Mission
The philosophy of the DD Council is deeply based in the belief that persons with developmental disabilities have capabilities, competencies, and personal needs and preferences in common with all citizens. All individuals should be able to exercise control and choice in making decision that affect their life.
Without specialized lifelong assistance some persons with developmental disabilities and their families cannot take advantage of the opportunities available to the rest of society.
The DD Council believes that all people, regardless of the severity of their disability, must have full access to all aspects of community life.
The DD Council believes that practices which segregate and isolate people with developmental disabilities must end. Self determination, independence, productivity, and inclusion and integration into the community must be our goal.
In actualizing these values, the DD Council will, in its activities support:
- the principle of normalization;
- community-based services;
- the belief that every person has the potential for development regardless of his/her degree of impairment;
- the initiatives of individual choice and empowerment of consumers;
- the basic human and legal rights of all persons with developmental disabilities;
- public awareness and advocacy activities to ensure community acceptance of persons with developmental disabilities as contributing members of Guam; and,
- the promotion and recruitment of professionals and volunteers in the field of developmental disabilities.
