Dame
Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2010
- Messages
- 3,261
Next week I will be in D.C. for a conference of Chairs and Directors of Governor's Councils on Developmental Disabilities. Looks like I may be meeting with Sen. Reid and I want to push my Veterans agenda under his (and everyone else's) nose(s).
The object is to get the Veterans, 22 and younger, who come home with disabilities (including TBI), benefits under the Developmental Disabilities Act. I can only sway what goes on in Nevada, but as this is a national conference I'd like to get everyone used to the idea that these young service members are not only eligible but SHOULD be applying for benefits and we as Disability Councils should be helping them do that.
So here's where I need your input. Has anyone ever heard of Vets trying to get benefits under this act and if so, what was the outcome? Did they have any difficulties and if so, what were they?
My particular emphasis in Nevada is employment for those qualified under the act. Can't think of a better group to help find employment if their time in the service is over. Thanks for any and all help. :)
The object is to get the Veterans, 22 and younger, who come home with disabilities (including TBI), benefits under the Developmental Disabilities Act. I can only sway what goes on in Nevada, but as this is a national conference I'd like to get everyone used to the idea that these young service members are not only eligible but SHOULD be applying for benefits and we as Disability Councils should be helping them do that.
The Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act defines a developmental disability as:
"a severe, chronic disabilty of a person which:
is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
is manifested before the person attains age twenty-two;
is likely to continue indefinitely;
results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
self-care,
receptive and expressive language (communication),
ability to learn,
mobility,
self-direction,
capacity for independent living,
economic self-sufficiency, and
reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are of lifelong, or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated."
"a severe, chronic disabilty of a person which:
is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
is manifested before the person attains age twenty-two;
is likely to continue indefinitely;
results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
self-care,
receptive and expressive language (communication),
ability to learn,
mobility,
self-direction,
capacity for independent living,
economic self-sufficiency, and
reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are of lifelong, or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated."
So here's where I need your input. Has anyone ever heard of Vets trying to get benefits under this act and if so, what was the outcome? Did they have any difficulties and if so, what were they?
My particular emphasis in Nevada is employment for those qualified under the act. Can't think of a better group to help find employment if their time in the service is over. Thanks for any and all help. :)
