WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Arkansas Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The Division of Developmental disabilities Services (DDS) housed in the Department of Human Services provides an extensive range of services to individuals with developmental disabilities in community settings. The Community Support Section of DDS acts as the entry point for persons interested in services. These services are provided through private, not for profit programs whose service areas include all 75 counties of the state. There are 96 DDS Licensed Providers statewide.

Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
Donaghey Plaza North P.O. Box 1437, Slot N503
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-1437 Phone: 501-682-8665
TDD: 501-682-1332
Fax: 501-682-8380

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

The Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS), also in the Department of Human Services operates a program to assess, plan, develop, and provide vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths and abilities in order to prepare for and engage in gainful employment. ARS operates 20 statewide offices for person with physical, mental, cognitive or sensory disabilities. Persons who wish to apply for services must first contact a rehabilitation counselor. Counselors are assigned to each of the state's 75 counties.

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Central Office
525 Capitol Avenue
P.O. Box 3781
Little Rock, AR 72203

Phone: 501-296-1600 (V/TTY)
Fax: 501-296-1655
TDD: 501-296-1669
Toll Free: 1-800-330-0632

Sheltered Employment

Sheltered workshops in Arkansas are overseen by the Arkansas Career Training Institute. To get information about this comprehensive rehabilitation center, contact:
Arkansas Career Training Institute
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
105 Reserve Avenue
P. O. Box 1358
Hot Springs, AR  71902
Phone:  501-624-4411
Fax:  501-624-0019

A complete listing of vocational rehabilitation services and locations

Competitive Employment

Community providers who serve people with developmental disabilities are licensed or certified by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDS) Licensure Unit. Programs are reviewed periodically to determine compliance with minimum standards. If you have concerns about any of the services being provided by DDS or community providers of DDS services, complaints should be directed to the DDS facility program evaluator who enforces licensure standards at (501) 682-8693 or the local program supervisor. These individuals will inform you of the internal grievance procedure and your rights in that procedure. Efforts are made to settle complaints quickly.

The health and safety of workers in Arkansas are protected by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA enforces workplace safety and health standards by providing safety and health information, training and assistance to workers and employers. OSHA has one area office in the state.

Little Rock Area Office
10810 Executive Center Dr.
Danville Bldg. #2, Ste. 206
Little Rock, Arkansas 72211
Phone: 501-224-1841
Fax: 501-224-4431

Health and Safety

The Arkansas Department of Labor offers free OSHA consultation services. Their purpose is to help businesses meet the OSHA job regulation standards and develop an ongoing effective safety and health program.

Arkansas Department of Labor
OSHA Consultation
10421 West Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Phone: 501-682-4523
Fax: 501-682-4532

Arkansas Occupational Safety and Health (AOSH) enforce health and safety issues affecting state, county and municipal employees. AOSH investigates complaints, accidents and fatalities in public sector workplaces and checks for violations of Arkansas safety and health regulations. Employees of the public sector can call in complaints to the AOSH Compliance Section.

Arkansas Occupational Safety & Health (AOSH)
10421 West Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Phone: 501-682-9091
TDD: 800-285-1131

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Arkansas Adult Protective Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services protects and assists adults, age 18 and older, who are abused, neglected, or exploited, or any combination thereof, and who are endangered as a result of lack of capacity or impaired from mental or physical disease or defect as these terms are defined by Arkansas Statute. Information regarding the reporter of a referral is confidential and will not be revealed.

Division of Aging and Adult Services
Adult Protective Services
P. O. Box 1437-Slot S-530
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
Phone: (501) 682-2441
Fax: (501) 682-8155
The APS Abuse Hotline is available 24 hours a day for statewide reporting: 1-(800) 482-8049.

Protection and Advocacy

Another advocacy source is the Arkansas Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council which supports people with developmental disabilities in achieving independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community through advocating and promoting service systems that enhance their lives.

Arkansas Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council
5800 West 10th Street, Suite 805
Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: 501-661-2589
1-800-462-0599
Fax: 501-661-2399

The Disability Rights Center (DRC) is a private non-profit agency with offices in Little Rock. DRC operates under authority outlined in Federal law and is funded primarily by the Federal government. DRC is authorized to protect human, civil and legal rights of all Arkansans with disabilities consistent with federal law.

Disability Rights Center
1100 North University
Suite 201
Little Rock, AR 72207
Phone: 800-482-1174, 501-296-1775
Fax: 501-296-1779
Email: panda@arkdisabilityrights.org