Wednesday, December 15, 2010

DDRA Public Hearing Witness List

The witness list from the December 13th public hearing on the DDRA is available here.

45+ Witnesses Testify at DDRA Hearing

The DC Council Committee on Human Services held a public hearing on the DDRA and the people first respectful language legislation this past Monday, December 13th. Over 45 witnesses testified, with the large majority expressing their support for the DDRA and urging the Council to move the bill forward.

A full video of the public hearing is available from the DC Office of Cable TV at:

http://octt.dc.gov/services/on_demand_video/channel13/December2010/12_13_10_HUMAN.asx

Thank you to everyone who took the time to testify or attend Monday's hearing. Stay tuned for more updates on next steps.

Friday, November 19, 2010

DDRA Hearing Rescheduled for 12/13, 1PM

The DC Council Committee on Human Services has issued a revised hearing notice that reschedules the public hearing on the DDRA for Monday, December 13th at 1:00 PM.

As noted in the revised hearing notice, the Committee will take comments on the introduced version of the bill.

Finally, if you were scheduled to testify on the hearing's original date of November 24th, your name will be automatically transferred to the witness list for December 13th. Please contact Ms. Vivian McCarter if you are no longer available.

What:  Public hearing on Bill 18-501, the Developmental Disabilities Reform Act, and Bill 18-502, the People First Respectful Language Modernization Act

Who:  DC Council, Committee on Human Services

Date:  Monday, December 13, 2010

Time:  1:00 PM

Location: John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 500

To testify: Contact Vivian McCarter, (202) 724-8191 or vmccarter@dccouncil.us

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

DDRA Hearing Canceled

We've just learned that the Committee on Human Services has canceled the public hearing on the DDRA, originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 24th at 10AM.

Stay tuned for more information on next steps for the legislation!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

DC Council Human Services Committee Updates Proposed DDRA Changes

The DC Council Committee on Human Services has shared a revised draft of changes to the DDRA that they are considering.

The revised draft makes one change from the version shared by the Committee on Human Services yesterday. The change is on page 21 in section 112, "Family Supports." The revised draft changes an "or" to an "and," which clarifies that the list of family supports is all-inclusive. The "or" in the draft released yesterday was a typo and not intended by the Committee.

Please note that the changes proposed by the Committee on Human Services were developed by the Committee on Human Services. We do not believe the Committee draft reflects support by community stakeholders.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

DC Council Sets DDRA Hearing & Releases Proposed Changes

The DC Council Committee on Human Services has scheduled a public hearing on the DDRA. The full hearing notice is now available. Key details are:

What: Public hearing on Bill 18-501, the Developmental Disabilities Reform Act, and Bill 18-502, the People First Respectful Language Modernization Amendment Act

Who: DC Council, Committee on Human Services

Date: Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 500

To testify: Contact Vivian McCarter, (202) 724-8191 or vmccarter@dccouncil.us

Additionally, the DC Council has shared a working draft of proposed changes to the DDRA. As stated by Committee on Human Services staff, "The blackline highlights some revisions being considered by the Committee on Human Services. The Committee invites testimony addressing the revisions under consideration."

Questions or concerns regarding the Committee on Human Services proposed changes should be directed to Committee staff China Terrell at (202) 724-8153 or cterrell@dccouncil.us.

Please note that the changes proposed by the Committee on Human Services were developed by the Committee on Human Services. We do not believe these changes reflect support by community stakeholders.

Friday, October 15, 2010

UDC Law Review Article Highlights Need for DDRA

From the summer, 2010 edition of the University of the District of Columbia Law Review, Professor Robert L. Burgdorf Jr., Esq. has published an article looking at the origins and significance of developmental disabilities laws, D.C.'s legislative and service history, and the pending DDRA.

The article, titled "Long-Overdue Reform of D.C.'s Antediluvian Developmental Disabilities Law: From Forest Haven to the 21st Century," can be purchased online from LexisNexis at http://www.lexisnexis.com or http://bit.ly/9U7IEp.