Assistance provided to persons in gaining access to needed social, medical, vocational and educational services and supports. See also "case management."

Funds available to individuals who have worked and paid into the Social Security system and who are too disabled to work according to Social Security guidelines.  This differs from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) generally in that SSI recipients have not worked previously.

Enables a person with speech impairment to use his/her own voice or voice synthesizer to call another person through Relay North Carolina.  STS provides trained operators who function as live voices for users who have trouble being understood on the telephone.  The operator will repeat the words of the person with the speech impairment to whomever that person is calling.  The service also works in reverse so that anyone may initiate a call to a person with a speech impairment using STS.  STS users may also make relay calls to TTY users through STS.

Direct, monthly cash payments to provide minimum income for individuals who meet a financial-needs test and who are elderly, blind or have a disability.

means services, such as long-term training and ongoing support, that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to perform competitive work in integrated work settings.

Services and supports designed to assist an individual with developmental disabilities in activities of daily living which enable that individual to live in the his/her own home, family home or rental unit.

is an assessment tool that evaluates practical support requirements of a person with an intellectual disability. SIS is comprehensive and engages the consumer in a positive interview process.

Case management consists of services which help beneficiaries gain access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services. "Targeted" case management services are those aimed specifically at special groups of enrollees such as those with developmental disabilities or chronic mental illness.

A device similar to a computer keyboard, either with a cradle to rest a telephone handset on or connected directly to the telephone.  A TDD allows the user to communicate by typing messages on the keyboard and receiving messages on the screen above the keyboard. This teletext device typewriter is usually referred to as a TTY by members of the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Therapy which uses recreation and activities to improve functioning and enhance the health and well-being of people whose functional abilities are limited due to illness, disability or other conditions.

The process of moving from one stage of life or "set" of services to another; for example, transitioning from services provided by the school system to adult life in the community as the student nears completion of school or moving a child from an early intervention or preschool program to a school setting.

An approach to accessibility that concentrates on making all aspects of an environment accessible to all people, regardless of their level of ability. Examples of universal design include lever handles rather than round door knobs for doors; lower light switches; water controls located towards the outside of the tub; adjustable closet rods and shelves; dual-height water fountains; playground equipment accessible to all children, including those who use wheelchairs; and household items (e.g., microwave ovens, televisions, radios) with touch-sensitive controls.

a framework for designing curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. UDL provides rich supports for learning and reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all.

The term "unserved and underserved" includes populations such as individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, disadvantaged individuals, individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals from underserved geographic areas (rural or urban), and specific groups of individuals within the population of individuals with developmental disabilities, including individuals who require assistive technology in order to participate in and contribute to community life. (114 STAT. 1682 PUBLIC LAW 106–402—OCT. 30, 2000)