Informed choice refers to a person’s ability to understand and use programs successfully, because the programs and services are designed to enable consumers to navigate them competently and without fear of reprisal. Individuals with disabilities need to know how to find, evaluate and use information, which will better inform their decision making process. Service delivery systems should facilitate—not stifle or direct—this decision making process.

A setting in which individuals interact with non-disabled individuals other than those who may be providing services to that person. It refers to a setting in the community in which individuals interact with non-disabled individuals, other than those who are providing services to that person, to the same extent that non-disabled individuals in comparable positions interact with other persons.

As defined by federal law, (a) the use by persons with developmental disabilities of the same community resources that are used by and available to other citizens, (b) the participation by persons with developmental disabilities in the same community activities and integrated employment in which citizens without disabilities participate, together with regular contact with citizens without disabilities, (c) the use of the same community resources by persons with developmental disabilities living, learning, working and enjoying life in regular contact with citizens without disabilities, (d) the development of friendships and relationships with citizens without disabilities, and (e) the residence by persons with developmental disabilities in homes which are in proximity to community resources, together with regular contact with citizens without disabilities in their communities.

The term "integration", used with respect to individuals with developmental disabilities, means exercising the equal right of individuals with developmental disabilities to access and use the same community resources as are used by and available to other individuals. (114 STAT. 1682 PUBLIC LAW 106–402—OCT. 30, 2000)

Certified private group homes and public mental retardation centers that provide 24-hour personal care, habilitation and developmental and support services to people with developmental disabilities who have intermittent, recurring needs for nursing skills but don’t require continuous skilled nursing care.

A person who provides one-to-one supports to a person with a developmental disability to assist in securing and maintaining competitive employment. Responsibilities include training the individual to do the job and staying on the job with the employee to monitor and evaluate the worker’s performance; decreasing his/her, presence to only periodic checking once the employee’s work is satisfactory to the employer.

This term refers to the act of providing services to a person with a disability in a manner that results in the greatest amount of freedom to make choices and act autonomously, to participate in one’s community and interact with people who do not have disabilities, to experience meaningful relationships, and to be free of restrictions imposed by environments or the method of service provision. The concept encompasses the notion that providing enabling supports, including assistive technology, can reduce or eliminate the need to provide services in a more limiting environment.

LMEs are agencies of local government-area authorities or county programs-who are responsible for managing, coordinating, facilitating, and monitoring the provision of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services in the catchment area served. LME responsibilities include offering consumers 24/7/365 access to services, developing and overseeing providers, and handling consumer complaints and grievances.

Purposeful, planned efforts to integrate persons with disabilities into the "mainstream" of society. This term is usually used in a school setting to refer to the integration of students with disabilities in classrooms of students without disabilities (see inclusion).

A micro-board is formed when a small group (micro) of committed family and friends join together with a person with disabilities to create a non-profit society (board). Together this small group of people addresses the person's planning and support needs in an empowering and customized fashion. A micro-board comes out of the person centered planning philosophy and is therefore created for the sole support of one individual.

A microenterprise is a business with five or fewer employees, which requires $35,000 or less in start-up capital, and which does not have access to the traditional commercial banking sector.

is a Medicaid demonstration project whose purpose is to eliminate barriers or mechanisms, whether in the State law, the State Medicaid plan, the State budget, or otherwise, that prevent or restrict the flexible use of Medicaid funds to enable Medicaid-eligible individuals to receive support for appropriate and necessary long-term services in the settings of their choice.

Therapeutic use of self-care, work and recreational activities to increase independence, enhance development and prevent disability. OT may include adaptation of tasks or environment to achieve maximum independence and optimum quality of life.

Approach to planning services and supports for an individual with disabilities which supports the person in identifying choices, making decisions based on those choices and then honoring those decisions.  The plan should focus on whole-life planning, reflecting what the person wants his/her life to be, and should outline how the person with the developmental disability will achieve and maintain the desired outcomes.