- There are over 50 million Americans with disabilities (about 1 in 6)

- Unemployment rate for Americans with Disabilities hovers near 70%.

- Many can and want to work.

- Many myths, misperceptions and stereotypes prevent hiring people with disabilities. 
  (Click on our page “Why Hire” for more on those so-called myths) 

- Demographic trends will continue to hurt recruiting and retention efforts.

- People with disabilities constitute our nation's largest minority group 

- It is the most inclusive and most diverse: both genders, all ages, races, religions, ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels are represented.

Frequently Asked Questions about Developmental Disability

What is a developmental disability?

Developmental disability is a term that includes disabilities that occur in the developmental years (before age 22). It may be caused by a mental or physical impairment or by a combination of both. Developmental disabilities cannot be cured—they are life-long and chronic. Developmental disabilities include, but are not limited to: mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, Down Syndrome, or Prader-Willi Syndrome. It may also include head injury if the injury occurred before age 22 or other learning disabilities that are related to brain dysfunction.

A person with a developmental disability will have substantial functional limitation in two or more of the following six areas of major life activities: self care, receptive and expressive language development and use, learning, self-direction, capacity for independent living or economic self sufficiency and mobility.

Is developmental disability another name for mental retardation?

Not everyone who has a developmental disability has mental retardation. Some people who have cerebral palsy or autism may have average or higher than average mental capabilities but have experienced severe disabilities in other major areas of life.

A person with mental retardation learns more slowly than others and may have difficulty applying learning. The degree of mental retardation a person has affects how much and how quickly he or she can learn. Most people affected by mental retardation have only mild retardation.

Mental retardation is not the same as mental illness. Mental retardation refers to a person’s capacity to think and reason; mental illness is an emotional disturbance (such as depression, anxiety disorder, etc.). Like anyone else, a person with mental retardation may experience mental illness.

What is a developmental delay?

A developmental delay is considered to be slower than normal development in a child.

In Missouri, if a child shows a 50% delay in one of the major areas of development (cognitive, physical, communication, social or emotional, or adaptive) he or she is considered to have a developmental delay that may benefit from early intervention services. A child may also be considered to have a developmental delay if he or she is diagnosed with a physical or mental condition associated with developmental disabilities or one that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay or disability.

What causes developmental disability?

Developmental disability has a variety of causes which can occur before, during or after birth. In many cases, a person may have a developmental disability that cannot be attributed to any specific cause. Genetic factors, inherited traits or environmental factors such as infections, injuries, lack of oxygen at birth, or exposure to toxic elements, drugs or alcohol may cause developmental disability. Sometimes developmental disability results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Can developmental disability be prevented or can a person with a developmental disability be cured?

Developmental disabilities resulting from environmental factors (e.g. prenatal alcohol exposure, early lead exposure) alone can be prevented. In addition, the functional impact of developmental disability may be lessoned through early intervention, education, training, therapy and adaptive measures.

What is “community living” for people with developmental disabilities?

Community-living refers to programs, services and other supports that enable children and adults with developmental disabilities to live much the same way that people without disabilities live. For children, this usually means living with their family in their own home and attending schools in their own communities. For adults, it usually means having opportunities and supports to live as independently as possible, in their own home or family home, and to participate in community activities as other people do.

What is “person-centered planning?”

Person-centered planning is a strategy or process that helps organizations design services for diverse individuals with personal needs and desires. It differs from traditional service planning because it emphasizes the rights of people with developmental disabilities to set individual goals and objectives that bring meaning to their own lives, instead of assigning standardized objectives to people based on an evaluation of deficits.

What is “people-first language?”

People-first language refers to a way of speaking about people with disabilities that emphasizes the person rather than the person’s condition or diagnoses. It is a way of speaking that recognizes the uniqueness of each person and reflects the philosophy that each person, regardless of ability, is worthy of respect.

For example, people-first language means you would refer to someone as “a person who has autism” rather than as “an autistic” or “an autistic person.” Because it is a sign of respect for and valuing of people with disabilities and their individual interests, hopes and dreams, we encourage the use of people-first language.

How can I help people who have developmental disabilities?

People who have developmental disabilities, like all people, deserve our respect and care. They have the right to live as they want to live and to take advantage of all of the opportunities of our free society. They may use support to participate fully in our community. You can help by treating people with disabilities as individuals and welcoming each person’s participation and unique contributions. By being open to and cognizant of peoples’ differences you can do much to help a person with disabilities achieve his or her personal goals.