Developmental Disabilities

Alaska Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The role of the Developmental Disabilities Program within the Alaska Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS) provides oversight of the service system that supports individuals with disabilities and their families. The role of the Developmental Disabilities Program is to 1) maintain and promote the program in public policy making; 2) make the best use and account for public funds; 3) develop provider capacity to include people with developmental disabilities in their communities; 4) set and monitor standards for individualized community-based services; and 5) resolve disputes. For information on who is eligible for services or for more information about the services provided call or write.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provides a variety of specialized services to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. Individuals with disabilities and DVR Counselors will work as equal partners throughout the rehabilitation process. You must have a written plan called an Individualized plan for employment (IPE) to get the services you need. It describes the steps you will take to meet your work goal. Your counselor can help you with this.

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 Alaska Department of Workforce Development.

Competitive Employment

The Anchorage Employer Partnership (AEP) provides an alliance between employers and specialized employment services in Alaska. The AEP assists employers in locating and recruiting qualified workers with disabilities. Some employers may hire one individual from Vocational Rehabilitation; others develop long-term relationships. The goal is to provide a place where individuals with disabilities may try out the typical duties of a work place. Individuals may be looking to increase their marketable work skills, gain some non-paid work experience or explore if the identified job is a good job match.

Health and Safety

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development consultation activities are available at no charge to any business with one or more employees through the State.

The Occupational Safety and Health Section of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development , Division of Labor Standards and Safety, aims to protect Alaska workers from industrial accidents and job-related illness through the enforcement of state and federal standards, and by training employers and employees to follow safe and health work practices.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

People can report any incident in which a vulnerable adult suffers harm from abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect or self-neglect. Reports should be made to the central reporting number for the Adult Protective Services within 24 hours at 1-800-478-9996. Reports can be made to local law enforcement agencies in the event that a report cannot be made to APS.

Protection and Advocacy

Another advocacy source is the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education. The Council uses planning, capacity building, systems change, and advocacy to create changes for people with disabilities. Consistent with the State Plan, the Council works towards systems change in areas including housing, employment, early intervention, special education, lifelong learning, independent living and inclusion in the community. For further information, contact:

The Disability Law Center (DLC) is an independent non-profit organization that provides legal advocacy services for people with disabilities anywhere in Alaska. DLC is designated under federal law as the State of Alaska's "Protection and Advocacy" agency. Within available resources and consistent with agency priorities and case selection factors, the DLC will: respond to complaints of abuse, neglect or denial of rights; provide self-advocacy training and education for consumers, family members, service delivery professionals, constituency groups, and the community; intervene or assist individuals to advocate for their own rights; provide legal representation if the problem cannot be resolved using other strategies; organize workshops and distribute materials on legal rights, special education, public benefits and other topics; provide information on the rights of people with physical and/or mental disabilities and make referrals when appropriate.