In 1960 the El Paso County Society for Crippled Children and Adults merged with Hope House, Inc. to become the Rocky Mountain Rehabilitation Center. The primary goal was to help disabled individuals achieve their maximum potential through therapy, support and education. In 1991 this organization merged with the Pueblo Easter Seal Society (which began in 1929) to become Tri-County Easter Seal Society – an affiliate of the National Easter Seal Society. To follow the requirements of the National organization, in 1999, the name was changed to Easter Seals Southern Colorado. Again in 2008 the National organization changed the requirements. This time the Board of Directors decided to disaffiliate and become a stand-alone nonprofit organization to best serve the needs of our community. The name of the organization changed to Disability Services of Colorado. Unfortunately, 2009 was a very difficult year for our nonprofit organization as the economy took a downturn.
To make sure our clients were continuing to be served with quality care, we relocated many of our programs to other organizations which had goals similar to ours. The following is a list of where the programs went and contact information:
American Sign Language - Beautiful ASL, 2220 E. Bijou St., #210, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Email: LearnASL1234@gmail.com.
Audiology-AAA Program – Peak Vista Community Senior Health Center, 5636 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80918. Phone (719) 344-7106.
Audiology-Commercial – Center for Hearing, Speech & Language, 1329 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Phone (719) 597-3390.
Audiology-H.E.A.R.S. – Mission Medical Clinic, 2125 E. La Salle Street, #L32, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Phone (719) 352-5124.
Audiology-Kids Rock -Colorado Hearing & Balance Clinic, 175 S. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Phone (719) 442-6984.
Autism-Play Project – Julia Boulton, LPC, 7730 N. Union Blvd., #204, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. Phone (719) 331-5614.
Dental-Seniors – Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, 15 South 7th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80905. Phone (719) 471-7080 x 400.
Epilepsy Support Group – Unfortunately, this support group no longer meets.
Post Polio Support Group – Contact Linda Groth (719) 633-1497.
Stroke Support Group – This group merged with the Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group that meets at The Independence Center which is located at 729 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. The phone number is (719) 471-8181. The group meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 1:30 – 3:00pm.
Through all of the changes over many years the purpose of the organization has always been the same – to provide an opportunity for disabled individuals in our community to have a better quality of life.