Assoc. Developmental Disabilties

[Guest guest]

Please fill out this survey and submit. THey are trying to figure out what

services are provided locally for individuals with disabilities or their

caregivers. I thought it was the easiest one I have ever filled out because

there is NOTHING. Just a lot of people employed to take surveys and generate

reports...

Message From the Commissioner

As the new Commissioner of ADD, it is my intent to shape our direction by

relying on the voices and experiences of individuals with disabilities, their

families, their communities, the public, and of course, our DD Network partners.

In that spirit, ADD is seeking your input as we begin to consider future plans

and how ADD can best meet the diverse needs of individuals with developmental

disabilities, and their families, across the country.

ADD seeks to utilize our resources to work on the priorities of the

developmental disabilities community, and we hope to focus our energy on the

most pressing and relevant concerns affecting people with developmental

disabilities and their families. As such, we are looking for your thoughts

regarding the focus of future Projects of National Significance (PNS).

The purpose of PNS is to:

· Create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to

directly and fully contribute to, and participate in, all facets of community

life; and

· Support the development of national and state policy development, with

the support and assistance of individuals with developmental disabilities and

their families, to reinforce and promote the self-determination, independence,

productivity, inclusion, and integration of these individuals into all facets of

community life.

What we focus on next depends upon you.

Your challenges, your needs, and your experiences are essential in ensuring that

PNS funds will empower successful and forward-thinking projects that address

current issues. Ideal PNS efforts are sustainable, can be replicated, promote

systems change, and encourage collaboration. They may include, but are not

limited to, initiatives related to family support, data collection, technical

assistance, information and referral, self-advocacy support, educating

policymakers, federal interagency initiatives, support for the participation of

racial and ethnic minorities, youth transition, quality assurance, aging adults

and aging caregivers, access to generic community services, community economic

development, increased community living options, positive behavioral supports…

or, of course, other emerging needs.

With your help, we can best our resources to further ADD's mission, support

systems change, and ensure we are prioritizing based upon the needs of the

community.

In order to get your input and gain from your experiences and opinions, ADD has

posted a web-based survey here (survey will be available online from July 15th –

Sep 1st, 2010): http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/survey/survey_landed.html

Your voluntary participation will help us design projects that meet your needs

and serve your communities. Please feel free to forward this invitation to

participate to other interested stakeholders.

Thanks, please pass it on to others that might give input.

sue in Tennessee