Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Service Office

What We Believe In We help people with developmental disabilities live richer lives. Our Vision: People with developmental disabilities enjoy meaningful relationships with friends, family, and others in their lives; experience personal health and growth; and live in the home of their choice and fully participate in their communities. Our Values Compassion: The capacity to appreciate what others think and feel. Dignity: The recognition of the worth of each person and the treatment of individual rights and preferences with respect, honor, and fairness. Diversity: The celebration, respect and embracing of the differences among us because these differences strengthen and define us. Excellence: The continual emphasis on innovation, increasing knowledge, and delivering the highest quality supports and services. Honesty: The foundation on which trust is built and truth is communicated. Guiding Principles Put the Person First: People with developmental disabilities are at the heart of everything we do, and this person-first ethic is embodied in the way we express ourselves. Improve Overall Quality of Life: OPWDD’s vision of productive and fulfilling lives for people with developmental disabilities is achieved by creating opportunities and supporting people in ways that allow for as many people as possible to access the supports and services they want and need. Provide Equal Opportunity: Access to supports and services is fair and equitable; a range of options is available in local communities to ensure this access, regardless of where in New York State one resides. Ensure Accountability: There is a shared accountability and responsibility among and by all stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, their families, the public, and our nonprofit providers. OPWDD’s staff and providers are held to a high degree of accountability in carrying out responsibilities. We strive to earn and keep the individual trust of people with developmental disabilities and their families, as well as the public trust. Creating a system of supports that honors an individual’s right to be responsible for their own life and accountable for their own decisions is of paramount importance. Nurture Partnerships and Collaborations: The needs of people with developmental disabilities are as diverse as the individuals themselves. We believe our services and supports are most effective when there is collaboration with the many local and statewide entities that are partners in planning for and meeting these needs; this may include people who have developmental disabilities, their families, nonprofit providers, communities, local government and social, health, and educational systems.