What We Do
What We Do
DRSD assists South Dakotans who have a disability and have concerns about their legal rights. DRSD accomplishes this through information and referral, individual advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, and administrative or legal remedies.
Our services are based on program eligibility as well as annual goals and priorities approved by the DRSD Board of Directors. Typical priority areas include:
Individual Case Services
- Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation investigations
- Rights Protections
- Special Education
- Assistance with Vocational Rehabilitation, Human Services Center, SD Developmental Center, Mental Health Facilities, Community Service Providers, and others
- Community and workplace integration
- Employment (disability) discrimination
- Limiting Guardianship or advocating for alternatives to guardianship
- Accessing Assistive Technology
Systemic Activity
- Institutional Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation
- Monitoring of service providers
- Voter registration and voting accessibility
- Community and workplace integration
- Employment (disability) discrimination
- Limiting Guardianship or advocating for alternatives to guardianship
- Investigations
- Education, Training, & Self-Advocacy Supports
What We Don't Do
Federal guidelines limit areas where we can open cases. If you are in need of help with the following issues, you are encouraged to call DRSD for information or referral to other resources appropriate for assistance.
- Social Security applications or appeals
- Food stamp applications/claims
- Criminal proceedings of any kind
- Divorce, custody, or child support
- Wills, trusts, or estate planning
- Workers compensation
- Product liability cases
- Bankruptcy
- Personal injury
- Consumer protection
- Tax law
- Property law
- Commitment proceedings
- Obtaining Guardianship for a person with a disability