Over 1 million website views since 1996 – Resources for Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
allenbill This glossary explains common terms used in the field of intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD). It is written for individuals, families, and service coordinators. Terms with special meaning in California are noted. Download here.
While regulations have certainly changed since 2000, the basic. principles of supported living have not. This is still a relevant resource for understanding supported livings services and supports. Download that guide here.
Person-centered planning in California was written in law in 1992. That was the year that the Lanterman Act was amended to require that IPPs reflect a person’s own preferences, strengths, culture, and vision for their life. To this day, individuals and families often report a difference between that promise and what happens. You can download … Read more
In March 2025, California released the Master Plan for Developmental Services: A Community-Driven Vision. It’s a big deal — the most ambitious effort in decades to rethink how the state supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Read a summary here.
If you have been referred to a regional center in California — or if you are a family member supporting someone who has — you may have heard the words “assessment” or “evaluation” and wondered – what does that actually mean? What are they looking at? And what happens with the results? You can find … Read more
Free websites about rights and support with California specific resources. Download here.
Divided into sections including Rights, Self-Determination & Quality of Life, Self-Determination, Quality of Life, The Supports Paradigm, Person Centered Planning and Inclusion, Disability Rights and Inclusion, an Families. You will find it here here.
Here’s a curated roundup of the most current articles, research, and websites on supporting people with IDD and their families.
This is a quick reference guide on using community and relationship building tools. Most of these tools have been adapted with permission from Community Connecting by HSA Press (ISBN 978 1 906514 05 1) for NorthStar Services Placerville, CA. You will find it here.
Those who support and those who develop plans with people who have disabilities should be able to answer the following 7 questions. The plans that are written with people who use disability services should contain these answers. The services and supports provided should reflect the answers to these questions.