Values and Best Practices

Guiding Our Work

The Council’s core values are outlined in the federal Developmental Disabilities Act – the law that created councils like ours in every U.S. state and territory. The DD Act says:

Individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with the most severe developmental disabilities, are capable of self-determination, independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion in all facets of community life…  

The values of the DD Act were revolutionary when the law first passed in 1970. They are still a beacon for progress today.  Our Council exists to help Tennessee’s system of supports better and better reflect those values.

We’re passionate about several “best practices” that help make our DD Act values a reality. We believe these practices can help our state be a place where all people with disabilities and their families can thrive.

Developmental Disabilities Act Principles

These are the principles that are at the heart of the Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights and Assistance Act of 2000.

  • Individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with the most severe developmental disabilities, are capable of self-determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, but often require the provision of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance;
  • Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have competencies, capabilities, and personal goals that should be recognized, supported, and encouraged, and any assistance to such individuals should be provided in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of such individuals;
  • Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are the primary decision makers regarding the services and supports such individuals and their families receive, including regarding choosing where the individuals live from available options, and play decision making roles in policies and programs that affect the lives of such individuals and their families;
  • Services, supports, and other assistance should be provided in a manner that demonstrates respect for individual dignity, personal preferences, and cultural differences;
  • Specific efforts must be made to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and their families enjoy increased and meaningful opportunities to access and use community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance available to other individuals with developmental disabilities and their families;
  • Recruitment efforts in disciplines related to developmental disabilities relating to pre-service training, community training, practice, administration, and policymaking must focus on bringing larger numbers of racial and ethnic minorities into the disciplines in order to provide appropriate skills, knowledge, role models, and sufficient personnel to address the growing needs of an increasingly diverse population;
  • With education and support, communities can be accessible to and responsive to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and are enriched by full and active participation in community activities, and contributions, by individuals with developmental disabilities and their families;
  • Individuals with developmental disabilities have access to opportunities and the necessary support to be included in community life, have interdependent relationships, live in homes and communities, and make contributions to their families, communities, and States, and the Nation;
  • Efforts undertaken to maintain or expand community-based living options for individuals with disabilities should be monitored in order to determine and report to appropriate individuals and entities the extent of access by individuals with developmental disabilities to those options and the extent of compliance by entities providing those options with quality assurance standards;
  • Families of children with developmental disabilities need to have access to and use of safe and appropriate child care and before-school and after-school programs, in the most integrated settings, in order to enrich the participation of the children in community life;
  • Individuals with developmental disabilities need to have access to and use of public transportation, in order to be independent and directly contribute to and participate in all facets of community life; and
  • Individuals with developmental disabilities need to have access to and use of recreational, leisure, and social opportunities in the most integrated settings, in order to enrich their participation in community life.

Plain language communication

What is plain language, and why does it matter?

Information can either be a barrier or a bridge.

Plain language is defined by PlainLanguage.gov as: Communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Plain language just means it’s easy for people to get the information they need.

We know information about disability issues and programs can be confusing. The Council is here to be an information bridge. We help sister state agencies share important information with you. And we help you get clear, easy-to-understand information about the issues and services that matter to you.

When policy changes happen, we’ll make sure you know what they mean for you. We help you know how to offer input to shape the policies and programs that affect your life.

We are leading the way on using plain language to make sure you get the information you need.  To learn more about plain language as a best practice, check out these resources.

Related Resources

Reaching all members of the disability community

What does reaching the disconnected have to do with the Council’s work?

Disability affects people of all backgrounds and walks of life. Councils on developmental disabilities exist to make sure the real-life perspectives of people with disabilities and their families are shaping the policies and practices that affect their lives. We are here to make sure those perspectives represent the full diversity of our disability community. In fact, the federal Developmental Disabilities Act that created councils like ours requires that our members reflect the diversity of our state.

Too often, people with disabilities who are also members of other underserved groups face extra barriers to the support and opportunities they need. They also bring unique strengths from their experiences. We are committed to connecting with people in these communities. We know that means finding new partnerships. It means taking the time to build trust. It means doing a lot of listening. It means seeking out and celebrating widely diverse stories of people with disabilities all across Tennessee.

In recent years, we have had a targeted focus on learning from and sharing information with rural communities across the state. Our "Stronger Together" publication is one example of that work.

As the Developmental Disabilities Act says, “Disability is a natural part of the human experience.” We are passionate about a future where people with disabilities from all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life can pursue their goals and dreams here in Tennessee.

Charting the LifeCourse Framework and Tools

What is the Charting the LifeCourse framework?

The "Charting the LifeCourse" Framework is a set of guiding values, principles and tools designed by people with disabilities and their families to support people to:

  • Create a vision for a good life
  • Plan and advocate for needed supports
  • Solve problems and navigate systems

From 2012-2017, the Council participated in a national learning community that developed the LifeCourse framework. Today, it continues to shape how we understand what makes a good life for people with disabilities and families, places where families can find support, and how policy needs to change to better support ALL families impacted by disability.

LifeCourse tools are free, easy to use, available to fill out online or download to print. They can help people, families and professionals supporting them have more organized conversations about the future and supports that are needed.

If you'd like to talk more with the Council about how your organization can use the LifeCourse framework and tools to guide your work, email us at tnddc@tn.gov.

Related Resources

Disability Etiquette, Awareness, and Language    

The Developmental Disabilities Act values listed above guide how the Council thinks about and talks about disability: that disability is a natural part of the human experience and people with disabilities have gifts, strengths and talents to be celebrated. People with disabilities have historically been undervalued, underestimated, and under-supported. It's our job to help raise the bar.

We know people who have not been around many people with disabilities may sometimes have questions about the "right" language to use or appropriate etiquette when interacting with people with disabilities. We've gathered some resources below that can help you learn more, but we welcome additional questions at any time at tnddc@tn.gov.

Resources related to disability, awareness, etiquette and language