Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council Position Statements

Competitive Employment

Everyone who identifies work as a goal is employable, with the right opportunities and support. Therefore, people with disabilities have the right to, and should, receive individualized supports and reasonable accommodations to help them prepare for and attain competitive employment: community-based jobs, working alongside people without disabilities, earning at least minimum wage. Click here to learn more.

Creating a Culture of Coordinated Support

Missouri state agencies serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities must collaborate and coordinate their work. If agencies work together to develop shared vision, goals, and responsibilities, they will meet their legal obligations and provide more effective, efficient, and person-centered services and supports. Click here to learn more.

Digital Divide

In Missouri, and across the United States, there is a “digital divide” between people who have access to modern technology such as computers, smartphones, and broadband internet access and those who do not.  This divide, which disproportionately affects people with disabilities, can lead to social isolation and lack of access to health care and other critical supports and services. Therefore, Missouri must make sure that, to the maximum extent possible, all citizens have access to the technology they need to take part in all facets of life. Click here to learn more.

Diversity

Missouri public and private agencies and organizations should value and reflect the rich and diverse demographics of the state and implement policies and practices that are inclusive of disability, race, ethnicity, culture, age, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. Missouri should develop and implement laws, policies, and practices that ensure equal rights to all including full and equal access to goods and services. Click here to learn more.

Inclusive Education

All students benefit from Inclusive Education: where students with disabilities are full and equal members of the general education classroom and receive the services and supports they need to access, progress, and succeed in the general curriculum. [1] Because Inclusive Education is more effective and less costly than educating students with disabilities in segregated settings [2], Missouri must fully comply with and implement federal and state laws mandating Inclusive Education. [3] Click here to learn more.

Outreach

Because tens of thousands of Missourians with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not receiving or are ineligible for services from the state Division of Developmental Disabilities, Missouri must increase its outreach and education efforts to help people with disabilities and their families learn about and access needed, appropriate, and individualized supports and services. Missouri must develop effective means of communicating with people with disabilities and their families, and educate them about state, local, and natural supports that can help them lead full, healthy, independent, and community-included lives. Click here to learn more.

Personal Safety and Well-Being

People with disabilities have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation including, but not limited to, physical, emotional, sexual, fiscal, and cyber victimization. Missouri must develop ways to prevent the abuse of people with disabilities and ensure that they can report abuse and have their reports taken seriously, treated appropriately, and investigated fully. Click here to learn more.

Self-Determination and Guardianship

Because everyone has the right to make their own choices and direct their lives to the maximum of their abilities, people should not be ordered or kept under guardianship just because they have a disability, need (or want) support, or live (or want to live) in a particular place. People should only be ordered or kept under guardianship when less-restrictive alternatives have failed to help them direct their own lives. Guardianship, when absolutely necessary, should restrict people’s rights to the minimum extent possible and empower them to make as many choices as they want and can. Click here to learn more.

Transportation

Without accessible, reliable public and private transportation, hundreds of thousands of Missourians – with and without disabilities – cannot access their communities, work, vote, socialize, shop, attend medical and other appointments, or participate in community-based activities and services. Therefore, Missouri should enact and implement legislation, policies, and practices that expand transportation options and opportunities for all. Click here to learn more.

Voting

Voting is a fundamental right and the bedrock of our democracy. Therefore, Missouri must make sure that citizens – with and without disabilities – have a full, fair, and equal opportunity to vote accessibly and privately in local, state, and national elections. Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Events

MODDC COUNCIL MEETINGS

May 16 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

MODDC COUNCIL MEETINGS

May 17 @ 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

MODDC COUNCIL MEETINGS

July 18 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

MODDC COUNCIL MEETINGS

July 19 @ 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

MODDC COUNCIL MEETINGS

September 19 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

MODDC COUNCIL MEETINGS

September 20 @ 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

MODDC COUNCIL MEETINGS

November 14 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

MODDC COUNCIL MEETINGS

November 15 @ 9:00 am - 2:30 pm