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    Maryland Department of Health
    Developmental Disabilities Administration

    DDA Services Focus Areas

    ​​​​About ​​> Focus Areas​

    The DDA focuses on six (6) areas when thinking about services. We make sure that services support: ​

    Self-Determination, and the belief that  people can: 

    • Plan their own lives 
    • Make their own decisions 
    • Plan and choose their own supports  
    • Decide how to spend the funding they have for services 
    • Take responsibility for the decisions they make ​

    Self-Advocacy, and the commitment to encourage people to: 

    • Speak up for the things that are important to them 
    • Ask for what is needed or wanted and tell others about thoughts and feelings 
    • Speak up for their rights and make choices and decisions 

    Supporting Families, and the development of services and supports that: 

    • Make the most of the strengths and abilities of families to support their family members 
    • Connect families to support each other 
    • Increase access to resources, support and services 

    Independent Living, and to make sure that people have: 

    • The choice of where and how to live 
    • Opportunities to use and learn new skills 
    • The option to live like people without disabilities 
    • Opportunities to make decisions about their life 
    • The ability to get involved in activities they choose

    Employment, and the commitment to: 

    • Be an Employment First state 
    • Use each person’s strengths, interests, and skills to support competitive integrated employment  

    Assistive Technology​, and the commitment to: 

    • Be a Technology First state
    • Provide support and assistance for people to:
      • Explore technology to help meet their needs  
      • Increase independence 
      • Become more connected to their communities​