The R.I. Developmental Disabilities Council
The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council is a federally mandated and funded agency of state government in Rhode Island. Promoting the ideas that will enhance the lives of people with developmental disabilities is one of the Council's missions.
Under federal enabling legislation the council stays abreast of and shares information about new programs and services and important issues, trends and ideas that are of concern to people with developmental disabilities, families, service agencies, business and community leaders, legislators and policy makers.
In this sense the RIDDC web site connects people with the information they need to make positive changes in their lives or to develop a frame of reference for decision making.
The Institute for Quality of Life
The Institute for Quality of Life is a small independent consultancy that provides services for research, advocacy and education by, for and about persons with disability. In each of these areas, activities are centered on the promotion do awareness, empowerment and inclusion of persons with disability in the community.
Research - IQOL provides services that increase in number and strengthen in scope the body of data and science that supports advances in policy and practice affecting persons with disabilities. This includes envisioning creating, conducting and reporting using scientific methodology to inform advocacy efforts.
Education - IQOL provides health promotion and provider/consumer education for the enhancement of wellness and maximal quality of life for persons with disability. This includes educational seminars, presence on advisory groups, and activities that promote awareness of disability and wellness issues.
Advocacy - IQOL influences policy and practice to look beyond the quantitative elements of service provision to the important values of community inclusion to which all persons are entitled. This is accomplished by, but not limited to: vision, presence, consultation, and the publishing of research results.
Principals for the Institute for Quality of Life are Susan E. Roush, PT, PhD and Kathleen Fresher-Samways, PT, DPT.
