State Developmental Disabilities Council Assisted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities, state councils plan and advocate for improvement in services for people with developmental disabilities. A national network of programs affiliated with universities and teaching hospitals, UAPs provide interdisciplinary training for professionals and paraprofessionals and offer programs and services for children with disabilities and their families. Individual UAPs have staff with expertise in a variety of areas and can provide information, technical assistance, and in-service training to agencies, service providers, parent groups, and others. 27.73 Protection and Advocacy Agency and Client Assistance Program Protection and Advocacy systems are responsible for pursuing legal, administrative, and other remedies to protect the rights of people who have developmentally disabilities or mental illness, regardless of their age. Protection and Advocacy agencies may provide information about health, residential, and social services in your area.
Legal assistance is also available.
The Client Assistance Program provides assistance to individuals seeking and receiving vocational rehabilitation services. These services, provided under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, include assisting in the pursuit of legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to insure the protection of the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities. You can find your state Vocational Rehabilitation agency in our state search, or in the government pages of your local phone book. If your child is still in school and you want to investigate vocational education, you may contact your state's Office of Vocational Education for Students with Disabilities. This office is within the Department of Education and can give you information on current vocational programs.