Using Needs Assessment to Develop Programs for Elderly Developmentally Disabled Persons in a Rural Setting

The Needs Assessment for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (NAADD) was developed and field tested on 60 aging adults with developmental disabilities. This instrument is described and selected results of the field test are reported. The ways in which these results were used for program planning are reported. Recommendations are made for planning programs to provide community-based services for elderly persons with developmental disabilities based on needs assessments and utilization of community resources.