Alabama Developmental Disabilities Network (ADDN)

Under federal law, a DD is defined as a severe, chronic mental impairment, physical impairment or a combination of both that occurs before a person reaches the age of 22; is likely to continue indefinitely; leads to substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the areas of major life activity listed below; and which reflects a need for extended or lifelong individualized supports.

• Self-care
• Receptive and expressive language
• Learning
• Mobility
• Self-direction
• Capacity for independent living
• Economic self-sufficiency

Alabama’s UCEDD is housed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The UCEDD trains clinical professionals in DD and related fields. It also provides technical assistance and community education around DD issues and provides direct evaluation and intervention services to individuals with DD through its affiliation with the Civitan-Sparks Clinics. Finally, it conducts research into DD and related conditions. Alabama’s UCEDD is supported in its work by its Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC).

Through education, advocacy, and partnerships, the ACDD works to improve DD-serving systems and services within Alabama and to ensure that the voices of people with DD and their families are reflected in state policies and programming. The majority of the members of the Council are persons with DD and family members of persons with DD. They are joined by professionals from state and local agencies who provide supports and services to people with DD.

ADAP is Alabama’s protection and advocacy (P&A) system for person with DD and other disabilities. ADAP’s provides legally based advocacy services to eligible Alabamians with disabilities to protect and promote their civil rights. ADAP’s advocacy targets are identified annually with the input of the community and are memorialized in its statement of priorities. ADAP is supported in its work on behalf of persons with DD by an advisory council, the majority of whose members are persons with DD and/or their family members.

Partners in Policymaking Alabama (PIPA or Partners) is a key collaboration of the ADDN. Partners is a yearlong leadership training program for persons with DD (self-advocates) and their family members. Partners is based on the principle that the most significant and lasting public policy decisions come from the efforts of those most affected by them. PIPA graduates are prepared to work alongside policymakers and are empowered to be catalysts for systems change. Upon completion of PIPA, participants have developed the knowledge and skills needed to be advocates for opportunities and supports that promote self-determination, independence, and integration in all aspects of community life for themselves and others – the very goals of the DD Act.

In addition to PIPA, the UCEDD, DD Council, and ADAP serve on boards, participate in panels, host training opportunities and public forums, and collaborate on projects together in order to advocate for the needs, well-being, and civil rights of people with DD.