About the Developmental Disabilities Planning Partnership

Our Bylaws

Vision

Travis County will be a community where people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities and their families have a comprehensive and flexible array of choices that support their ability to live and participate in the community with all rights and opportunities afforded to all people (Community Action Network [CAN] Vision).

The Community Action Network's Vision for persons with Mental Retardation/ Developmental Disabilities (Developmental Disabilities) outlines the future direction for our community's service delivery system and focuses on the individual and their family in regards to choosing services and supports that are right for them. The vision allows them to participate more inclusively, independently, and become self-reliant in community activities.

What are Developmental Disabilities?

In Texas, mental retardation (MR) is legally defined as a condition that appears before age 18 in which intelligence is significantly below average, and personal care and social behaviors do not meet what is expected for the person's age and culture. It occurs during the developmental phase of life and is classified as one of the many developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities are severe, chronic disabilities - mental and/or physical, occurring before the age of 22. Examples include:

mental retardation	cerebral palsy
deafness	blindness
various birth defects	autism
epilepsy	mental illness