Compliance and quality in residential life. Limitations of regulations as a means of social reform in developmental services.

It has become obvious that community care systems for people with developmental disabilities are not fully realizing some of the stated goals toward which they are directed, despite great process. The foundations and processes by which state agencies regulate and whether the regulatory process can be directed to issues affecting the quality of life of people receiving developmental services were explored. Limitations and side effects of regulations were discussed with respect to the unpredictability of long-term effects, problems in measuring compliance, economic rather than social focus, the changing state of knowledge, and special considerations associated with the field of developmental services.