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The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities has taken 9 positions and made statements to clarify its views below.

Click to download: NJ Council On Developmental Disabilities Position Statement On Deinstitutionalization   |   Declaración de posición sobre la desinstitucionalización

Position Statement on Deinstitutionalization

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities endorses the policy that, with proper supports, individuals with developmental disabilities, may be/could be capable of self-determination, independence, productivity and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life. It is imperative that future administrations be prevented from separating out those, who by the nature of their disabilities, may never demonstrate the aforementioned capabilities, with the purpose of re-institutionalizing them. The Council supports the declaration that: (Read More)

Click to download : Position Statement On The Education Of Children With Disabilities   |    Declaración de posición sobre la educación de niños con discapacidades

NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities Position Statement on Education

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) endorses the findings of the US Congress regarding the education of children with disabilities contained in “The Developmental Disabilities Assistance & Bill of Rights Act of 2000” and the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” (IDEA):

“Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.1” (Read More)

Click to download: Position Statement on the Rights of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities   |    Declaración de posición sobre los derechos de las personas con discapacidades del desarrollo

Position Statement on the Rights of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities endorses the following statement supporting the rights of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD): Position People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities have the same basic legal, civil and human rights as other citizens.[1]

Disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to live independently, to exercise control and choice over their own lives, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through full inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of our society. (Read More)

Click to download: Position Statement on Restraints and Seclusion   |    Declaración de posición sobre restricciones y aislamiento

Position Statement on Restraints and Seclusion

The use of physical restraints, seclusion and other aversive techniques have resulted in physical injury, psychological harm, trauma and even death to children and adults with I/DD. The NJCDD believes that the use of physical, mechanical and chemical restraints is inappropriate except in situations of imminent danger of serious physical harm to the individual or others. NJCDD strongly opposes the inappropriate and/or unnecessary use of restraints and other aversive interventions. Seclusion should not be used under any circumstances.(Read More)

Position Statement on Direct Support Professional Workforce

The direct service professional (DSP) crisis is the foremost challenge to the long-term services and supports (LTSS) system that serves individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). Research demonstrating the impact of low wages, limited competency-based training opportunities and career pathways, ineffective supervision, and growth in the need for support across disability and aging sectors have predicted the crisis currently confronting New Jersey.  (Read More)

Click to download: The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities Position on Employment   |   El Consejo de Nueva Jersey sobre la Discapacidad del Desarrollo Posición sobre el empleo

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities Position on Employment

People with I/DD should have individualized supports to enable them to find and keep community jobs based on their preferences, interests, and strengths, work alongside people without disabilities, receive comparable wages, and be free from workplace discrimination.[1] (Read More)

Position Statement of the NJ Council on Developmental DisabilitiesHousing Position Statement

People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the right to a home of their choice in the community and receive necessary services and supports. Life in the community provides opportunities for dignity, freedom of choice, privacy, and a sense of belonging. With customized supports, individuals with I/DD can enjoy self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.

Adults with I/DD have a right to choose how and with whom they will live in the community. Children and youth with disabilities have the right to live and be raised with a family, with all necessary supports and services.

Housing policy and housing supports must by adequately funded so they are affordable to users, and reflect core principles of nondiscrimination, comprehensiveness, continuity, appropriateness, cultural/linguistic competence, and equity. Housing systems must offer flexibility, seamless and easy access, and be integrated with other necessary support systems.

Position Statement of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities Healthcare Access Position Statement

All people, including people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), should have timely access to high quality, comprehensive, network adequacy, geographically and physically accessible, affordable, appropriate health care that meets their individual needs, maximizes health, well-being, and function, and increases independence and community participation.

The health care system must be aligned to principles of nondiscrimination, comprehensiveness, continuity, appropriateness, cultural/linguistic competence, and equity.  Health care professionals must have training, practical experience and familiarity to provide care to people with I/DD. Both comprehensive public and private health insurance must provide for necessary health care without regard to the nature or severity of disability, pre-existing conditions, or other health status.  A great majority of individuals with I/DD rely completely on Medicaid/Medicare for their healthcare needs; these healthcare systems are critical to them.

People with I/DD may have difficulty communicating their needs and making healthcare decisions without support.  It is critical that health care providers respect and include the voices of supported decision makers, including family and provider agencies.

 

Position Statement of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities Transportation Position Statement

People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) should have access to a range of safe, accessible, reliable, and affordable public and private transportation services across their life span.

Transportation policy and systems must be adequately funded so they are affordable to users, and reflect core principles of nondiscrimination, comprehensiveness, continuity, appropriateness, cultural/linguistic competence, and equity. Service delivery systems must offer flexibility, seamless and easy access, and be integrated with other necessary support systems.

Transportation and mobility play an essential part in providing equal opportunity in the I/DD community regardless of where an individual resides. Affordable and reliable transportation makes it possible for people with disabilities to access important opportunities in education, employment, health care, housing, and community life. While filling a transportation void, transportation brokers are excessively expensive and unnecessarily erode the individual budgets that people with I/DD rely upon for other essential supports and services.  People with I/DD in New Jersey lack sufficient access to mass transit, paratransit, trains, ferries, their own vehicles, and other modes of transportation to perform everyday activities. Even where accessible public transportation exists, individuals with I/DD consider current transportation systems inadequate.