The Arc of Colorado
1580 Logan Street
Suite 730
Denver, CO 80203

Telephone:  303-864-9334
Facsimile: 303-864-9330

About Developmental Disabilities


Federal Definition: 

The Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act was originally passed by the US congress in 1963; it was updated in 2000. 

In the Developmental Disabilities Act, the term "developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that --

(A) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairment;

(B) is manifested before the individual attains age 22;

(C) is likely to continue indefinitely;

(D) results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity:

                         (i)            self-care;
(ii)            receptive and expressive language;
(iii)           learning;
(iv)            mobility;
(v)             self-direction;
(vi)            capacity for independent living; and
(vii)          economic self-sufficiency; and

 

(E) reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or

generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended

duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described above in (A) through (E) if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.“

Colorado Definition:

The Colorado definition of developmental disability is more restrictive than the federal definition.
Colorado state law 27-10.5-102 (11) (a) says: “A developmental disability is a disability that is manifested before the person reaches 22 years of age, which constitutes a substantial disability to the affected individual, and is attributable to mental retardation or related conditions which include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or other neurological conditions when such conditions result in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with mental retardation. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the federal definition of "Developmental Disability" found in 42 U.S.C. 6000, et seq., shall not apply.”
 
 
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