Those conditions that are a direct or indirect consequence of a primary disability.

Sudden, uncontrollable spasm of muscles caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain (see epilepsy).

An individual speaking or acting for him-/herself. Includes the individual determining what is best for him/her and taking charge in getting it as well as standing up for his/her rights as a person.

An individual with a disability who speaks or acts for him/herself. This includes making choices and decisions about one’s life.

Self-determination means giving the person with a developmental disability control over how public funds allocated for his/her services and supports are spent. Because self-determination is based on the principles of freedom, authority, support and responsibility, it also means things like setting and pursuing goals, living in a place of one’s choosing, holding a job and taking responsibility for making a contribution back to the community.

Self-sufficiency refers to the ability to meet one's needs without outside assistance. For example, a person who is economically self-sufficient would not rely on cash assistance or cash benefits to meet his/her daily living needs.

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.

Any of several speech problems that include articulation impairment (omissions, substitutions or distortions of sound), voice impairment (inappropriate pitch, loudness or voice quality) and fluency impairment (abnormal rate of speaking, speech interruptions and repetition of sounds, words, phrases or sentences which interferes with effective communication).

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.

A condition caused by the incomplete closure of the spine during fetal development.  Characteristics include muscle weakness or paralysis below the area of the spine where the incomplete closure occurs; loss of bowel and bladder control; and/or accumulation of fluid in the brain, which is controlled by a surgical procedure, called shunting.

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.