WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Iowa Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The Division of Mental Health and Disability Services, Iowa Department of Human Services provides leadership and sets the direction of state policy for the system of mental health and disability services for the State of Iowa. The Division is responsible for planning, coordinating, and improving mental health and disability services. The Division engages in a wide variety of activities that promote a well-coordinated statewide system of high quality disability related services and supports. For information on who is eligible for services or for more information about the services provided call or write:

Division of Mental Health and Disability Services
Iowa Department of Human Services
5th Floor, Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0114
Phone: 515-281-5521
Fax: 515-242-6036

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

The Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services works for and with individuals who have disabilities to achieve their employment, independence and economic goals. The Disability Determination Services Bureau is responsible for determining the eligibility of Iowa residents who apply for disability benefits; the Rehabilitation Services Bureau assists eligible individuals with disabilities to become employment. Persons who receive vocational rehabilitation services have a wide range of disabilities.

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
510 East 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0240
Voice/TTY: 515-281-4211
Fax: 515-281-7645

In Iowa, the Division of Persons with Disabilities, Department of Human Rights, operates the Client Assistance Program (CAP), a federally funded grant program. Services include advising and informing clients and applicants of all services and benefits available to them through programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended; assisting and advocating for clients and applicants in their relationships with programs authorized under the Act; and informing individuals with disabilities in the State of Iowa, especially those who have traditionally been unserved or underserved, of the services available to them under the Act and under Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Iowa Division of Persons with Disabilities
Client Assistance Program
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-242-6172
Voice/TTY) 888-219-0471
Fax: 515-242-6119

The Division of Persons with Disabilities is an agency located within the Department of Human Rights. It exists to promote the employment of Iowans with disabilities and to reduce barriers to employment by providing information, referral, assessment and guidance, training, and negotiation services to employers and citizens with disabilities. To learn more about the programs of the Iowa Division of Persons with Disabilities, write or call:

Iowa Division of Persons with Disabilities
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-242-6172
Voice/TTY) 888-219-0471
Fax: 515-242-6119

Sheltered Employment

Sheltered employment or community rehabilitation programs are services which provide a controlled and protected environment, additional supervision and other supports for individuals engaged in remunerative work either in a sheltered workshop or in the community. These service options are available for clients of the Iowa Workforce Development.

Iowa Workforce Development
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319-0209
Phone: 515-281-5387 or
800-562-4692
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Use Relay 711

Competitive Employment

Iowa Workforce Development recognizes the differing needs of Iowans when attempting to secure gainful employment. A wide range of programs are available for those new to Iowa, individuals with disabilities or other employment barriers, and older Iowans to name a few. The Workforce partners have developed information and resources designed to facilitate the matching of Iowans with disabilities and employers. One of these unique resources is the Disability Program Navigator.

Iowa Workforce Development
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319-0209
Phone: 515-281-5387 or
800-562-4692
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Use Relay 711

Health and Safety

The consultation activities are available at no charge to any business with one or more employees through the State. One of the Iowa OSHA consultation's goals is to reduce the incidence of injury or illness to workers by enhancing the employer's ability to identify and control safety and health hazards.

Iowa Workforce Development
Division of Labor Services
IOSH Consultation and Education
1000 E Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-7629
Fax: 515-281-5522

The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health (IOSHA) applies OSHA standards as adopted by Iowa Workforce Development, Division of Labor. This agency investigates safety and health complaints in construction and general industry and performs general scheduled inspections. Iowa OSHA follows federal OSHA's Compliance Letters, Memos, Instructions and Directives as guidelines to provide assistance to compliance officers, employers and employees on the enforcement of OSHA standards.

Iowa Workforce Development
Iowa Division of Labor Services
Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement
1000 E Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0209
Phone: 515-242-5870
Fax: 515-281-7995

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

The Dependent Adult Abuse program, Iowa Department of Human Services, provides evaluations and assessments of alleged abused dependent adults. The program attempts to provide services and makes referrals to assist abused dependent adults acquire safe living arrangements. Protective Service Units are available in all Department of Human Services County offices. People can report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of Iowa's vulnerable adults, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the hotline number: 800-362-2178.

Program Manager
Dependent Adult Abuse Program
Iowa Department of Human Services
Hoover Building, 1305 Walnut
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0114
Phone: 515-242-6021

Protection and Advocacy

Another advocacy source is the Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council. The Council identifies, develops and promotes public policy and support practices through capacity building, advocacy, and systems change activities. The purpose is to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families are included in planning, decision making, and development of policy related to services and supports that affect their quality of life and full participation in communities of their choice.

Governor's DD Council
617 E. Second Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-281-9082
TTY/Voice: 800-452-1936
Fax: 515-281-9087

Disability Rights Iowa is a federally funded program that will protect and advocate for the human and legal rights that ensure individuals with disabilities and/or mental illness a free, appropriate public education, employment opportunities and residence or treatment in the least restrictive environment or method and for freedom from stigma. Iowa Protection and advocacy Services will support people with disabilities to secure their rights and full participation as citizens through a program of self advocacy, education, information and referral, non-legal advocacy and legal and systems advocacy.

Disability Rights Iowa
400 East Court Avenue, Suite 300
West Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515-278-2502
Toll Free: 800-779-2502
Fax: 515-278-0539
TTY: 515-278-0571
Toll-Free TTY: 866-483-3342