glossary

What is a Developmental Disability?

A severe, chronic disability of an individual 5 years of age or older that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments, manifested before age 22, likely to continue indefinitely, substantially limits the individual in three or more areas of major life activity (self-care; receptive and expressive language; learning; mobility; self-direction; capacity for independent living; and economic self-sufficiency); and reflects the individual's need or a combination of special or generic services, supports, or other assistance for an extended duration. When applied to infants and young children, the terms means individuals from birth to age 5, inclusive, who have conditions with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided.

AAMR	American Association on Mental Retardation
	An interdisciplinary association of professional and concerned individuals in the field of mental retardation Achievement Testing. Measures what a child has already learned in areas such as reading, spelling, math, and language.


ACY	Advocates for Children and Youth, Inc.
	A statewide, nonprofit organization that provides education and advocacy around the needs of Maryland's children and their families; identifies effective programs and services that meet these needs; advocates for funds to implement these programs and services; and provides legal representation to children who are having difficulty in school.
ACYF	Administration for Children, Youth and Families
	The federal agency that provides information and assistance to parents; administers national programs for children and youth (including Head Start); works with states and local communities to develop family support services; and seeks joint ventures with the private sector to enhance the lives of children and their families.
ADA	American with Disabilities Act
	A federal law providing comprehensive civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications.
ADD	Administration on Developmental Disabilities
	The federal agency responsible for overseeing activities under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990. Located in the Administration on Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the ADD serves as the focal point in the Department for supporting and encouraging the provision of quality services to persons with developmental disabilities.
ADL	Activities of Daily Living
	Daily tasks necessary to care for oneself, such as dressing, bathing, eating
ALU	Alternative Living Unit
	A home where three or fewer people with disabilities reside.
APSE	Association for Persons in Supported Employment
	A national membership organization that promotes the concept of paid integrated employment and full community participation for all individuals.
Arc	The Arc
	A statewide non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to the welfare of children and adults (with mental retardation), family members, educators, professionals, and the public. Its activities include program development and technical assistance; information, referral and counseling; prevention activities and systems advocacy.
ARD	Admission, Review, Dismissal
	The part of the IEP process to determine placement in the least restrictive environment and discuss any additional services, supports, and/or modifications needed for IEP implementation.
CAP	Client Assistance Program
	Provides information and intervention services to clients and applicants of DORS regarding benefits and services available under the Rehabilitation Act.
CAP	Corrective Action Plan
	The document setting out the means by which an education agency shall correct its deficiencies as determined by its monitoring agency.
CCA	Child Care Administration
	The state's lead agency for childcare located in the Maryland Department of Human Resources. The mission of the office is to ensure the protection of children in non-residential, out-of-home care. CCA licenses and regulates all family day care homes and child care centers.
CCD	Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
	A national coalition comprised of over 75 consumers, service providers, and professional organizations which advocates on behalf of persons with disabilities and their families.
CDF	Children's Defense Fund
	A national organization that educates about children's needs and encourages preventive investment in children. It works for improved public policies at the federal, state and local level on behalf of children. It also provides information and technical assistance.
CEC	Council for Exceptional Children
	A national organization which includes professionals and parents who work to improve the quality of education for exceptional children.
CSLA	Community Supported Living Arrangements
	A federal program developed through the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to live in homes of their choosing, regardless of the nature or severity of their disability, with people with whom they choose to live, and to receive services from the providers of their choice. CSLA is also established in Maryland state law.
DDA	Developmental Disabilities Administration
	The principal state agency providing funding for services to persons with developmental disabilities.
DDC	Developmental Disabilities Council
	The federally funded state organization, authorized in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990 to provide advocacy, policy analysis and planning, and to ensure comprehensive services for persons with developmental disabilities. Also has the responsibility of establishing a State plan, which must outline the major unmet needs of persons with developmental disabilities and identify services to be provided.
DEED	Department of Economic and Employment Development
	The state agency that attracts new business, encourages expansion and retention of existing facilities, and provides financial assistance and training. For persons seeking employment - job match services, training and unemployment insurance are provided.
DHHS	Department of Health and Human Services
	The Cabinet level of the Federal Executive Branch concerned with people and involved with the nation's human concerns (located in the Administration on Developmental Disabilities).
DHMH	Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
	The state agency concerned with the physical, mental and social health of Marylanders. Contains the Developmental Disabilities Administration, Mental Hygiene Administration, Local and Family Health, Medical Care Policy and Medicare Compliance agencies.
DHR	Department of Human Resources
	The state agency serving Maryland's citizens in economic and social matters. Includes the Child Care Administration, Social Services Administration, Income Maintenance Administration and Community Services Administration.
DORS	Division of Rehabilitation Services
	The state agency implementing the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Provides rehabilitation services to eligible persons with disabilities to prepare for and find work, including supported employment (located in the Maryland State Department of Education).
EDGAR	Education Department General Admissions Regulations
	(Federal education regulations)
EEEP	Extended Elementary Education Program
	A state funded, pre-kindergarten education program for four-year-old children from low-income neighborhoods. The goal of EEEP is to provide initial learning experiences, which will help children develop the basic skills necessary for successful school performance.
ESY	Extended School Year Services
GOID	Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities
	The state agency that identifies and evaluates programs and services for Maryland's citizens with disabilities (located in the Executive Department).
HCFA	Health Care Financing Administration
	The federal agency responsible for Social Security and Medicaid (located in the Department of Health and Human Services).
HUD	Housing and Urban Development
	The federal agency responsible for programs concerned with: housing and community development; fair housing opportunities and improving programs to help families become homeowners; rental subsidies for lower income families; and programs that aid neighborhood revitalization and preservation of urban centers.
IDEA	Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
	Originally P.L. 94-142 Education for all Handicapped Children Act mandating that state and local education agencies provide a free, appropriate public education and related services to all 'handicapped' children. Subsequent amendments provide for secondary education and transition services, and for funds on research, training and demonstration in transition from school to adult life. IDEA also includes Part H (Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities).
IEP	Individualized Education Program
	A written statement for a child with a disability that is developed and implemented in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
IFSP	Individualized Family Support Plan
	A written plan for providing early intervention services to a child eligible under Part H of the IDEA.
IHP	Individualized Habilitation Plan
	A written plan developed by an interdisciplinary team explaining a person's goals and services in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990.
IRWE	Impairment Related Work Expense
	(A Social Security Administration work incentive) Services or equipment needed for a person to work because of a disability, which are paid for by the worker, such as wheelchair transportation, vehicle modifications, adaptive equipment, attendant care, medications and job coaching.
ISP	Individualized Service Plan
	The document which becomes the basis for service coordination for the consumer. It is developed by an interdisciplinary team with the input and approval of the consumer, and focuses on the broad service areas needed by the consumer. It is recorded and managed by the services coordinator.
IWRP	Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program
	The primary tool used by the vocational rehabilitation counselor and the prospective supported employee to identify the goal, content, cost, duration and sponsor(s) of substantial services.
LEA	Local Education Agency
	A political subdivision of the state that is responsible for providing education to children with disabilities.
LRE	Least Restrictive Environment
	Assurance that, to the maximum extent possible, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who do not have disabilities (in accordance with IDEA), with supplementary aids and services.
MACS	Maryland Association of Community Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
	A professional association whose membership is comprised of agencies that provide community-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Maryland.
MCC	Maryland Committee for Children, Inc.
	A nonprofit organization that works to expand early educational opportunities, increase the availability of child care, help parents find child care, train child care workers, assist employers with work/family policy development, and advocate for policies that benefit children and families.
MCIE	Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, Inc.
	A nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure that all students with disabilities have maximum opportunities to be educated in their home schools, to interact with peers without disabilities, and to be provided with a meaningful individualized education and supports that lead to participation in home, school, work and everyday community life.
MCIL	Maryland Center for Independent Living
	A federal grant-funded, private non-profit agency that provides community education and outreach, advocacy and resource development, and service delivery
MDLC	Maryland Disability Law Center
	The organization designated as the State Protection and Advocacy System for protecting and advocating for the rights of children and adults with disabilities. MDLC provides legal representation to individuals who have legal problems related to their disabling condition.
MDREA	Maryland Rehabilitation and Employment Association, Inc.
	A non-profit membership association dedicated to promoting quality employment opportunities for people who have disabilities.
MHLP	Mental Health Law Project
	A national public interest group that works to assure appropriate and humane care for mentally disabled children and adults in institutions and to improve the scope and quality of services provided to mentally disabled people. It undertakes test case litigation, public policy advocacy, and educational outreach. (Now known as the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.)
MITP	Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program
	The state agency that has the overall planning and supervision responsibilities for Part H (Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities) of the 1986 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act (located in the OCYF).
MSDE	Maryland State Department of Education
	The State agency responsible for ensuring that all children with disabilities residing in the State are identified, assessed and provided with a free, appropriate public education consistent with state and federal laws.
NADDC	National Association of Developmental Disabilities Council
	A national membership organization of state Developmental Disabilities Councils.
NARIC	National Rehabilitation Information Center
	A library and information center on disability and rehabilitation (funded by NIDRR).
NICHCY	National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
	A national organization that provides information and service to help parents, educators, caregivers, and advocates to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities.
NIDRR	National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
	A federal agency that provides support for a wide variety of research and related activities that contribute to the rehabilitation, vocational success and integration of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of society: sponsors applied, non-medical, community based research for both children and adults who have emotional disorders, chronic illnesses, mental retardation and/or a range of other disabilities (located in OSERS).
OCYF	Office for Children, Youth and Families
	The state agency that examines and evaluates programs, services and plans for children, youth and families; provides public information and educational resources; develops and coordinates state policies related to children and youth; and coordinates the state's involvement in child care programs and services (located in the Executive Department).
OSERS	Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
	The federal agency responsible for special education programs and services designed to meet the needs and develop the full potential of children with disabilities. OSERS provides support for training of teachers and other professional persons, and grants for research.
Part H	Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities of the 1986 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act
P&A	Protection and Advocacy System
	An independent system to protect and advocate for the rights of persons with developmental disabilities. The P&A functions include the pursuit of legal, administrative, and other remedies, provision of information on, and referral to, programs and services, and investigations of incidents of abuse and neglect (in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990); (MDLC is the Maryland P&A).
PASS	Plan to Achieve Self-Support (a Social Security Administration work incentive)
	A way in which a person with a disability or blindness uses or sets aside income or resources to reach a work goal. For example, a person could set aside money for an education or a training program or to start a business.
RRTC	Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
	Centers that receive federal funding to conduct research and provide professional training in such diverse areas as sensory disorders, traumatic brain injury, and the rehabilitation needs of our aging disabled population (supported by NIDRR).
RSA	Rehabilitation Services Administration
	The federal agency that provides funding to state rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities to enter competitive employment.
SCC	State Coordinating Council for the Residential Placement of Handicapped Children
	The state agency that oversees the placement of children into nonpublic, residential centers (located in GOCYF).
SRC	State Residential Centers
	Public facilities for persons with mental retardation (administered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration).
SRI	Services Reform Initiative
	An activity, needs-based family preservation program for children ages 0 - 18 whose goal is to create a model service delivery system and implement that system throughout the State to return children from out of state placements and prevent their placement outside of Maryland.
SSA	Social Security Administration
	The part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers both Social Security and SSI programs.
SSDI	Social Security Disability Insurance
	An insurance program for former workers who have become disabled, and for disabled adult children of workers who are retired, disabled or deceased.
SSI	Supplemental Security Income
	A Social Security Administration program that provides monthly payments to aged, blind and disabled people with limited income and resources (assets).
TASH	The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps
	A national membership organization consisting of people with disabilities, families, professionals, and community members. TASH is dedicated to people perceived as having severe intellectual disabilities and seeks to build an inclusive society that values all people.
UAP	University Affiliated Program
	A program, operated by a public or nonprofit private entity, including parents of persons with developmental disabilities, professionals, paraprofessionals, students and volunteers, which is associated with, or is an integral part of, a college or university and which provides for interdisciplinary training, demonstration of exemplary services, technical assistance and dissemination of findings (in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990). The Kennedy Krieger Institute is the Maryland UAP.

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