Project Overview
In the District of Columbia, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities may seek services from the Department on Disability Services (DDS) and its sub-agencies the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to secure the supports and services they need to live and work in community settings. Sometimes, people are denied eligibility by those agencies or have requests for specific services denied. In those instances, they have the right to appeal the decision and receive a hearing from the District Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).
The Syracuse University Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) contracted with Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities in the District of Columbia. BBI provides legal advocacy and representation as needed for clients of Quality Trust who have been denied support and services by DDS, DDA, and RSA. This includes providing legal advice and assistance, advocating to the agencies, and representing the people in settlement conferences and before OAH. BBI is also collaborating with Quality Trust on advancing the work of the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making, a project dedicated to advancing knowledge and use of Supported Decision-Making across the U.S.
Goals and Objectives
- Provide legal advice, advocacy, and legal representation to clients of Quality Trust who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and have been denied eligibility, support, or services by DDS, DDA, or RSA.
- Collaborate with Quality Trust on strategies and efforts to enhance the work of the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making.
Contact Information
Contact: Jonathan Martinis
Email: jgmartin@syr.edu
Website: supporteddecisionmaking.org
Funding Agency
Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities.
Partners
