Disability Access Points (DAPs) are local organizations that support individuals with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Support is provided with connection to short-term and long-term resources by sharing information, creating plans, referrals and check-ins to ensure all individuals get the right support to live healthy, independent lives.
DAPs are split into seven different districts throughout Iowa. These districts merge into four agencies that then are part of the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) network. Learn more about each DAP - including contact information, office hours, and resources.
In each area DAPs will:
Provide helpful information and connect people and caregivers to local services.
Serve as a trusted ADRC Network reosurce for aging and disability support.
Work with local leaders and disability advocates to ensure services meet community needs.
Information and Assistance (I&A): District Service Navigators (DSN) will walk through in-depth conversations to identify strengths and needs of individuals and provide them with ideal opportunities and services available within their communities. DSNs will follow up with individuals within 24 hours if services have not been identified, to ensure individuals are connected with the best resources to move forward in a seamless manner.
Options Counseling: Individuals will receive support to make informed choices about short-term and long-term services. This process includes detailed steps:
Personal interview and assessment to discover goals, strengths, values and preferences of each individual;
Opportunity to explore resources and service options to make important decisions with each individual;
Create action steps to develop a goal or a long-term, person-centered plan with assistance to apply and access support options;
Timely follow-ups and check-in conversations to ensure individuals are being supported and assisted with decisions.
Short-Term Services and Supports (STSS): Services created for a specific length of time to focus on supporting individuals with disabilities to live in the home and community of their choice in an integrated manner. Support is offered throughout this timeframe to families and caregivers as needed. STSS has a timeframe of up to 90 days or 3 months.
Adaptive Equipment: Practical equipment (non-medical) that assists individuals with activities of daily (ADL) living that allow individuals more independence; products align with Medicaid approval. Adaptive equipment includes but is not limited to:
Long reach brushes
Extra-long shoehorns
Non-slip grippers to pick up and reach items
Dressing aids
Shampoo rinse trays and inflatable shampoo trays
Double handed cups
Sipper lids
Enabling technology (do we need to provide examples of this?)
Home and Vehicle Modifications: Physical modifications to an individual’s home or vehicle to directly address a medical or remedial need; that are necessary to provide for the health, welfare or safety of an individual, and that allow an individual to function with greater independence.
Modifications are not furnished to adapt living arrangements that are owned or leased by service providers, including facility-based settings.
Services such as home and vehicle repairs, motorized vehicle purchase or lease, and regularly scheduled upkeep and maintenance of vehicles are not included.
DAPs utilize Medicaid HCBS waiver services timeframes and rates for provision of home modification services.
Individual Assessment and Evaluation: Focuses on the individual’s current function, situation, needs, strengths, abilities, desires and goals; clinical review is completed by a licensed professional with extensive experience in working with individuals with disabilities.
Peer and Parent Support: Services to assist individuals or family members of individuals to live successfully in the family or community; includes education and information, individual advocacy, family support groups, respite, etc.
Peer and Parent Support Specialist: Support is provided by an individual who has lived experience as someone with a disability, is a parent, primary caregiver, foster parent or family member of an individual with a disability. Peer and Parent Support Specialist will have successfully completed standardized training to provide the support services through the medical assistance program.
Time-Limited Rental Assistance: Financial support that is non-recurring and set up for individuals who are transitioning from an institution or provider-operated living arrangement to a private residence where individuals will be directly responsible for own living expenses.
Transportation: Services provided to travel to a variety of locations for purposes including business, medical, essential errands, employment, day services, activities to reduce social isolation, etc. If a minor, will need to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or designated adult.
Other Basic Needs: Needs and items for personal or household use that are not covered by insurance, provide health and safety and support the individual to remain in their current living situation and community.
An active, transitional and ongoing process that involves assisting an eligible individual in gaining access to and coordinating the provision of services. Service coordination uses person-centered practices in all contacts with individuals and their caregivers; and coordinating the services identified in the service plan.
Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS): Activities that support individuals with disabilities at the most independent level of care possible, including facility diversion or transition to community-based services. Individuals must have an assessed need for assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) or need assistance due to their inability to function independently in their home or community related to their disability. Assessment tools and level of care tiers will be utilized like those for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver and Habilitation programs. LTSS has a timeframe of 90+ days.
Adult Day Services
Day Habilitation
Home-Based Habilitation
Facility-Based Residential Programs
Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with intellectual Disabilities [ICF/ID]
Nursing Facilities [NF]
Residential Care Facilities [RCFs]
Residential Care Facility for Persons with Mental Illness (RDF-PMI)
Skilled Nursing Facilities [SNF]
Intensive Residential Services (IRSH)
Medical Services and Supplies
Personal Response System (PERS)
Portable Locator System
Prevocational Services
Residential-Based Supported Community Living (RBSCL)
Respite
Supported Community Living (SCL)
Supported Employment including Individual Placement and Supports (IPS)
The District Disability Service Advisory (DSA) Council is a council established by each DAP to connect and identify opportunities, address challenges and advise. The Council must include nine members, with 50 percent of them being individuals with disabilities or caregivers, and a positive representation of all age groups and disability populations across the District.
Current DAP plans for January 1, 2026 and beyond consist of initial findings for each district; including methodology, qualitative data, identified gaps and priorities.
