Developmental Disabilities Institute

Developmental Disabilities Institute, now known as Brightway Living & Learning, is a non-profit provider of autism and developmental disabilities services to the Long Island community. Founded in 1961 by a group of families seeking appropriate programs for their children, the organisation supports more than 1,600 individuals and operates as a multi-site agency headquartered in Smithtown, NY. It is one of the largest disability service providers on Long Island.

The agency runs a continuum of care from early childhood through adulthood. Its services include early childhood education, school-age programmes, children's residential services, adult day services, adult residential services, vocational training, transportation and self-direction support, which allows individuals and families to direct their own care and services.

Work across these programmes draws on applied behaviour analysis (ABA), special education, therapeutic intervention, evidence-based behavioural approaches, early childhood education and vocational training. The organisation combines evidence-based methods with creative strategies, and describes its approach as collaborative, working alongside families and caregivers and supporting individuals to progress at their own pace, with an emphasis on independence, meaningful relationships and community connection.