The state of New York and its local governments have a responsibility for the prevention and early detection of developmental disabilities and for the comprehensively planned provision of services including care, treatment habilitation and rehabilitation of their citizens with developmental disabilities.

Therefore, it shall be the policy of the state to conduct research and to develop programs to further the prevention and early detection of developmental disabilities; to develop a comprehensive, integrated system of services which has as its primary purposes the promotion and attainment of independence, inclusion, individuality and productivity for persons with developmental disabilities; to serve the full range of needs of persons with developmental disabilities by expanding the number and types of community based services and developing new methods of service delivery; and to improve the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of services for persons with developmental disabilities by serving persons in the community as well as those in developmental centers, by improving the conditions in developmental centers, and by establishing accountability for carrying out the policies of the state with regard to such persons.

To accomplish these goals and meet the particular needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, a new autonomous agency to be known as the office for people with developmental disabilities has been established. The office and its commissioner shall plan and work with local governments and voluntary organizations and all providers of services, and individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and representatives, to develop an effective, integrated, comprehensive system for the delivery of all necessary supports and services to all individuals with developmental disabilities and to create financing procedures and mechanisms to support such a system of supports and services to ensure that all individuals with developmental disabilities in need of supports and services receive appropriate and timely supports and services close to their families and community. In carrying out these responsibilities, the office and its commissioner shall make full use of existing services in the community, including those provided by voluntary and other service organizations, and within annual amounts made available shall add in-home, residential and day service and support capacity, to address the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Any provisions of this article which explicitly or implicitly apply to, or reference, persons who are mentally retarded, shall be deemed to apply to, or reference, persons with developmental disabilities.