What Is DakotAbilities and How Does It Support Adults with Disabilities in Sioux Falls?
Updated
DakotAbilities is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that supports adults with disabilities from across the state. If you are an adult with a disability, a family member, or someone looking to donate, volunteer, or work in disability services in the Sioux Falls area, DakotAbilities is a local organization worth understanding. Its stated purpose is to create a warm, welcoming community that enriches the lives of the people it supports.
Who DakotAbilities Serves
DakotAbilities focuses on adults with disabilities, and its reach extends beyond Sioux Falls to people from all over South Dakota. The organization describes its work as person-centered and community-oriented: rather than a single program, it combines several types of support so each individual can pursue a meaningful day and "live their best life."
Core Support Services
According to the organization, DakotAbilities provides the following supports:
| Support Area | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Accessible housing | Living arrangements designed to be accessible for adults with disabilities |
| Employment | Work-related support and opportunities |
| Day services | Structured daytime programming and activities |
| Physical habilitation services | Services aimed at developing or maintaining physical function |
| 24/7 nursing care | Access to nursing support around the clock |
These supports are described as working together to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of each person. The combination matters: housing, employment, daytime activity, habilitation, and nursing care address different parts of daily life rather than treating any one in isolation.
The Approach: Person-Centered and Inclusive
Two ideas run through how DakotAbilities describes its work:
- Person-centered care — the individual's own goals and needs shape the support they receive.
- Inclusive community — the organization works with the people it supports and the broader community to create opportunities, aiming for a more connected world for everyone.
In practice, this means the organization frames its role as partnering with adults with disabilities and the wider Sioux Falls and South Dakota community, not simply delivering a fixed set of services.
How to Get Involved
DakotAbilities lists three main ways for community members to participate:
Donate
The organization states that 100% of donations are directed to day services, capital projects, or its endowment fund. The endowment is intended to help prepare for future needs, while day services and capital projects address current ones.
Volunteer
Volunteers share their time and talents to enrich the lives of the people DakotAbilities supports. The organization describes this as a way to experience how it feels to make meaningful opportunities possible for others.
Join the Team
DakotAbilities hires staff to support people in finding meaningful experiences. It states that it offers competitive wages and benefits including a 401k, healthcare/insurance, vision, dental, life insurance, and education and training opportunities.
What to Keep in Mind
- DakotAbilities is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), so donations may be tax-deductible depending on your situation — confirm details with the organization or a tax professional.
- Its services are aimed at adults, not children.
- While based in Sioux Falls, it supports adults from all over South Dakota, so location within the state may not be a barrier.
- The website does not publish pricing or eligibility details for services. If you are seeking support for yourself or a family member, contact DakotAbilities directly to ask about eligibility, intake, and any costs.
For anyone in or near Sioux Falls looking to understand local disability services, DakotAbilities is a starting point that combines direct supports — housing, employment, day services, habilitation, and nursing care — with ways for the community to contribute through giving, volunteering, or employment.