Meeting needs…
Pursuing life goals…
& Exploring possibilities
We're Excited To Help
We work with YOU to identify your Individualized needs. Then... We develop a Comprehensive, Individualized plan to help to meet your needs.
The Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board supports people with autism, intellectual disabilities and related disabilities, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and similar disabilities and promotes their pursuit of life goals and their presence, participation, and inclusion in the community.
The Board believes that people with disabilities and special needs are vital and integral members of our community who, with proper support, can determine their own futures. In addition, the Board considers opportunities in the areas of self-determination key to the ability to choose one’s own future.
We give you both
quality care & a comprehensive array of services.
Helping families for over 30 years.
Introduction
The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) was created July 3, 1993 by combining the SC Department of Mental Retardation with programs for individuals with autism. New responsibilities also were added to provide services for survivors of head and spinal cord injuries. Now DDSN provides services to people with autism; head injuries, spinal cord injuries and similar disabilities; and intellectual disability and related disabilities.
People with disabilities often need many of the services that other state agencies provide to people without disabilities. We provide services that address disability issues in addition to other issues. We recognize that people with disabilities may need the same services that all South Carolinians have a right to receive, such as educational services, medical services, mental health services, social services, public health services, housing and other services. We help to research and access services and supports needed by people with disabilities and special needs for which they are eligible.
Additionally, people with disabilities usually have needs that go beyond the services typically provided by state agencies. They may need unique, specialized services provided by various disability experts. Our specialized disability services supplement and enhance, not replace, services provided by other agencies.
Our agency advocates on behalf of all citizens with disabilities and special needs to ensure their needs are addressed. We develop a individualized, comprehensive and practical service plan for every person we serve.
Our agency is governed by a 15 member Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor. The Board is the agency’s governing body and provides general policy direction and guidance.
The Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board is sometimes referred to as “Rich/Lex”
or RLDSN. The agency contracts with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) to provide services for people who meet the eligibility criteria for DDSN services.
Services
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN) contracts with our agency to serve people with Autism, Head and Spinal Cord Injuries and Similar Disabilities, and Intellectual Disabilities/Related Disabilities. SCDDSN determines who is eligible to receive services in the service delivery system. The state law specifies eligibility criteria. DSN Boards do not make a determination about who can receive services. DSN Boards or other approved Intake providers work to gather information to send to DDSN to enable them to make eligibility determinations. Our agency is an approved statewide provider of services.
For information about the programs we provide click here
To see our HIPAA, Privacy Notice, click here
Each county in South Carolina has a Disabilities and Special Needs Board (DSN board). These Boards are formed through state law. Additionally, there are qualified providers that provide various services in various areas of the state. Consumers have a choice of providers for their services.
A DSN board is not the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN). DSN Boards and Qualified Providers contract with SCDDSN to provide a variety of services. SCDDSN is a state agency. DSN Boards and Qualified Providers are not state agencies.
Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board does not discriminate in any way in the delivery of services or the employment of qualified people.
Click here to see our our Freedom of Information (FOI) Fee Schedule
RICHLAND/LEXINGTON DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING SCHEDULE 2024
To see the full schedule for 2024, please see below
All meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board Administrative office located at 301 Greystone Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29210, unless otherwise specified on agenda. (803) 252-5179 Please call to confirm date
If accommodations such as interpreters, mobility assistance or other assistance needs to be provided for individuals with disabilities and special needs please provide advance notice.
Download Meeting Schedule here
- + Introduction
-
Introduction
The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) was created July 3, 1993 by combining the SC Department of Mental Retardation with programs for individuals with autism. New responsibilities also were added to provide services for survivors of head and spinal cord injuries. Now DDSN provides services to people with autism; head injuries, spinal cord injuries and similar disabilities; and intellectual disability and related disabilities.
People with disabilities often need many of the services that other state agencies provide to people without disabilities. We provide services that address disability issues in addition to other issues. We recognize that people with disabilities may need the same services that all South Carolinians have a right to receive, such as educational services, medical services, mental health services, social services, public health services, housing and other services. We help to research and access services and supports needed by people with disabilities and special needs for which they are eligible.
Additionally, people with disabilities usually have needs that go beyond the services typically provided by state agencies. They may need unique, specialized services provided by various disability experts. Our specialized disability services supplement and enhance, not replace, services provided by other agencies.
Our agency advocates on behalf of all citizens with disabilities and special needs to ensure their needs are addressed. We develop a individualized, comprehensive and practical service plan for every person we serve.
- + Organization
-
Our agency is governed by a 15 member Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor. The Board is the agency’s governing body and provides general policy direction and guidance.
The Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board is sometimes referred to as “Rich/Lex”
or RLDSN. The agency contracts with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) to provide services for people who meet the eligibility criteria for DDSN services. - + Services
-
Services
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN) contracts with our agency to serve people with Autism, Head and Spinal Cord Injuries and Similar Disabilities, and Intellectual Disabilities/Related Disabilities. SCDDSN determines who is eligible to receive services in the service delivery system. The state law specifies eligibility criteria. DSN Boards do not make a determination about who can receive services. DSN Boards or other approved Intake providers work to gather information to send to DDSN to enable them to make eligibility determinations. Our agency is an approved statewide provider of services.
For information about the programs we provide click here
To see our HIPAA, Privacy Notice, click here
- + RLDSN Board
-
Each county in South Carolina has a Disabilities and Special Needs Board (DSN board). These Boards are formed through state law. Additionally, there are qualified providers that provide various services in various areas of the state. Consumers have a choice of providers for their services.
A DSN board is not the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN). DSN Boards and Qualified Providers contract with SCDDSN to provide a variety of services. SCDDSN is a state agency. DSN Boards and Qualified Providers are not state agencies.
Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board does not discriminate in any way in the delivery of services or the employment of qualified people.
Click here to see our our Freedom of Information (FOI) Fee Schedule
RICHLAND/LEXINGTON DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING SCHEDULE 2024
To see the full schedule for 2024, please see below
All meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board Administrative office located at 301 Greystone Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29210, unless otherwise specified on agenda. (803) 252-5179 Please call to confirm date
If accommodations such as interpreters, mobility assistance or other assistance needs to be provided for individuals with disabilities and special needs please provide advance notice.
Download Meeting Schedule here