From The Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities

Message From the Commissioner

As the new Commissioner of ADD, it is my intent to shape our direction by relying on the voices and experiences of individuals with disabilities, their families, their communities, the public, and of course, our DD Network partners. In that spirit, ADD is seeking your input as we begin to consider future plans and how ADD can best meet the diverse needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, and their
families, across the country.

ADD seeks to utilize our resources to work on the priorities of the developmental disabilities community, and we hope to focus our energy on the most pressing and relevant concerns affecting people with developmental disabilities and their families.  As such, we are looking for your thoughts regarding the focus of future Projects of National Significance (PNS).

The purpose of PNS is to:

*       Create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to directly and fully contribute to, and participate in, all facets of community life; and

*       Support the development of national and state policy development, with the support and assistance of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, to reinforce and promote the self-determination, independence, productivity, inclusion, an integration of these individuals into all facets of community life.

What we focus on next depends upon you.

Your challenges, your needs, and your experiences are essential in ensuring that PNS funds will empower successful and forward-thinking projects that address current issues. Ideal PNS efforts are sustainable, can be replicated, promote systems change, and encourage collaboration. They  may include, but are not limited to, initiatives related to family support, data collection, technical assistance, information and referral, self-advocacy support, educating policymakers, federal interagency initiatives, support for the participation of racial and ethnic minorities, youth transition, quality assurance, aging adults and aging caregivers, access to generic community services, community economic development, increased community living options, positive behavioral supports... or, of course, other emerging needs.

With your help, we can best our resources to further ADD's mission, support systems change, and ensure we are prioritizing based upon the needs of the community.

In order to get your input and gain from your experiences and opinions, ADD has posted a web-based survey here (survey will be available online from July 15th - Sep 1st, 2010):
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/survey/survey_landed.html

Your voluntary participation will help us design projects that meet your needs and serve your communities. Please feel free to forward this invitation to participate to other interested stakeholders.


I look forward to working with you.

Best,

Sharon



Sharon Lewis
Commissioner, Administration on Developmental Disabilities
Administration on Children and Families
200 Independence Avenue, SW Room 405-D
Washington, DC 20201
voice (202) 690-6590
fax (202) 205-8037
website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/