Area Board VI - Area VI Developmental Disabilities Board

People with developmental disabilities, family members, and friends serve as volunteer members on "area boards on developmental disabilities".

Area boards are a program of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, a federally funded state agency that has state-wide planning responsibilities to ensure that a coordinated, comprehensive system of community services and individualized supports is available for people with developmental disabilities to achieve self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.

Area boards are established under state law to:

locally assist the State Council to fulfill its federal mandates;
protect and advocate the rights of all persons in the area with developmental disabilities;
conduct capacity building activities and provide advocacy for systemic change in support of the social integration, inclusion, employment, and participation of persons with developmental disabilities in all community activities;
conduct "life quality assessments" to see that people are receiving the services they need;
assist in the establishment of self advocacy organizations led by individuals with developmental disabilities;
encourage the development of needed services and supports of good quality, and remain informed about the quality of services in the area.