Programs & Services

Our focus is on assisting people with disabilities, regardless of type: Physical, visual, auditory, cognitive, or mental/emotional. Through our Access to Independence program, our staff works to alleviate the stressful conditions in which our consumers live. The result: People lead more productive and self-directed lives with increased dignity, quality of life and independence at home and in society.

Assistance takes many forms, but focusing on people with disabilities, providing peer support, developing self-advocacy skills and ensuring consumer-control in the decision-making process are a combination not found in other human services programs in our area.

In FY 2015-2016, DRS assisted over 6,000 unduplicated individuals. Of the nearly 500 with complex on-going needs, 97% were people living below the poverty level. This is because most rely on government assistance to meet their basic needs. Unfortunately, living with a disability (and often more than one) results in added expenses relative to medical needs associated with a disabling condition such as medications, equipment, supplies, special foods, home modifications and health care services.

All too frequently clients’ fixed incomes fall short of even meeting the basic needs of food and shelter. However, through our Access to Independence program, DRS staff members work to alleviate the stressful conditions in which our clients live. The result: Men and women who lead more productive and self-directed lives, live with increased dignity, quality of life and independence at home and in society.