DRNJ PADD Program

Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities

formerly known as New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.

Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD)

What is PADD?

The PADD program was created by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights (DD) Act of 1975. P&A's are required by the Act to pursue legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies to protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities under all applicable federal and state laws.

Administration for Children, Youth and Families, Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) in the federal Department of Health and Human Services administers the PADD program.

PADD Services

The PADD program offers the following services to people with developmental disabilities:

information and referral regarding available programs and services for people with developmental disabilities;
legal representation and non-legal advocacy to enforce rights under federal and state laws and to ensure access to services to which people with developmental disabilities are entitled;
technical assistance and advocacy services to assist individuals in accessing appropriate programs and services, and;
education and training programs on disability rights and laws.

Who is Eligible for PADD Services?

PADD clients must meet the definition of developmental disabilities in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act as a severe and chronic disability, attributing to a mental and/or physical impairment that must be evidenced prior to the age of twenty-two. The impairment must be expected to be life long and result in substantial limitations in three or more of the major life areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living and economic self-sufficiency.

The PADD program advocates for the rights of people with developmental disabilities to receive services and support that enable them to:

make informed choices and decisions;
live in homes and communities in which they can exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens;
pursue meaningful and productive lives;
contribute to their family, community, State, and Nation;
have independent friendships and relationships with others; and
achieve full integration and inclusion in society, in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of each individual.

person in w/c rising out of chair

Useful Links

New Jersey Department of Human Services
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/

New Jersey Disability Determination Services
http://www.state.nj.us/labor/dds/ddsindex.html

New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/

The Arc of New Jersey
http://www.arcnj.org

three shadowed wheelchairs in motion

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DRNJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides services to all persons with disabilities regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual or affectional orientation, ancestry or disability.
Any concerns regarding the agency’s compliance with these non-discrimination efforts may be brought to the attention of the Executive Director.