Employment Services
Desert Survivors was incorporated in 1981 with the purpose of creating meaningful dignified employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). We have gone through many changes in our 40 years, but the original message remains. Our goal is for each person to learn the skills they need to move into competitive employment positions in our community.
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
participant must be a current DDD member with ALTCS services
Group Supported Employment (GSE) We employ dozens of adults with I/DD in fully integrated work environments. These individuals help maintain over 40,000 plants at our nursery! Weeding, transplanting, moving, organizing, and learning new skills enables them to meet their full potential. They also travel off-site to various commercial landscaping partners and Pima County’s Chuck Huckleberry Loop. Our crews help keep Tucson beautiful by picking up trash, watering planters, pruning, and maintaining beds. Every small group has a mentor to guide, teach, and encourage, with respect for each person’s unique abilities. And every participant receives at least minimum wage.
Employment Support Aid (ESA)This service allows a participant to receive limited, individualized one-on-one support so that they may successfully participate in our GSE program. This support may include personal care assistance or behavioral health interventions that ensure the individual will retain their job and benefit from GSE services.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
participant must be at the appropriate stage in their Individualized Plan for Employment.
Trial Work Experience (TWE) A TWE is an exploration of the VR applicant’s abilities, capabilities, and capacity to perform work activities in realistic work situations. VR applicants have a choice in where the TWE takes place and what kind of work is done. TWEs allow applicants to interact with people with and without disabilities in integrated settings, while showing what they can do. Because the work must be related to an applicant’s employment goal and be in-person, Desert Survivors accepts referrals from job seekers in Pima County interested in outside work in the trades or agriculture. Usually, this service is part-time for a few weeks; enough time to sufficiently show VR the job seekers potential.
Work Adjustment Training (WAT) WAT is a job readiness service that provides training in the meaning, values, and demands of work; to develop positive attitudes toward work and develop practical skills necessary to achieve the participant’s vocational goal. We use real work as a way to develop good habits in preparation for obtaining competitive integrated employment. This is most effective when the individual’s goals are related to outside work in the trades or agriculture. This is also a short-term service as it is meant to prepare the participant for their job search
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On-site Nursery teams
We have up to 25 members with I/DD who are on site at our nursery. These individuals help maintain over 40,000 plants! Weeding, transplanting, moving, organizing and learning new skills enables them to meet their full potential. Each small group has a mentor to guide, care for, teach and encourage, with respect for each persons unique abilities.
Santa Cruz River Mobile Crew
We are proud to be partnered with Pima County Dept. of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, We have two crews that maintain the Santa Cruz River Park, Chuck Huckleberry Loop from Irvington to Ina Road.
Employment Program
Program Director Michelle Wyrick
520-850-6099
Open: 7:30 AM – 3:15 PM
1020 W. Starr Pass,
Tucson, AZ 85713
Send an email to
michelle@desertsurvivors.org
for more information.
Our east entrance gate is located along Santa Cruz Lane at the junction of 21st Street. Employees are dropped off and picked up from this location.
Disability Information & Resources
Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Welcome to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision that every child, adult, and family in Arizona will be safe and economically secure.
Click the logo for more information