The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act, also known as the Lanterman Act, is a California state law enacted in 1977 to protect the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Lanterman Act seeks to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities are provided with the necessary services and supports to maximize their individual potential and quality of life. This article will provide an overview of the Lanterman Act, including its definition, history, and characteristics.
Definition
The Lanterman Act is an act of the California Legislature that provides a number of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Lanterman Act defines “developmental disabilities” as mental or physical impairments that are attributable to a disability or combination of disabilities that occur before the age of 18 and are expected to continue indefinitely. This definition includes, but is not limited to, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other conditions.
History
The Lanterman Act was passed in 1977 in response to the lack of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Prior to the passage of the Lanterman Act, individuals with developmental disabilities were often placed in large, underfunded, and often abusive institutions. The Lanterman Act was the first major piece of legislation in the United States that sought to address the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Characteristics
The Lanterman Act provides a number of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. These services include, but are not limited to, community-based services, in-home services, respite care, case management, and other needed supports. The Lanterman Act also provides a number of rights for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, including the right to access services and supports, the right to make decisions about their care, and the right to be free from discrimination.
Conclusion
The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act is an important piece of legislation that provides a number of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. This article has provided an overview of the Lanterman Act, including its definition, history, and characteristics.
References
California Department of Developmental Services. (n.d.). Overview of the Lanterman Act. Retrieved from https://www.dds.ca.gov/LantermanAct/
California Legislature. (1977). The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Chapter 11, Statutes of 1977). Retrieved from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=4512.&lawCode=WIC
California State Senate. (2020). Senate Bill 75: The Lanterman Act. Retrieved from https://www.senate.ca.gov/s75
Kirby, R. S. (2012). Public policy and the rights of persons with developmental disabilities: A comparative perspective. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 35(5), 382-389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2012.05.001