Receptive and expressive language
How a person understands communication and communicates with other people. DDD may look at whether the person needs another person, AAC, or another device to communicate effectively.
Arizona Developmental Disability Resources
Start with what you need: eligibility, services, caregiving, rights, a next step, or information connected to cerebral palsy. These resources are available whether or not someone becomes a Weyr & Roots client.
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DDD supports eligible Arizonans with autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and some children under age six who are at risk of a developmental disability. Eligibility doesn't automatically guarantee every service. Services are based on assessed need, program requirements, the individual plan, and available funding.
Understanding DDD Eligibility
For applicants age 6 and older, Arizona DDD begins with one of five qualifying developmental disabilities:
Having one of these diagnoses doesn't automatically make someone eligible. DDD also considers whether the disability significantly affects everyday functioning. The developmental disability must have developed or become evident before age 18 and be likely to continue. The formal diagnosis itself doesn't have to have been made before age 18.
For applicants age 6 and older, significant limitations generally must be present in at least three of these seven areas. Age is considered when DDD evaluates the amount of support a person needs.
How a person understands communication and communicates with other people. DDD may look at whether the person needs another person, AAC, or another device to communicate effectively.
How a person participates in learning that is appropriate for their age. DDD may look at how much assistance the person needs to understand, practice, remember, or use new information.
How a person makes decisions that affect well-being, recognizes safety concerns, and manages personal finances. DDD may look at the supervision, prompting, or decision-making support the person needs.
How a person manages bathing, toileting, tooth brushing, dressing, grooming, and other personal care. DDD may also consider whether these tasks take so long that they interfere with school, work, or daily life.
How a person moves through everyday environments and uses fine and gross motor skills. DDD may consider hands-on help, a wheelchair, walker, or other device, and whether the time or effort required limits daily activities.
How safely and independently a person manages daily life. This may include supervision for health and safety, household tasks, simple meals, appliances, transportation, and shopping.
How the disability affects the person's ability to perform work tasks, obtain or keep employment, and earn enough to meet basic needs.
DDD Paid Caregiving & Respite
Sometimes. A family member may be able to become a paid provider for certain authorized services. It depends on DDD eligibility, the Individual Support Plan, authorized hours, the caregiver's relationship to the person, the Qualified Vendor agency, and current Arizona requirements.
Services may include respite, habilitation, or attendant care. Provider onboarding may involve background or fingerprint requirements, Electronic Visit Verification, CPR and First Aid, Article 9, Prevention & Support, and other service-specific qualifications.
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Eligibility, payment rules, authorized services, hiring, and family-provider policies can change. Weyr & Roots doesn't endorse a particular provider. Confirm current requirements with DDD, the Support Coordinator, and the agency involved.
Back to DDD MenuArticle 9 and Member Rights
People receiving DDD services keep their human and civil rights. Article 9 addresses dignity, privacy, communication, choice, freedom from mistreatment, and the limited circumstances in which a right may be restricted. A concern doesn't need a perfect label before someone asks for help.
Call 911 when someone is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical help.
Contact Adult Protective Services for a vulnerable adult or the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline for a child.
Document what happened. Contact the provider and the DDD Support Coordinator. Ask about the formal grievance or incident-report process.
Ask for the written policy, plan, or decision. Disability Rights Arizona may provide information, advocacy, or legal assistance.
The Right to an Ordinary Life
Privacy, choice, communication, relationships, meaningful work, recreation, community, dignity, and fun aren't rewards or extras. They are ordinary parts of being human.
Assistance should expand a person's life, not control it.
Tyler Greene created this film in 2006 as his Eagle Scout project. Tyler, who had cerebral palsy, shares his own life and perspective on Ability Awareness and inclusion. The complete official video preserves the work and credits of everyone who helped create it.
Watch through Tyler's official site and explore language optionsCaptions are requested in the player. Caption and language availability is controlled by the official video host.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is one of Arizona DDD's qualifying diagnoses, but a diagnosis never tells the whole story of a person's communication, movement, health, interests, relationships, or goals.
About These Resources
Weyr & Roots provides these links for informational purposes. Inclusion doesn't constitute endorsement or guarantee eligibility, availability, services, or outcomes. Programs and requirements can change. Confirm current information with the organization or agency responsible for the program.