Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center FY2020

2020

Description/Features The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (MODDRC) is an information and referral service located at the Institute, and is funded by the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities. Center staff helps locate needed disability related services and obtain current print, video, and audio materials on specific disabilities or disability related topics. Services are available at no cost to any family, individual, or organization in Missouri. Disability related information is also provided on the Resource Center?s web site at www.moddrc.com. The DDRC is staffed by one individual with a developmental disability and three parents of children with disabilities. The Consumer Advisory Committee consists of self-advocates, parents, and community stakeholders who help plan and revise the web site for accessibility and usefulness to people with disabilities. They also formulate goals and review topic packets for usefulness to families. Need In 1988 the initial need for an information and referral service was identified in "Families Speak Out? Forums. In 1989, the Institute conducted an evaluation of the MR/DD case management system and confirmed the need for an information and referral service. Outcomes In 1991, information and referral services of the Institute?s Autism Resource Center were extended to include other low-incidence disabilities. In 1998, development of a web site began to disseminate information about disabilities and provide chat rooms. In 2000, the web site was further development to include information on over 200 disabilities, support group information, and disability related events in Missouri. In 2001, a web site for the Sharing Our Strengths Support Matching Network was developed under the Resource Center for parents, self-advocates, siblings, other family members and professionals in order to participate in a mentoring program that provides support for individuals requesting it. Benefits In 2000, the Harris Poll reported that on-line information is having a very positive impact on the lives of adults with disabilities by significantly improving the quality of their lives, helping them to be better informed about and connected to the world, and helping them to reach out to people with similar interests and experiences. This is the first time information and referral services have been offered in Missouri to families of individuals with low incidence disabilities. People with disabilities, their families, and professionals have access to current information that can improve support systems for people with disabilities. Over 3,500 people have been provided information in the past year by the MODDRC MODDRC has presented its services at 10 statewide disability conferences and at over 21 parent groups, meetings, Regional Centers and workshops. The maintenance of 28 conference areas on the web site with over 400 members and over 12,000 hits in the past year. The web site has over 200 disability-specific and 76 disability topic articles available to the public as well as MOTAP reports, a national support directory, and a calendar of events. MODDRC has been presented to the national scientific community at the Society for Computers in Psychology annual meeting

Disability Information; low-incidence disabilitities; laymen's terms

Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Quality of Life, Other - Leadership, Other

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Rural/Remote, Urban

Single-County, Mulit-County, State, International

N/A