A
ADA / Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) - The civil rights act for persons with disabilities.
Addiction - Physical or psychological dependence on a substance, with lack of the substance causing withdrawal symptoms.
ADL / Activities of Daily Living - Basic skills such as housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, money management, arranging social activities, use of public transportation and self-medication.
Advocacy - Speaking for or urging a cause, such as equal access to community services.
Aging Out - Term applying to a student who is nearing the end of his/her school career. It is generally used in regard to students who have severe disabilities and who will require programs and services into their adult years.
Assistive Technology Device - Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off-the-shelf, modified or customized, that  increases, maintains, or improves functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.     
                                                  
C
Career / Vocational Assessment -  The systematic collection of information about the student’s vocational aptitudes, abilities, expressed inter and occupational  awareness used in planning his or her transition to competitive employment or postsecondary education.
Caregiver -  One who looks after or takes charge of a person.
CBI: Community Based Instruction - Integrating students into their community as part of their education.
Community-Based - Services provided in a non-institutional setting, preferably in individual’s home community.
Community-Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) - A living arrangement in which eight or fewer individuals with a mental disability reside under super vision and are provided with an array of services.
Community Supported Living Arrangement (SLA) - Provision of supports and services designed to help an individual live in his/her own home or apartment in a community near significant others.
Community Residence - A facility in the community providing room, board, and clinical supervision and homelike environment. Two examples are group homes and halfway houses.
Competitive Employment - A job in the community in which the hiring, salary, and job description and evaluations are handled equal for all employees.
Counseling - Advice or guidance provided by training, licensed professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a social worker.
Crisis Intervention - Assisting individuals or their families in emergency situations, for example, housing medical, and/or psychiatric needs.
Crises Residence - Provides time-limited shelter and support services for individuals with a mental illness who are experiencing crises.  
    
D
Day Treatment - A planned combination of broad diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitated services provided during daytime hours while the person with a mental illness lives at home or in the community residence.
Detoxification - The process of restoring physiological functioning after it has been seriously disturbed by alcohol, drugs or other addictive substances.
Developmental Disability - A severe, chronic disability which:  a) is a mental or physical impairment or combination of the two;  b) occurs before the age of 22; c) is likely to continue;  d) results in limitations in three or more areas of major life activity, including: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; and e) reflects the need for special, interdisciplinary care, treatment, or other services which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned or coordinated.

A person with developmental disabilities is someone who has not progressed at the “standard” rate in acquiring skills in motor, adaptive, communicative, and social areas. The four disabilities most common to individuals diagnosed as having a developmental disability include epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, and mental retardation.
Developmental Training (D.T.) - A post-secondary day program in which skills for independent living are developed and enhanced through repetitive learning activities. Programs include motor development, dressing and grooming, toileting, eating, language, reading and writing, quantitative skill development, independent living reduction of maladaptive behavior, and vocational preparation.
Diagnosis (Primary) - The name of the major conditions (physical, developmental, or mental) for which a person is being treated.
Diagnosis (Secondary) - The name of an additional or secondary condition (physical, developmental, or mental) for which a person is being treated.
DSS: Department of Social Services - This department provides a wide array of services for people who are economically and socially disadvantaged. The department also supervises residential facilities to  protect the rights of clients and ensure adequate levels of care.
Dual Diagnosis - A term referring to individuals having diagnoses in one (or more) of the following: mental illness, mental retardation or developmental disabilities, or substance abuse.
Dysfunctional - The inability or impaired ability of a body part or system to function as expected.

E
Educational Surrogate Parent - A person who is appointed to serve as a parent representative to the school, for a student receiving special education services, when parental rights have been terminated or the parents/guardians are unknown or cannot be located.

F
Family Care - A program in which persons with a mental illness are placed in approved homes for room, board, and supervision.
Family Directed Planning - A Planning process in which the student and the student’s family are the team leaders.
Family Support Groups - Self-help groups for family members who have a relative with the disability.
Functional Disability - A diminished ability to perform independently in specific areas of living. This conclusion is based on a functional assessment.

G
Group Home - See Community Residence Guardianship Third party (e.g., parent is granted decision-making power over their child’s finances.

H 
Halfway House - A supervised community residence or group home for individuals recovering from mental illness after they have been discharged from the hospital and before they are  able to live independently.
Home-based Care - Care provided in the home in which an individual usually lives.
Hospitalization - Placement into a large residential facility, generally operated by a government agency. Usually refers to a developmental center or psychiatric center.
Housing and Shelter Allowances - Cash grants or vouchers to help people provide for housing needs.

I
IDEA: Individuals With Disabilities Education Act - Reauthorization of PL 94-192. These are federal regulations that govern special education, IEP, and transition services.
IDT: Intensive Day Treatment - An educational program designed to support children and adolescents who are not currently dangerous and who are experiencing a crisis at home and / or school. The program provides short-term, intensive intervention, treatment, and educational sup- port. The goal of the IDT program is to return the student to the home school within 30 days.
IEP: Individualized Education Program - The written plan designed to help develop specific educational goals for the child with disabilities’. It identifies disability, describes the child’s strengths and areas of need; lists goals that the child should reach in a years time, includes short-term instructional objectives that represent a series of skills to master or goals to accomplish; and identifies programs and services, including regular education, that the child will receive. A new IEP is developed each year. From age 14 on, the IEP will also address transition needs and services.
IEP Team - A multi-disciplinary team, including the student and parents that review evaluations and recommend special educational programs and services for children with disabilities.
In-Home Respite / Respite Care - Services in home of the disabled individual to relieve the usual caregiver (parent, spouse, sibling, etc.) of the care of the individual for a period of time.
Independent Living - Living in a house or apartment alone or with others, but not with a family member or professional staff.
Independent Living with Support - A residence of an individual’s choice where he or she lives with support services as needed.
Independent Living Center (ILC) - Community-based programs that provide assistance to persons with disabilities to in- sure full participation in community life.
Intensive Case Management (ICM) - Intensive community support for individuals recovering with mental illness.
Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation - A time-limited, ONH-licensed program in which treatment – staff and client develop a mutually agreed on plan that outlines specific goals, methods, and a timetable to help the client acquire the skills and support to live, work, learn, and participate in social relationships in the community.
Intensive Supportive Community Residence - A community residence program for persons recovering from mental illness that provides support through daily staff visits. Skills to be learned include meal preparation, shopping, laundry, and cleaning.
Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICFDD) - A licensed group residence with close supervision from paid staff members. Training and supervision is provided to achieve adequate social and daily living skill in order for the resident to live in a smaller residential setting in the future.
Invisible Disability - A disability with no visible or obvious physical manifestation. A visible disability could include a missing limb or Down’s syndrome. An invisible disability could include schizophrenia or dyslexia.
Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) - A training plan written by a DVR counselor that leads to employment. Replaces the term IWRP.

J
Job - An immediate task, paid or unpaid.
Job Coach - A person who provides assistance to an individual with a disability to learn or maintain a job. This can include training and support at the job site. See supported employment.
Job Training - Program that prepares people for job opportunities.

L
Learning Disabled (LD) - A processing disorder that causes students to have a problem listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, or doing arithmetic. A learning disability is not primarily due to the physical, mental, or emotional disability to environmental, cultural or
economic factors.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) - A work, school, or living situation that allows individuals as much freedom of choice and independence as possible without endangering their health or physical safety.
Leisure-Time Skills - Generally refers to skills such as developing hobbies, making choices about what recreational or social activities to attend, deciding how to spend free time, and put- ting the ideas into action.

M
Medicaid - A Colorado program of monetary assistance for people who cannot afford to pay for medical care. Transportation and medical services are some of the activities that can be funded by Medicaid.
Medicare - A federal health insurance program mainly for persons aged 65 or older, with some limited benefits for younger persons who have been eligible for Social Security disability benefits for more that two years.
Mental Illness - A general term denoting disorders that affect feelings, thoughts, or behavior characterized by distressing symptoms or impaired functioning over a period of time.
Mental Retardation - Below average intellectual functioning resulting in impaired learning, social adjustment, and maturation.
Mobile Crises Team - A team of mental health professionals who are available in an emergency to go into homes or programs to resolve critical problems.
Multi-Disciplinary Team - A group of professional and non-professional staff, such as teachers, nurses, social workers, doctors, speech therapists, physical therapists, etc. This team usually includes family members and the consumer, the student in the planning and decision- making process. 
Multiply Disabled - Students who have two or more disabilities that result in multiply sensory or motor deficiencies and developmental lags in the cognitive, affective, or cycle motor areas.

N
Networking - Sharing information services among individuals, groups, or agencies.
Neurology - The field of medicine that deals with the nervous system and the disorders.

O
Occupational Therapy - Planned activity for persons with disabilities to help them gain greater independence in living and work environments and prevent further disabilities.
Ombudsman - A person who investigates and mediates a client’s problems and complaints in relation to an agency’s services.
Outpatient - A patient, not hospitalized, who is treated in an office, clinic, or other health care facility.

P
Partial Hospitalization - An OHM-licensed outpatient program designed to stabilize and reduce acute psychiatric symptoms. The goal is to prevent inpatient hospitalization or to shorten the stay of a person already hospitalized.
Pass Plan: Plan for Achieving Self Support - A work incentive for individuals who receive SSI that allows the individuals to set aside income for achieving a specific life goal in a specified period of time. This set aside income is not included when determining overall assets. As a result, the con- summer is not punished with reduced benefits for working.
Personal Adjustment Training - A DVR sponsored training period to determine an individual’s readiness to work.
Pediatric - Concerning the branch of medicine that deals with the care of infants and children and treatment of their disease.
Peer Counseling - A type of guidance in which persons of the same age, disability, or other similar interest are trained to help guide others.
PL 94-142: Public Law 94-142 - Federal law signed in 1975 that mandates that students with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public education, instruction in the least restrictive environment, with equal access and due process. Reauthorized as IDEA.
Pre-Vocational - The term referring to activities designed to prepare an individual for a job and teach job-related behaviors.
Primary Caregiver - The person who spends the most time in caring for someone who is unable to be independent.
Prognosis - Prediction of the course of the disease or disability.
Psychological Evaluation - An assessment of performance and capabilities which uses psychological tests to guide the establishment of appropriate interventions.
Psycho-Social Evaluation - An assessment of an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and interactions with people.

R
Recipient/Consumer/Customer/Client - Consumer of medical rehabilitation, residential support services.
Recreational Therapy - A structured plan to develop a healthy body and mind through fun and relaxation.
Referral - Sending a client to another source or provider to get advice or treatment.
Rehabilitation - The process of regaining lost functions and skills.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - The federal act that makes provisions for training, equipment, and other services that people with disabilities may need in order to work and live independently in their communities.
Residential Care/Treatment - Programs providing therapeutic living environments in community-based facilities such as community residences.
Respite - Time away from the responsibilities of caring for someone who cannot care for him/ herself.

S
School to Work Opportunities Act - The federal act that provides funding for systemic change that includes work-based, school-based and connecting activities to create quality opportunities for all students.
Screen - To test for signs of the disorder that might require further investigation.
Section 504 (Sec. 504) - The anti-discrimination sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that affects all programs receiving federal funding.
Self-Advocacy - The process of obtaining needed services for oneself.
Self-Determination - A process in which the individual’s preferences, interests, abilities, and wishes are the focus of planning and implementing activities.
Self-Help - Assisting oneself. Refers also to groups who meet to help one another.
Service Coordinator - An advocate chosen by the consumer to assist in assessing health and social service systems and to assure that all required services are obtained.
Sheltered Workshop - A place where individuals with disabilities work for pay (usually below minimum wage), while they learn vocational skills.
Sliding Scale Fee - Amount of money charged for professional services based on a client’s ability to pay.
Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT) - An irrevocable trust that takes effect during a parent’s lifetime, generally used to supplement the government benefits.
Social Security - Federal government income plan payable to retied workers, survivors, and indi- viduals with disabilities, who qualify.
Special Education - Specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of the child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, homes, hospitals and institutions, and in other settings.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Basic monthly financial assistance for people with disabilities who are not gainfully employed and for the elderly.
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) - Provides benefits to workers or certain members of a worker’s family who may qualify, based on impairment severe enough to prevent working for a year or more, or which is expected to result in death. The definition requires total disability. Benefits will continue as long as the person is medically disabled and not engaged in substantial gainful employment.
Support Groups - Groups of people with similar needs and concerns who meet together to support each other and the shared information.
Supported Apartment - An apartment where a person with disability gets help in order to live as independently as possible.
Supported Employment - A program for persons with substantial disabilities designed to assist integration into competitive employment.
Supported Living Arrangement (SLA) - A group residence where an individual lives with minimum supervision from paid staff members. Residents are expected to self-administer medications, to demonstrate basic social and daily living skills, to function independently in the community and work or attend a day program.

T
Therapeutic Recreation - See Recreational Therapy
Transition - The passing from one condition, activity or place to another. The movement from school to adult life and the world of work. The transition is complex and involves
decisions about career, living arrangements, social and financial goals.
Transition Services - A coordinated set of activities for students as part of the IEP, designed to promote movement from school to post school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, related services, independent living, or community participation. Transition planning becomes a part of the IEP process for students at age 14.
Triennial Review - A complete review of the student’s special education eligibility status conducted every three years by the 

V
Vocational (Career) Assessment - The systematic collection of information about the student’s vocational aptitudes, abilities, expressed interests, and occupational awareness used in planning a transition to competitive employment or post secondary education.

W
Wechlser Adult Intelligence Scale – Revised (WAIS-R) - A test of mental ability for those over 16 years of age.
Work Adjustment Training (WAT) - A DVR sponsored training period to determine an individual’s readiness to work.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd Edition) WISC III - A test of mental ability for children 6 to 16 years of age.
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) - A test of mental ability for children under six years of age.
Workforce (WIA) - A federal program administered by a local government body which provides funding for vocational skills development and job placement.