Welcome from Deputy Director Laura L. Nuss
 
Welcome to the District of Columbia Developmental Disability Administration website. DDA is dedicated to working with our citizens with intellectual disabilities, families, advocates, service providers and our community to provide information and support to meet the needs of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Thank you for visiting our site and I hope you find this online information helpful.
 
About DDA
 
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is responsible for the oversight and coordination of all services and supports provided to all qualified persons with intellectual disabilities in the District of Columbia. Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving) and in adaptive behavior , which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18. To be eligible for services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration, a person must have an intellectual disability. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism and other impairments of the brain that occur during childhood. Some people with developmental disabilities also have significant medical or mental health needs. 
 
DDA provides leadership, oversight and policy direction for the District’s Developmental Disabilities Services system. DDA delivers service coordination services for all individuals in the DC Developmental Disabilities Service system, is the operating agency for the Medicaid IDD Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program, coordinates admission into the Intermediate Care Facilities for persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID) program certified by the Department of Health, and operates an on-going program of quality assurance and improvement over the District’s overall Developmental Disabilities Services system. The DDA Office of the Deputy Director is responsible for policy development and leadership in areas of best practice, budget authority, management of Evans v. Fenty program compliance, personnel and performance management, and strategic planning.  
 
DDA is comprised of three divisions:

The District of Columbia was one of the first in the nation to close its large institution, Forest Haven, and individuals with intellectual disabilities are now living full and active lives throughout the District and in neighboring communities. DDA and its providers offer training and support to help people with intellectual disabilities gain employment, start a business, volunteer, attend senior citizens programs or receive support throughout the day. Adults are supported to live full and inclusive lives throughout the community in homes and apartments, and, for families supporting a loved one at home, DDA also provides temporary relief for the family, in-home and community support, emergency response systems, and home and vehicle modification assistance.

The DDA Duty Officer Calendar can be accessed from this link DDA Duty Officer Calendar  

1125 15th Street NW,

8th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 730-1700
Toll Free: (866) 923-5644