Journal on Developmental Disabilities: Editorial Policy

The Journal on Developmental Disabilities is published twice yearly by the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD). The Association has established the following objective for the journal:

To foster and promote thoughtful and critical dialogue about relevant issues in the field of developmental disabilities, including those broader social issues that impact on persons with developmental disabilities.

Editorial Policy

Each issue features a selection of research, conceptual, informational, and editorial papers. An issue may have a central theme. Reviews of relevant books, movies, websites, software, and other resources are welcomed, as are letters to the editor. In this way we strive to collectively enrich our understanding of issues, encourage stimulating debate among those working in the field, and improve services.

Submissions are invited in either French or English and, if accepted, will be printed in the language of submission with an abstract in the other language. Submissions must be free of any gender and ethic bias. People-first language (e.g., persons with developmental disabilities) must be used throughout the manuscript (including figures and tables).

Editorial Process

Each submission will undergo a peer review by two or more reviewers (typically from the Board of Editors) with relevant expertise. The authors of the manuscripts will not be identified to the reviewers. The reviewers will recommend for or against publication and provide their reasons. Reviewers are asked to judge the manuscript on several criteria including its contribution to increasing our knowledge and clarity of communication. The reviewers are asked to write in a positive and constructive manner to help the authors improve their work, if necessary. All reviews are completed within two weeks using electronic communication.

The Editor-in-Chief, or guest editor, reserves the final decision regarding publication of a submission. To promote the publication of theme issues, the Editor reserves the right to decide in which issue to publish the article if it had been accepted.

Manuscripts should not be submitted if previously published elsewhere or under review unless explicitly requested by the Editor. Once published, the article becomes the property of OADD. If an author wishes to re-publish materials originally published in the Journal on Developmental Disabilities, written permission is required from OADD. To re-publish previously published material in this journal, written permission must be obtained from the person or organization holding the copyright to the original material.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities / L'association ontarienne sur les handicaps du développement.

Futher Information

For information about membership, journal subscription, and individual issue purchases, please contact:

The Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities /
L'association ontarienne sur les handicaps du développement
2 Surrey Place
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2C2