive Employment

The Rehabilitation Services Administration works with communities, businesses, and organizations in their efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities and afford them opportunities for integrated employment in the mainstream of society.

Health and Safety

The Office of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) provides free onsite consultation services to private-sector employers in the District of Columbia. OSH establishes and maintains a safety and health management program that ensures, to the maximum extent possible, a safe and healthful work environment for employees.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Washington, D.C. Area Office provides 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 District of Columbia department of Human Services Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of frail, elderly and disabled adults in the District of Columbia. APS also provides case management, counseling, and support services to vulnerable adults who have been abused neglected, or exploited.

Protection and Advocacy

University Legal Services is a private, non-profit organization that serves as the District of Columbia's federally mandated protection and advocacy system for the human, legal and service rights of people with disabilities. Services provided by University Legal Services under the protection and advocacy grants include information and referral; education and training; investigation of reported or suspected instances of abuse or neglect; legal counsel; technical assistance, and litigation services; and technical assistance regarding legislative and policy concerns. All services are offered free of charge to eligible individuals in accordance with the University Legal Services' available resources and policies.

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the P&A/CAP network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States. Through training and technical assistance, legal support, and legislative advocacy, the National Disability Rights Network works to create a society in which people with disabilities are afforded equality of opportunity and are able to fully participate by exercising choice and self-determination.