About Us

We are a collaborative union of employment for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities (I/DD) referred by the state dept. of economic security, division of developmental disabilities, and a native plant nursery. The nursery provides integrated jobs and training opportunities for employees with I/DD. Revenues from the nursery sales pay salaries for I/DD employees, while income from our contract with the State of Arizona pays the salaries of nursery workers who are also trained as Direct Support Professionals.

What we do

A diverse and skilled staff of Direct Support Professionals, who we refer to as Mentors, work alongside our 40+ supported employees with disabilities. With some additional support from nursery staff, our supported employees prepare for competitive integrated employment in the community. By being both a retail and production nursery, we are able to offer a wide variety of tasks to participants to help them learn what the next step of their employment journey will look like.

Creating an integrated work environment where every employee is treated equally with respect and dignity. We honor all diversity and our fence has three gates to welcome all.

Desert Survivors Inc. is dedicated to providing quality employment to adults with developmental disabilities, advocacy to families and individuals, desert friendly products at our native plant nursery and services to our community. Our services promote respect for each individual’s beliefs and values within their culture and celebrate healthy living in our desert home.

We are an employment services program for adults with disabilities. Our supported employees explore their strengths and build skills by working at our native plant nursery and providing commercial landscaping to the community. Revenues from nursery sales and landscaping contracts pay the salaries of our employees with disabilities, while income from our state service contracts pay the wages of our staff.