The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is doing a survey to learn what is important for people in the developmental disabilities (DD) community living in Massachusetts. We want to hear from people with developmental disabilities, family members, professionals, and others.

We will include information from the survey in our new Five-Year State Plan. This plan will guide our future work and how we support people with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families in Massachusetts. Your voice is important!

The survey is available in both English and Spanish below.

What is the MDDC?

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is a small state agency funded by the federal government to support people with developmental disabilities and their families across Massachusetts. Specifically, MDDC empowers people with developmental disabilities (DD) to enjoy full and productive lives by promoting community inclusion and providing opportunities. To learn more about the MDDC, visit our website at mass.gov/mddc.

What are developmental disabilities?

Developmental disabilities (DD) are a category, or type, of disability. Developmental disabilities include mental and/or physical impairments that start before someone is 22 years old. These impairments cause limitations in at least three major life activities, like self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living, or financial self-sufficiency. Developmental disabilities are likely to continue affecting someone for their whole life.

Some examples of developmental disabilities are intellectual disabilities, autism, and cerebral palsy.

What does the MDDC State Plan include?

Our 5-year plan includes our goals, objectives, and planned activities for 2027 through 2031. This plan is like a contract, or promise. It tells our community what we will do to support people with DD and their families here in Massachusetts.

How do we make choices about our plan?

It is important that this plan represents the wants and needs of our community!

Last year, we did a survey called “People’s Priorities.” This helped us learn about what topics people in Massachusetts care about the most. We did focus groups with MDDC members. This helped us write options for our state plan goals. Now we want community feedback about our goals.

How can I share my ideas?

You can answer the questions in the online survey. You can also talk to someone at MDDC about your ideas. We can help read the survey questions or click on your answers. We can provide help on the phone, Zoom calls, or in person

We’re here to help!

If you have questions, or need help sharing your input:

• Contact Liz Fancher by email at Liz.Fancher@mass.gov,
• Leave a phone message for Liz Fancher at (617) 770-7676 ext. 105, or
• Email Kaitlin Stober at Kaitlin.Stober@mass.gov.

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