About the Administration on Disabilities
Jennifer Johnson, Acting Commissioner
Jennifer Johnson, Deputy Commissioner
The Administration on Disabilities (AoD) focuses on creating change so that people with disabilities of all ages face fewer barriers to leading a full life of their choosing in the community.
Our goal is to move from:
- Institutionalization,
- Isolation/discrimination,
- Poverty/joblessness, and
- Dependency
To:
- Community living,
- Inclusion & participation,
- Financial well being, and
- Independence & self-determination.
Under the provisions established through various authorizing statutes, AoD funds and leads initiatives focused on direct services, research, capacity-building, and system change that are advancing the quality of community living. AoD programs serve diverse individuals of all ages and with all types of disabilities — and their families — including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, and people living with paralysis, limb loss, and limb difference.
AoD’s efforts advance the following strategic priorities:
- Ensuring quality community living and the protection of rights and prevention of abuse;
- Increasing life expectancy by addressing health disparities to achieve greater health equity;
- Advancing economic security and mobility that includes increased opportunities for competitive integrated employment; and
- Achieving operational excellence, quality, and compliance.
AoD is organized into three offices:
Office of Disability Services Innovation (ODSI)
Ophelia McLain, Director
ODSI manages discretionary grant programs, including the Projects of National Significance (PNS) that focuses on expanding opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to contribute to, and participate in, all facets of community life; the Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Program, the National Limb Loss Resource Center, and the National Paralysis Resource Center. ODSI also administers four Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) programs as authorized under the DD Act, the Help America Vote Act, the Assistive Technology Act, and the Traumatic Brain Injury Act, respectively. The 57 P&As in the states, territories, and Native American community work to protect individuals by empowering them and advocating on their behalf. ODSI collaborates across the organization to execute AoD’s strategic priorities and provides leadership in promoting innovation in disability services and supports, drawing on a number of resources including the work of the P&As, to identify issues and the most promising solutions.
Office of Independent Living Programs (OILP)
Erica McFadden, Director
OILP manages the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Independent Living Services (ILS) programs under the Rehabilitation Act, as amended. The CIL program funds 352 awards to community-based organizations that provide direct services to individuals with disabilities. The ILS program funds 56 states and territories to sustain, expand, and improve independent living services in each state. Together these programs promote the independent living of individuals with disabilities to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into American society by:
- Enhancing consumer control;
- Increasing use of peer support, self-help, and self-determination;
- Ensuring equal access; and
- Supporting individual and system advocacy.
OILP, in partnership with the IL programs, promotes the independent living philosophy and provides leadership to the federal and non-federal partners to advance the independent living philosophy.
Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disability (OIDD)
David Jones, Director
OIDD administers two federally funded programs under the Developmental Disabilities Act (DD Act): 56 State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) and 68 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) . The SCDDs are catalysts for positive change. Their work removes barriers and increases opportunities for people with I/DD so they can live — and fully participate — in the community. The UCEDDs generate knowledge to support the independence and inclusion of people I/DD in all aspects of community life.
OIDD also provides support for the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) — the federal advisory committee reporting to the President and the Secretary of HHS on matters relating to people with intellectual disabilities. In collaboration with PCPID, OIDD provides leadership to the federal government on issues facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families to promote self-determination, independence, integration, and inclusion in all aspects of community life.