DARS
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Division for Rehabilitation Services
Independent
Living Services
Millions of people with disabilities face barriers which
severely limit their choices for quality of life.
Independent Living Services (ILS) promote self-sufficiency despite severe
disability. Objectives of the Division for Rehabilitation Services' ILS program include
but are not limited to:
• living independently;
• decreasing dependence on family members;
• decreasing the need for attendant services;
• decreasing the need for supervision in activities and daily living;
• increasing a self-directed lifestyle;
• improving ability to perform activities of daily living;
• improving mobility;
• improving communication; and
• improving personal/social adjustment.
Other services provided in the ILS program may include:
• counseling and guidance;
• training and tutorial services;
• adult basic education;
• rehabilitation facility training;
• telecommunications, sensory and other technological aids for people who are
deaf;
• vehicle modification;
• assistive devices such as artificial limbs, braces, wheelchairs and hearing aids
to stabilize or improve function; and
• other services as needed to achieve independent living objectives, such as
transportation, interpreter services and maintenance.
Some people with significant disabilities face barriers that severely limit their ability
to take advantage of the many opportunities most people take for granted, for instance,
transportation, living arrangements, social and recreational activities.
Some barriers are obvious – a curb with no ramp for people who use wheelchairs, lack
of interpreters or captioning for people with hearing impairments, lack of brailled
material for people with visual impairments, for example.
Less obvious barriers can be even more limiting. Misunderstanding about disability can
very often prevent people with disabilities from living lives of independence.
That's where DRS's Independent Living Services (ILS) can help.
With some assistance, people with disabilities can effectively confront these
barriers and achieve lives of personal satisfaction and independence. Independent
living counselors can help people with disabilities move beyond all kinds of barriers,
both at home and in the community. People with all kinds of severe disabilities can
benefit from ILS at DRS. (People who are blind or visually impaired are served by
the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services' Division for Blind Services.)
Independent Living Services counselors at DRS help Texans with disabilities make
choices about living independently.
To be eligible for ILS, a person must be certified by a DRS counselor:
• to have a significant disability that results in a substantial impediment to their
ability function independently in the family and/or in the community, and
• there must be a reasonable expectation that ILS services will result in their
ability to function more independently.
ILS services can be provided to clients when they meet the basic eligibility
requirements. The ILS counselor provides guidance and counseling and, when
possible, coordinates services from organizations offering similar benefits directed
toward achieving the ILS goal. For those ILS services that require DRS funds, clients
are continued on the ILS Waiting List. The timing of DRS paid services varies;
depending upon available funding and the current number of clients receiving or waiting
for DRS funded services.
DRS works very closely with independent living centers. The independent living
centers are located in the same areas as DRS ILS counselors. Services are available
through ILS counselors at DRS offices in Amarillo, Austin, Crockett, Dallas, El Paso,
Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock and the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Cover Photos:
Feliciano Garza and his son, Feliciano (Smiley) Jr, from McAllen, Texas. “Without help I
couldn’t do anything - not even get out of bed,” says Garza. “My counselor got me the
assistive devices that allowed me to take care of my own personal needs again. Now I
can take care of myself, prepare meals for my family again and even drive my son to
school.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To inquire about Independent Living Services, please contact the Regional
Administrative Office in your area to locate the Independent Living office nearest you.
The DARS - Division for Rehabilitation Services contact numbers listed below have TTY
capability:
Lubbock
(806) 783-2960
1-800-392-1929
Metroplex
(972) 949-2400
1-800-634-2616
Austin
(512) 407-1320
1-800-687-2676
Houston
(713) 267-8510
1-866-281-1804
San Antonio
(210) 805-2200
1-800-410-7760
Or, you can call the DARS information and referral line at 1-800-628-5115 to speak with
a member of the DARS Inquiries Unit, or the Client Assistance Program (CAP) at 1-800252-9108 (voice/TTY).
The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services is an equal opportunity
employer and service provider.
Our website address: www.dars.state.tx.us
Division for Rehabilitation Services
4900 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78751
reorder #01877 - Programs - 8-08 - 8719