Maine Developmental Disabilities Council

**Who We Are** The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is a partnership of people with disabilities, their families, and agencies which identifies barriers to community inclusion, self determination, and independence. The Council acts to effect positive change through advocacy, training, demonstration projects, and support for other inclusive and collaborative systemic change activities. **Our Mission & Purpose** The purpose of the Council, as required under the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, is to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of, and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self determination, independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion in all facets of family and community life. **Our Mission** *MDDC is committed to creating a Maine in which all people are valued and respected because we believe communities are stronger when everyone is included.* **The Scope of Our Work** The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council conducts advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activities in the following areas of emphasis: - Employment - Child Care - Recreation - Health - Housing - Transportation - Community Supports - Quality Assurance/Self-Determination - Education and Early Intervention **What We Do** - Promote activities that expand the capacity of communities to provide opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to actively participate in community life - Advocate for systemic changes that allow individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve full integration and to pursue meaningful and productive lives - Increase public awareness and work to eliminate barriers that impact independence, productivity and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities - Foster and support coalitions and other advocacy and community groups - Support close working relationships among the various public and private service providers *This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001MESCDD-02, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.*