APPENDIX A
MEANING OF COMMON TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS
The Developmental Disabilities (DD) system, as most, uses many special terms and has an alphabet soup of abbreviations which convey information to insiders. This memo is intended to assist consumers, families, and advocates in understanding the lingo.
Area Boards are part of the State Council on Developmental
Disabilities. There are 13 in the state, each covering a specific geographical
area. Area Boards protect and advocate for the civil, legal, and service rights
of persons with developmental disabilities who reside in their area and seek to
ensure that the supports and services they receive are of the highest possible
quality.
Each Area Board is composed of 12-17 members appointed by
the
A group of skills that include communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health, and safety skills.
Various routine activities that are performed day to day, such as putting on clothes, preparing meals, household chores, working at a job, going to school, and using transportation to get from one place to another, etc.
The act of actively representing and supporting your own or another person’s interests and welfare in getting access to needed services and supports.
The right to a continuation of services pending an administrative fair hearing decision. This right is secured by filing for an administrative hearing within ten days of receiving written notice from a regional or state developmental center saying that a service will be reduced or terminated. § 4715
Refers to the characteristics of consumers a facility can serve. Under fire marshal regulations, people with DD are viewed as non-ambulatory even if they can walk if they cannot leave a facility with only a verbal prompt in an emergency, e.g., due to cognitive deficits.
In this manual, the formal administrative appeal process used to challenge a regional center or developmental center decision to deny or reduce services. It consists of the informal meeting (optional), mediation (optional) and the state-level fair hearing. § 4701, et seq. See Chapter 12.
An association of the twenty-one regional centers which negotiates contract provisions with DDS and takes policy and legislative positions on behalf of all the regional centers.
Rate system established pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 4681.1 for CCFs serving people with DD.
A procedure used to identify unique strengths and needs of an individual and the services appropriate to meet those needs. It can consist of observations, review of records and the use of formal test instruments. An initial assessment to determine eligibility for regional center services must be completed within 120 days following initial intake or within 60 days if further delay may lead to unnecessary risk to the health and safety of the consumer. § 4643(a).
Simple to complex items or equipment that help a person lead a more normal and productive life.
A person who has the authority to advocate for a consumer.
This person can be the parent or guardian of a minor, conservator of an adult
or person either chosen and appointed by a consumer or appointed by the Area
Board on behalf of the consumer. §§ 4548(d), 4701.6, 4705(e).
See Chapter Two, Question 8.
Services and techniques that are specifically used to help a person change or adapt behavior and conduct to protect his or her safety, the safety of others, and to improve skills.
Planned statewide computerized database intended to
coordinate all regional center and DDS data collection. As of 2006, CADDIS
implementation is substantially delayed. The delays are costly and are also
resulting in a delay in self-directed services implementation.
The responsibility of the regional center to actively assist the consumer in program planning and locating and securing necessary services usually a regional center employee is responsible for service coordination but if approved by the regional center, a consumer, consumer’s parent, legal guardian, or conservator can also serve as a service coordinator instead of the service coordinator at the regional center. Also called a “case manager” or “CPC.” § 4647.
The geographic area within which a regional center provides services as specified in its contract with the Department of Developmental Services.
There are many types of CCFs both residential (group homes) and non-residential (day programs). All CCFs are licensed by the Community Care division of the Department of Social Services. CCF Residences are for groups of people that do not need the medical care provided in Health Services licensed facilities. Rates for CCFs serving RC consumers are usually set by DDS though in some cases rates are negotiated by regional centers. See Chapter 7.
A tool that records information about a consumer’s disability, level of functioning and deficits, including behavioral problems. Each consumer’s CDER is supposed to be updated at the time of the IPP. Computerized CDER data can be accessed without individual’s names to give a picture of consumer characteristics across the state or in one type of service model.
See Chapter 2, Question 7.
The State agency which oversees the administration of the
Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Department of Health Services (California’s
single State agency under Title XIX of the Social Security Act), the Department
of Mental Health and other departments. Together the departments under CHHSA
are responsible for the direction and administration of long-term care
services, both institutional and community-based, for Californians with all
disabilities.
An informal but identifiable and reliable group of people who meet and communicate regularly with a person with developmental disabilities to offer assistance in establishing and maintaining natural supports and in carrying out some IPP goals and objectives. Circle of support members do not receive compensation. § 4512(f).
Computerized database maintained by DDS.
The federal agency that oversees Medicaid funding to the States. Medicaid provides reimbursements to the State for a variety of services and supports for people with DD through MediCal and through Home and Community Based Waivers. See Appendix D for DD Waiver information.
As defined by regulation, the ability of a person to solve problems with insight, to adapt to new situations, to think abstractly and to profit from experience. 17 CCR § 54002.
A concept that reflects the practice of sharing in
community life involving at least these four aspects (1) physical presence
where the individual actually lives in a typical community setting (house,
apartment etc.) vs. an isolated setting such as an institution or a nursing
home, (2) cultural integration where the individual exhibits locally valued
lifestyles and roles (e.g., farm hand in a rural community; condominium or home
owner; church or association member), (3) connections to others who are not
paid as supporters. These connections include a variety of reciprocal
relationships like friend, coworker, neighbor, spouse, etc.) and (4)
self-determination.
A concept of having people with disabilities live, work and
recreate in the same places as people without disabilities. Being physically
present in naturally occurring communities. Community integration is one part
of community inclusion, in which people with disabilities interact in
meaningful ways with people without disabilities, such as developing
friendships, participating as coworkers, participating as members of community
associations and boards, and being good neighbors. Community integration is an
essential ingredient to inclusion, however, sometimes additional supports are
needed to assist people with developmental disabilities fully participate as
members of their communities.
Spending time participating in community life, such as
supporting local businesses, joining and participating in local clubs or
associations, volunteering for community projects or activities, and using the
community doctors and dentists for your health care.
Work performed in the open market by anyone who does not need the assistance of others, such as a job coach, to do the job.
A legal proceeding in which an individual or agency (the
"conservator") is appointed by a court to be responsible for a person
who needs assistance in activities of daily living (the
"conservatee"). A conservator of the person must ensure that the
conservatee is properly fed, clothed and housed. A conservator of the estate is
responsible for managing the conservatee's money and other property. One
individual may serve as either conservator of the person or conservator of the
estate or both. Conservatorship applies to an adult, i.e., a person 18 years of
age or older.
Limited conservatorship is a form of general conservatorship
and applies only to adults who have a "developmental disability" as
defined in state law, and who are, or could be, regional center clients. This
protective legal arrangement is "limited" because the adult with
developmental disabilities retains the power to care for himself or herself
and/or to manage his or her financial resources commensurate with his or her
ability to do so, as determined by the court. A limited conservatorship is used
to promote and protect the well-being of the individual and is designed to
encourage the development of maximum self-reliance and independence.
Lanterman Act term for people with developmental disabilities who are receiving regional center services § 4512(d).
One name for regional center (RC) service coordinators who are also sometimes called case managers. § 4647.
Each regional center (RC) develops a CPP annually with goals for its activities to assist consumers to move out of or be deflected from admission to developmental centers (DC). The CPPs are approved by DDS. The annual budget includes designated funding for the CPP. § 4418.25.
CRAs are responsible for ensuring that the civil, legal and
service rights of people with developmental disabilities who receive services
from regional centers or reside in developmental centers (DC) are
protected. CRA’s provide a variety of
individual advocacy services. There is at least one CRA serving the consumers
of each regional center and each DC.
Since July 1999, CRA’s have been independent from the regional or developmental center. The regional center CRAs and CRA Assistants/Associates work for PAI’s Office of Clients Rights Advocacy (OCRA). The developmental center CRAs work for the Area Boards. § 4433.
See Appendix Z for contact information for OCRA advocates serving each regional center’s consumers and Appendix BB for contact information for the CRAs serving DC residents.
Services that try to resolve a significant problem to help consumers remain in their living arrangements. Such services can include mental health and behavior modification services, short-term residential services, or supplemental staffing. §§ 4648(a)(9)(a), (10).
Term for regional center staff who are designated to act as the service coordinators for the regional center’s consumers who reside in developmental centers.
State operated institutions for people with developmental disabilities as of 2006. There are 5 older and 2 newer state operated institutions.
|
|
|
Population
August 2006 |
|
ADC or Agnews Slated to close in 2008 with almost all residents moving
to community homes. |
|
269 people |
|
SDC or |
|
726 people |
|
FDC or |
|
616 people |
|
LDC or Lanterman |
|
522 people |
|
PDC or Secure Treatment Area (STA) houses consumers labeled as
forensic by DDS. STA is separated from
the general population units at PDC by a fence. |
|
697people |
|
Sierra Vista |
Sutter County |
47 people |
|
Canyon Springs |
Riverside County |
46 people |
In
The federal definition of developmental disability is
broader and is functionally based with no special diagnosis required. Under
federal law, a developmental disability is a disability which manifests before
an individual attains age 22, is severe and chronic and likely to continue
indefinitely, and results in substantial functional limitations in three or
more areas of major life activity.
Children nine or younger are also considered developmentally disabled if
they have a condition with a high probability of resulting in a developmental
disability if services are not provided.
The state department charged with the implementation and
administration of the Lanterman Act and with the mandatory duty of ensuring
that, pursuant to the Act, living arrangements, services and supports for
Californians with developmental disabilities are provided in the least
restrictive, most integrated setting for each individual. DDS operates and
administers
The state department which is the single State agency
responsible for administration of all aspects of the Medicaid program, called
Medi-Cal in
DHS Licensing Division is responsible for licensing and
monitoring all of the Intermediate Care facilities: ICF-DDs, ICF-DD/Hs,
ICF-DD/Ns and ICF-DD/CNs. DHS also licenses and monitors nursing facilities.
DHS monitors the developmental center units.
The state department responsible for overseeing services to
persons with psychiatric disabilities. DMH has responsibilities under the
Lanterman Act to ensure that the needs of people with developmental
disabilities who also have psychiatric disabilities or mental health services
needs (people with dual diagnoses) are met, including responsibility for
collaborating with DDS to ensure the provision of such services.
The state department with the authority to approve, revise,
alter or amend the budget of any State agency, including CHHSA, DHS, Department
of Mental Health (DMH) and DDS, prior to enactment of the fiscal year
appropriation, has the authority to approve budget augmentations and has
oversight responsibility with respect to any regulation promulgated with a
financial impact.
The state department responsible for the provision of
vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabilities. Such services
can lead to competitive employment. For people with developmental disabilities
DOR can provide short term supported work services and other supports. See Chapter 8.
This manual contains the descriptions and diagnostic criteria of “mental disorders” such as mental retardation, autism and psychiatric conditions.
The state department responsible for oversight of
Refers to individuals with developmental disabilities who also have psychiatric disabilities. See Chapter 10.
Services that must be provided or purchased by a regional center in order to protect a consumer from immediate danger to his/her physical or mental health or safety. Emergency services must also be provided to help consumers stay in their living arrangements. §§ 4418.7, 4648(a)(10).
See Chapter Two, Question 9.
The use of modified or adapted materials, special instructions, equipment or personal assistance by an individual, such as assistance with communication, which will enable a consumer to understand and participate to the maximum extent possible in the decisions and choices which effect his or her life. § 4512(g).
Under the Lanterman Act, an administrative hearing before an administrative law judge. In the fair hearing, the consumer and regional center will each get a chance to submit evidence, tell their side of the dispute and the administrative law judge will apply the laws of the Lanterman Act to make a decision. § 4700 et seq. See Chapter 12.
The services and supports that are provided to a child with developmental disabilities or his or her family that contribute to the ability of the family to live together and help families care for their children with developmental disabilities. §§ 4512(h), 4685.
An FFA home placement is not like traditional foster care,
as the foster family is certified by the FFA and has training and supports from
the FFA to help a child who has special needs because of a developmental
disability. Licensed by DSS. § 17710(i)(3).
A private not-for-profit agency that is vendored by a regional center to do all of the following: 1) recruit, approve, train, and monitor family home providers who support adults with developmental disabilities; 2) provide services and supports to family home providers; and 3) assist consumers in moving into or relocating from family homes. § 4689.1.
People can be considered to have a developmental disability
when they have a condition closely related to mental retardation OR require treatment similar to mental
retardation. See Chapter 2, Question 10.
A term generally used to indicate individuals who have had some involvement with the criminal justice system.
In the regional center system, a family that receives special training and ongoing assistance and agrees to provide a residence and support for a child in their home.
Services provided by an agency which has a legal responsibility to serve all members of the general public and is receiving public funds for providing such services. § 4644 (b). A regional center is required to assist consumers to obtain necessary services from a “generic agency” prior to purchasing similar services itself. However, regional centers can be expected to purchase services while assisting the consumer to qualify for or obtain generic services.
This term is often used loosely to refer to any small group living arrangement for people with DD no matter the age of the residents or type of facility. However “group home” is the legal name only for a Community Care licensed residential home for adults with six or fewer residents. Other small group living arrangements have other technical names. See Chapter 7.
Waivers are federal Medicaid funding streams that states
can access to obtain reimbursement for community-based services such as
supported living and supported employment.
Some consumers are on the waiver and some are not. This should not affect the services a consumer receives. Consumers on the waiver must have an IPP meeting every year. A fair hearing decision that affects waiver services may be reviewed by the State Department of Health Services and can be changed.
Commonly used phrase for the group of people who come to
the meeting for the purpose of preparing a consumer’s IPP. It is more often
used in the developmental centers where many professionals attend IPPs. This
phrase is now replaced by “planning team” in the law. § 4512(j).
An IEP is an Individualized Education Program, which sets
forth in writing the educational program for the student. The IEP is developed
at an IEP meeting by a team of people that must include the parent/s, a special
education teacher, a regular education teacher if appropriate, a district
representative or school administrator and the student if appropriate. For more
information about IEPs, see Chapter 1 of PAI’s publication Special Education Rights and Responsibilities at http://www.pai-ca.org/PUBS/504001SpecEdIndex.htm.
A written plan for providing early intervention services to
infants or toddlers and their families who have been determined eligible for
early intervention services. For more information about IFSPs, see Chapter 12
of PAI’s publication Special Education
Rights and Responsibilities at http://www.pai-ca.org/PUBS/504001SpecEdIndex.htm.
A community-based program that provides for adult consumers the functional self-help skills training necessary to secure a self-sustaining, independent living situation in the community and/or provides the support necessary to maintain those skills.
ILS provides two types of services. ILS training provides
assistance to learn the skills you need to live independently in the community,
such as cooking, cleaning, grooming, and money management. Ongoing ILS services
can also be provided if you have basic self-help skills but need minimal
ongoing assistance to maintain your living arrangement.
See Community Integration above.
Residential health facilities of different sizes and offering different services for people with DD which are licensed and monitored by DHS. See Chapter 7 for more details. The term ICF-MR or Intermediate Care Facility Mentally Retarded is used by the federal CMS to cover all ICFs.
Title of DC staff responsible for calling and coordinating
residents' IPPs.
A written plan jointly developed by a consumer’s planning
team at the team meeting that reflects the agreed-upon goals and objectives for
the consumer and the services and supports he or she chooses and needs. §§ 4646,
4646.5.
The set of laws in
A group of disabilities that interferes with the ability to learn new academic skills so that a person does not perform certain skills as well as would be expected given his or her intelligence. For example, dyslexia makes reading difficult, which in turn makes learning from written materials difficult.
An adult who has been given the legal right by a court to control and care for a minor and/or the minor’s property. Someone who looks after a minor’s property is called a “guardian of the estate.” A person who has legal authority to make personal decisions for the minor, including responsibility for his or her physical, medical and educational needs, is called a “guardian of the person.”
LQAs are interviews conducted by Area Board staff and volunteers using the “Looking at Life Quality Handbook” with regional center consumers who live outside their families’ home. The intervenors are done every three years before the persons IPP and are intended to assist the person and their RC in the planning process. § 4570.
A mandate established by federal and state laws and the
courts that states that all people, regardless of disability, have the right to
be served in ways and in places that allow them to achieve the most
independent, productive and normal lives possible in the most integrated and
inclusive settings consistent with their needs.
A process through which two parties who disagree get
assistance from a third party, a mediator, to try to reach an agreement.
Mediation is an optional step in the regional center appeal process. § 4707.
See Chapter 12.
A program for low-income people jointly funded by the federal government and the state which provides medically necessary health care services to people who qualify.
A health insurance program for people who qualify for social security disability payments and their dependents.
See Chapter 2, Question 6.
Individually planned activities and instruction to enable
adults with developmental disabilities to use the most independent
transportation modes possible.
Personal associations and relationships typically developed in the family and community that enhance or maintain the quality and security of life for people with disabilities. § 4512(e).
Is a program of PAI and hires the CRAs who provide legal advocacy for consumers at each regional center. See Appendix Z for a list of CRAs statewide.
PAI is a nonprofit agency that works with people with
disabilities – to protect, advocate for and advance their human and legal
rights. PAI strives to create a barrier-free, inclusive society that values
diversity and each individual. PAI began protecting the rights of Californians
with disabilities in 1978. PAI now provides advocacy services to people with
disabilities under seven federal statutes and two state contracts, including
OCRA.
A self advocacy organization of people with developmental
disabilities. In
The IPP process must be person-centered, which means that
it must focus on you and your choices, preferences, and needs. Person-centered
planning is an approach to working toward the future you want for yourself. §
4646 (a).
Federal funds that can be used to start new services or provide grants for projects. These funds are primarily under the control of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. § 4677.
The individual with developmental disabilities, the parents or legally appointed guardian of a minor consumer, or the legally appointed conservator of an adult consumer, one or more regional center representatives, including the designated regional center service coordinator, and any individual, including a service provider, invited by the consumer, the parents or legally appointed guardian of a minor consumer, or the legally appointed conservator of an adult consumer. The planning team is the only entity empowered to develop a consumer’s IPP and authorize the provision of services. § 4512(j).
POS funds are allocated to each regional center in its
contract with DDS and used to purchase services, including residential
services, for consumers from vendors.
POS Policies or Guidelines have been developed by most regional centers (RCs) and act as a means of controlling the types and amounts of services the RC approves at a consumer's IPP. POS policies often seek to set eligibility requirements for certain supports and establish the amount of certain services the RC will authorize. However, POS policies are illegal if they establish firm limits on services as that violates consumer’s legal right to services that are individually planned to meet their needs. At a minimum all POS policies need to have an exception clause/policy so that services can be individualized and be decided upon at your IPP meeting. See Chapter 4.
A licensed physician who has specialized training and/or experience in treating psychiatric disorders.
A licensed person who has a doctorate degree in psychology and has at least two years of clinical experience in a multidisciplinary health care facility.
A private nonprofit community agency established under the Lanterman Act that has contracted with DDS to provide evaluations, service coordination and purchases services for people with developmental disabilities and their families. §§ 4620 et seq.
There are 21 in
ACRC Alta California Regional Center
CVRC Central Valley Regional Center
ELARC Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center
FNRC Far
Northern
FDLRC
GGRC
HRC
IRC
KRC
NBRC
NLACRC
RCRC
RCEB
RCOC
SARC San Andreas Regional Center
SDRC
SGPRC San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center
SCLARC
TCRC
VMRC
WRC
A set of rules and guidelines that are properly established and enforced by a government agency to carry out the meaning and definition of certain laws.
In order for a regional center to complete an assessment on a client, it will need to get access to various kinds of documents and medical, psychological, and academic records. Because these records are private and confidential, the regional center needs the consumer (or parent, conservator, or legal guardian, where appropriate) to sign a release, which shows that it has the consumer’s permission to view and obtain copies of the records and documents.
Intermittent or regularly scheduled temporary non-medical
care and supervision designed to do the following: 1) assist family members in
maintaining the consumer at home; 2) provide appropriate care and supervision
to protect the consumer’s safety in the absence of family members; 3) relieve
family members from the constantly demanding responsibility of caring for a
consumer; and 4) attend to the consumer’s basic self-help needs and other
activities of daily living, including interaction, socialization, and
continuation of usual daily routines which would ordinarily be performed by the
family member. § 4690.2. See Chapter 6.
RRDPs are entities of the Department of Developmental Services that assist in deflecting individuals from placement in developmental centers (DCs) pursuant to § 4418.7; admitting people to DCs pursuant to § 4418.7; providing information on community options including visits to a variety of community living arrangements for DC residents pursuant to § 4418.3 (d); and participating in the transition process for DC residents moving to the community pursuant to § 4418.3. See Appendix CC for complete listings of RRDPs. There are seven RRDPs as follows (five RRDPs are located at the five older DCs):
Delta Regional Project (
Lanterman Regional Project (
RPBA or Regional Project of the Bay Area (Agnews DC)
SCRP or
Westlake Regional Project (
An independent state agency established in federal and
state law to assist in planning, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating
services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Federal law requires the Council to identify ways to
improve and increase services for individuals with DD and their families, and
to submit these to the federal government in the form of a State Plan.
Under state law, the Council has the responsibility to
research and recognize gaps in the service delivery system for people with
developmental disabilities and make recommendations to DDS for the means of
securing the needed services. The Council also uses its federal resources to
make grants for the development of new services or for self-advocacy projects.
§§ 4520-4568.
The Self-Directed Services (SDS) Program is a new service delivery model designed to provide participants with more opportunities for inclusive community living. It differs from the traditional service model in that it provides participants with the ability to direct an annual individual budget with an established amount of money to purchase services that are defined in their IPP. It provides participants with greater freedom and more control over decisions necessary to meet their IPP objectives. See Chapter 11 and DDS’ “Self-Directed Services Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)” at www.dds.cahwnet.gov/SDPP/pdf/FAQ_03_05.pdf.
The awareness, motivation and ability of an individual to represent and communicate his or her own interests, to exercise personal choice, and to exert control over his or her environment.
An inability to use one or more of the five senses of the human body, such as the ability to see, hear, touch, taste, or smell.
The responsibility of the regional center to actively assist the consumer in program planning and in locating and securing necessary services. The service coordinator is the person who has responsibility for implementing and monitoring the services identified in the Individual Program Plan. Usually a regional center employee is responsible for service coordination, but if approved by the regional center a consumer, consumer’s parent, legal guardian, or conservator can also serve as a service coordinator instead of the service coordinator at the regional center. Also called a “case manager” or “CPC.” § 4647.
Self-determination is the right of people with disabilities
to make choices about their own lives, to have the same rights and
responsibilities as everyone else, and to speak and advocate for themselves.
A person’s supported living services plus any other
supports such as a day program the person receives.
Supported Living Services allow adults with developmental
disabilities to live in a house or apartment they own or rent, with supports
available as often and for as long as needed. A range of services and supports
is available to enable an adult consumer to live in his or her own home,
including but not limited to social, behavioral, and daily living skills training
and support, assistance in finding, modifying and maintaining a home, paid
neighbors and paid roommates. There are principles for SLS that focus on normal
lives and community inclusion. Supported Living Services (SLS) is a
comprehensive service that addresses the “big picture” of your life. § 4689.
See Chapter 7.
A skilled nursing facility is an institutional facility
that provides skilled nursing care on an extended basis. Health & Safety
Code § 1250.
A
A need-based program through the Social Security Administration for low-income people with disabilities or people over the age of sixty-five that provides a cash grant to meet basic food, clothing and shelter needs.
Statewide organizations representing the interests of consumers, family members, service providers and statewide advocacy organizations. § 4512(k).
A law passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. The Lanterman Act is a set of statutes all having to do with the services and rights guaranteed to people with developmental disabilities.
A condition which results in major impairment of cognitive
and/or social functioning. It also represents a condition of sufficient
impairment to require interdisciplinary planning and coordination of special or
generic services to assist the individual in achieving maximum potential.
An individual or entity that has been determined by a regional center to meet the qualifications and requirements necessary to provide services at regional center expense to consumers. § 4648(a)(3)A).
The process used by regional centers to 1) verify that an applicant to provide services to consumers meets all of the requirements and standards established in regulation, and 2) assign vendor identification numbers, service codes and subcodes for the purpose of identifying vendor expenditures. § 4648(a)(e)(A). This process enables vendors to receive payment for services provided to consumers.
A payment, coupon or other form of written authorization issued by a regional center and given to a consumer or family member. A voucher is issued so that a consumer or family member can choose his or her own service provider for the particular service (such as respite or day care) for which the voucher was issued. § 4512(i).
The section of
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[1]All references in this Appendix are to the Lanterman Act unless it says otherwise. The § symbol means “section.”