|
What Are Developmental Disabilities?
Developmental disabilities are a variety of conditions that become
apparent during childhood and cause mental or physical limitation.
These conditions include autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, mental
retardation, and other neurological impairments.
People with developmental disabilities may not learn as quickly
as others or express themselves clearly. Others may have limited
ability to take care of their physical needs or limited mobility.
Many have more than one disability.
Developmental disabilities have a variety of causes, which can occur
before, during or after birth. Those occurring before birth include
genetic problems, poor prenatal care or exposure of the fetus to
toxic elements, drugs or alcohol. Occurrences during birth, such
as a cut off of oxygen to the baby, or accidents after birth, like
car accidents causing traumatic brain injury, also can cause developmental
disabilities.
It is difficult to define the limits of people with disabilities,
as we continue to discover extraordinary abilities within them.
While people who have developmental disabilities face a more challenging
future than most, they still can enjoy a full and active life. What
they need most is encouragement, understanding, and the willingness
of other to help them maximize their opportunities for becoming
part of their community.
The New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities
The New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities (OMRDD) became an independent agency when legislation
reorganizing the Department of Mental Hygiene became effective on
April 1, 1978. The state of New York and its local governments have
a responsibility for the prevention and early detection of mental
retardation and developmental disabilities and for the comprehensively
planned provision of services including care, treatment, habilitation
and rehabilitation of their citizens with mental retardation and
developmental disabilities.
OMRDD operates 13 developmental disabilities services offices (DDSOs)
responsible for providing such programs in one or more counties.
These offices seek to provide specially designed person-centered
assistance to each individual with developmental disabilities as
requested by that person or by his or her family. In partnership
with consumers, families, staff, private providers and local governments,
these offices seek to improve the quality of life of individuals
and their families through the provision of quality, cost-effective
housing, employment and family support services. In addition, the
Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities conducts
research at its Institute for Basic Research located on Staten Island.
How does one access services for someone who has mental retardation
and developmental disabilities living in Tioga County?
A Road Map to Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Tioga County guide is available by clicking here to provide information about services and how to access them.
Related Links:
NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
~ http://www.omr.state.ny.us
MRDD Plan 2007 - 2009 (draft)
 Contact
Information
Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office
249 Glenwood Road
Binghamton, NY 13905
Telephone: (607) 770-0211
Fax: (607) 770-8037
Counties Served: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga, & Tompkins
Director: Patricia McDonnell
New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Albany, New York 12229
Executive
Contacts
Telephone: (518) 473-9689
Fax: (518) 473-1271
TDD: (518) 474-3694
Back to Top
|