1Recognizing the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council
2and honoring the Council for working to improve the lives of
3people with developmental disabilities.

4WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council
5(Council) is a group made up of people with disabilities, family
6members, advocates and State department representatives who work
7to create favorable conditions for people with developmental
8disabilities and their families in this Commonwealth; and

9WHEREAS, The Council is charged with periodically
10establishing a five-year plan to create a better future for
11Pennsylvanians with disabilities and is currently in the
12beginning of the 2012-2016 plan; and

13WHEREAS, The Council provides funding for proposals from
14groups and organizations through a competitive bid process to
15achieve the goals in the plan; and

16WHEREAS, The Council's vision is a Commonwealth comprised of

1inclusive communities where all people with disabilities are
2valued and can thrive; and

3WHEREAS, In achieving this vision the Council engages in
4advocacy, systems change and capacity building for people with
5developmental disabilities and their families in order to:

6(1) support people with disabilities in taking control
7of their own lives;

8(2) ensure access to goods, services and support;

9(3) build inclusive communities;

10(4) pursue a cross-disability agenda; and

11(5) change negative societal attitudes toward people
12with disabilities;

13and

14WHEREAS, The Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance
15and Bill of Rights Act first passed in 1963, and the 1970
16reauthorization of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and
17Bill of Rights Act established and authorized funding for
18Developmental Disabilities Councils in each state; and

19WHEREAS, The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill
20of Rights Act continues to provide Federal money to states to
21fund not only Councils, but also University Centers for
22Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and Protection and
23Advocacy Agencies in each state; and

24WHEREAS, The Council has promoted, funded and championed many
25issues, including attendant-care programs; self-determined
26housing initiatives; family support legislation; permanency
27planning and the Statewide adoption system; shared-ride
28transportation; training in disability issues for teachers,
29physicians, dentists and other health care staff;
30entrepreneurship and other employment opportunities; independent

1citizen monitoring of the formal service system; and community
2supports for medically fragile children; therefore be it

3RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
4Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council and honor the
5Council for working to improve the lives of people with
6developmental disabilities and, in doing so, the lives of all
7Pennsylvanians.