Diversity Day Activity Inc. Provides Life-Skills Training to Individuals Diagnosed With Mental Retardation.

Lifestyle Editors

SUGAR LAND, Texas--(BW HealthWire)--May 1, 2002

Families Challenged by the Lack of Comprehensive Support

Services for Adults and School-Aged Children With Mental

Disabilities Have a 24-Hour Alternative

Individuals with disabling challenges such as orthopedic and physical challenges, autism, mental retardation and vision and hearing impairments are prospective employees, regular customers and active church or club members. Far too often, however, they are excluded either because of societal myths or misconceptions about their capabilities. Houston-based Diversity Day Activity Inc. (DDAI) seeks to reveal the truth about the often hidden potential these individuals have. The reality is that many of these people have the desire to be included but lack the appropriate, available services to meet the specific support, training, development and vocational needs necessary for them to function inclusively.

Located in Sugar Land, Texas, DDAI was formed to provide a careful array of professional services responsive to these individual needs. Most people placed in residential services are adults, and most need a good deal of assistance with personal care and daily living. DDAI provides comprehensive 24-hour services, family support services and respite services for people with mental retardation transitioning from institutions and high schools in community settings, options DDAI founders realized were missing in the Houston and surrounding areas.

According to Executive Director Pat Duncan, "The people in our programs are adults and school-aged children with developmental disabilities, the most common of which is mental retardation." Duncan goes on to say, "Our participants fall in the range of profound to high functioning levels, with some individuals requiring a fair amount of assistance with basic living skills while most others are quite independent."

DDAI's success is achieved, in large part, because of its unique partnership with a host of subsidiaries that provide comprehensive services ranging from residential care to transportation. McKinney-Carey Inc. represents DDAI's most recent partnership. Licensed through the Texas Department of Human Services and certified through the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation as a Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) program provider, McKinney-Carey Inc. is providing direct services that include case management, counseling, day habilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, nursing care, minor home modifications and adaptive equipment, and family support.

Diversity Day Activity Inc. focuses on the positive contributions every individual can make to his community and does so within a broad array of development-enhancing experiences.