What Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) does

Developmental Disabilities Institute, now operating as Brightway Living & Learning, is a Long Island-based nonprofit organization founded in 1958 that delivers a full continuum of autism and developmental disability services across the lifespan. The organization supports more than 1,600 individuals from early childhood (ages 3-5) through adulthood via seven primary programs: Early Childhood Program, School Age Program (5-21), Children's Residential Program (5-21), Adult Day Services, Adult Residential Services, a Self-Direction Program, and Transportation Services. Its clinical methodology is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), described as an evidence-based, data-driven behavioral science approach used across programs, with the organization positioning itself as one of Long Island's largest autism and developmental disabilities providers.

The business model is government-funded managed services rather than direct consumer payment. Revenue flows through New York State's Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and related Medicaid HCBS waiver programs, with families and case managers acting as primary decision-makers in service selection. Distribution is direct: services are delivered through the organization's own facilities, residential settings, day-program sites, and community-based settings on Long Island. Customer acquisition is community-led, relying on family referrals, OPWDD referral channels, advocacy partnerships, and an active organic content footprint (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, Threads, and The Eye On Autism Podcast), supplemented by fundraising events such as Main Street Masterpieces and a dedicated storefront.

The organization is privately held (no public listing), operates as a nonprofit, and employs 1,001-5,000 staff. In 2023, after 65 years under the DDI name, the organization rebranded to Brightway Living & Learning with the tagline 'All Ways Forward' — a positioning refresh emphasizing continuity of care across age stages rather than a service model change. Headquartered in Smithtown, New York, DDI/Brightway's operations are regionally concentrated on Long Island with no disclosed geographic expansion plans.

Name

Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)

Legal name

Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)

Website

https://ddiny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Brightway Living & Learning (formerly Developmental Disabilities Institute) is a Long Island-based nonprofit providing a full continuum of autism and developmental disability services — early childhood, school-age, children's and adult residential, day programs, self-direction, and transportation — to more than 1,600 individuals, funded primarily through New York State OPWDD and Medicaid HCBS reimbursements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Applied behavior analysis
• Autism support services
• Residential care programs
• Adult day programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Smithtown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-funded services: Services are funded through OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) and other government programs. The organization operates as a nonprofit providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities and autism, with funding derived from regulatory agencies rather than direct consumer payment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), doing business as Brightway Living & Learning, is a nonprofit human services organization that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)-based programs for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Smithtown, Long Island, NY, the organization delivers early childhood, school-age, adult day, residential, self-direction, transportation, and family support services to more than 1,600 individuals, with operations funded primarily through New York State OPWDD and Medicaid reimbursements.

Product overview

Brightway Living & Learning (formerly Developmental Disabilities Institute/DDI) is a human services organization providing a comprehensive suite of autism and developmental disability services across Long Island. The organization operates a platform of age-based programs spanning early childhood (ages 3-5), school-age (5-21), and adult services. Core service offerings include Early Childhood Program, School Age Program, Children's Residential Program, Adult Day Services, Adult Residential Services, Self-Direction Program, and Transportation Services. The organization distinguishes itself through an evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach combined with creative, compassionate support methods. As one of Long Island's largest autism and developmental disabilities organizations, Brightway supports over 1,600 individuals with continuity of care from early childhood through adulthood.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program An ABA-based early childhood program for children ages 3–5 with autism and developmental disabilities, focused on early intervention and school readiness.
• School Age Program An educational and behavioral program for school-age participants ages 5–21 with autism and developmental disabilities.
• Children's Residential Program Residential services for children with developmental disabilities, providing 24-hour support in supervised group home settings.
• Adult Day Services Structured daytime programs for adults with developmental disabilities that support skill development, community engagement, and vocational preparation.
• Adult Residential Services Residential support services for adults with developmental disabilities, including supervised and supportive housing options on Long Island.
• Self-Direction Program A self-direction service model that enables individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to design and manage their own supports and services.
• Transportation Services Transportation services provided to program participants to enable access to DDI day, residential, and community-based programs.
• Family Support Services Support services and resources for families of individuals with developmental disabilities, including respite and community-based assistance.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services ABA-based clinical and educational services delivered across all DDI programs to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc New York: Statewide umbrella for The Arc's network of NY chapters providing IDD services. Operates broadly across the same OPWDD-funded service categories as DDI/Brightway and represents the broader network of IDD providers, but as a federation rather than a single direct operator.
• Services for the UnderServed (S:US): Large NYC-area human services nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, and IDD supports. Overlaps with DDI/Brightway on residential and day services for IDD populations, but operates a broader portfolio beyond IDD specialization.

Direct peers

• QSAC (Quality Services for the Autism Community): New York City-based nonprofit serving children and adults with autism across school, residential, day, and family support programs. Direct peer in mission, autism specialization, ABA methodology, and OPWDD funding reliance.
• YAI (Young Adult Institute): One of the largest New York-based nonprofits providing lifespan services for people with IDD and autism, including early intervention, school-age, residential, day, and employment programs. Closest comparable to DDI/Brightway by mission, scale, geography, and OPWDD funding model.
• HeartShare Human Services of New York: Large NYC nonprofit serving people with developmental disabilities, autism, and other challenges through education, residential, day, and family support programs. Highly comparable by funding source (OPWDD/Medicaid), scale, and continuum-of-care model.
• Eden Autism Services: New Jersey-based nonprofit providing lifespan services for individuals with autism and IDD, including early intervention, schools, residential, and adult day programs. Highly comparable in clinical orientation (ABA-led) and lifespan-continuum model.
• AHRC New York City: Large NYC-area nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across residential, day, employment, and family support programs. Directly comparable as a fellow OPWDD-funded continuum-of-care provider with similar population and program mix.
• ADAPT Community Network: NYC-area nonprofit providing residential, day, clinical, and community support services for people with disabilities. Comparable to DDI/Brightway as a fellow OPWDD-funded multi-program provider serving IDD populations across the lifespan.
• Life's WORC: Long Island-based nonprofit providing residential, day, vocational, and family support services to people with developmental disabilities and autism. The closest direct geographic peer to DDI/Brightway on Long Island, operating an overlapping program mix and funding source.

Emerging players

• RHA Health Services: Multi-state provider of IDD, behavioral health, and substance use services with a growing lifespan continuum model similar to DDI/Brightway. Less geographically concentrated and operates across multiple states, making it a comparable but more expansion-oriented peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ddifamily
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@brightwayny
• Facebookfacebook.com/ddifamily
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brightway-living-learning
• Instagraminstagram.com/brightwayny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)