Disability Services

Page 2 of 3

• Living the Mission

  The goals of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) are to work with individuals, their families and other support groups to develop long-term strategies for people with disabilities to live full lives in their communities. To do that, DDS promotes life-long learning, using local supports and resources, employment, using technology for learning and support and developing personal responsibility and strengths.

  Agency: Department of Developmental Services

• Contact DDS

  Members of the public who want to contact DDS staff members or meet with them can use the directory to find phone numbers for the main and regional offices and directions to all the offices. 

  Agency: Department of Developmental Services

• Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Provider List

  Links to individuals and organizations that provide developmental services.

  Agency: Department of Developmental Services

• Developmental Support Services

  Support is tailored to meet the needs and desires of consumers and their families through various stages of life, from infancy to retirement age.

  Agency: Department of Developmental Services

• Developmental Services Forms

  The department provides links to numerous forms to request services and assess needs and skills.

  Agency: Department of Developmental Services

• Support and Services Topics A-Z

  Residents can access an alphabetical listing of supports and services to find the help they need.

  Agency: Department of Developmental Services

• Library Services for Persons with Disabilities

  An outline of some of the resources, programs and technology available to libraries to help people with disabilities access library collections and services.   Library Services for People with Disabilities

  Agency: Connecticut State Library

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

  Assists blind job seekers in breaking through physical, psychological, and educational barriers that are temporarily preventing them from obtaining careers that match their skills and motivation.  

  Agency: Department of Aging and Disability Services

• Services for the Blind

  People who are experiencing vision loss that makes daily activities difficult can contact the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) for services that can include counseling, explanation of legal benefits, low vision rehabilitation services and job training. The bureau also can offer on-the-job training and tax incentives to employers who hire its clients.

  Agency: Department of Aging and Disability Services

• Driver Training Program for Persons with Disabilities

  Driver training program for persons with disabilities can help any qualified permanent Connecticut resident who requires special equipment in order to operate a motor vehicle. This is the only state-operated program of this type in the U.S. There is no charge for this training.

  Agency: Department of Aging and Disability Services

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services

  Connecticut residents with significant disabilities who need help finding and keeping employment can apply for services through the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services.  

  Agency: Department of Aging and Disability Services

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

  Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services offers a counseling unit for Connecticut residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, or KODA/CODA (Hearing children or adults of Deaf parents) and their family members and also offers an interpreting unit with certified language interpreting services on a fee for service basis 24/7.

  Agency: Department of Aging and Disability Services

• Connecticut Tech Act Program

  Helps individuals with disabilities of all ages and all disabilities, as well as family members, employers, educators and other professionals have access to Assistive Technology devices and services.

  Agency: Department of Aging and Disability Services

• Independent Living Services

  The Independent Living Program provides comprehensive independent living services to persons with significant disabilities through contracts with Connecticut’s five community-based Centers for Independent Living.

  Agency: Department of Aging and Disability Services

• Council on Developmental Disabilities

  While not a direct service provider, the Council's mission is to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities into their communities through advocacy, capacity building and system change activities in school, work and community life.  

  Agency: Council on Developmental Disabilities