Assisting People with Disabilities and their Families in South Carolina
The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, as defined in the South Carolina Code of Law, serves persons with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury and conditions related to each of these four disabilities.
People with disabilities are unique, each with his/her own needs, wants, desires, goals and dreams. Generally, they want the same things from life we all do – an interesting and meaningful daily life; close relationships with others; opportunities to socialize, enjoy recreation and develop their talents and abilities; a chance to realize their dreams; to be a part of and contribute to their communities; and to feel that they are valuable and important.
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is the state agency that plans, develops, coordinates and funds services for South Carolinians with the severe, lifelong disabilities of:
- intellectual disability and related disabilities
- autism spectrum disorder
- traumatic brain injury
- spinal cord injury and similar disability
While DDSN provides services that address these specific disabilities, we recognize that consumers may routinely need services provided by other state agencies – such as education, public health, mental health, housing, and social services.
DDSN works with other state agencies to coordinate, arrange for and deliver services to eligible persons. DDSN’s specialized services supplement and enhance, not replace, services provided by other state agencies.
DDSN also advocates on behalf of all citizens with severe, lifelong disabilities and special needs to ensure that their needs are addressed by the appropriate state, federal and local agencies.
DDSN provides services to the majority of eligible individuals in their home communities through contracts with local service-provider agencies. Many of these agencies are called Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN) Boards, and they serve every county in South Carolina. There are also other qualified service providers available in many locations around the state.
For More Information: https://ddsn.sc.gov 888-376-4636
