
DDSO
Developmental Disabilities Service Organization
About DDSO:
From two sites in Sacramento and one site in Stockton, Developmental Disabilities Service Organization (DDSO) is an award-winning nonprofit that annually provides 400 adults with disabilities the opportunity to experience independence, job training, employment, physical education, visual and performing arts, life skill building, social interaction, active participation in the community, nurturing relationships and more.
Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. They include cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities. There may be challenges with major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living. Developmental disabilities begin anytime during development up to 22 years of age, and last throughout a person’s lifetime.
Today, there is more opportunity than ever to honor and recognize the contributions and independence of people with disabilities. They have diverse ideas and choices to make about where they want to go, how they want to spend their time, and with whom they want to interact. DDSO’s programs strive daily to help individuals achieve their dreams of being gainfully employed doing meaningful work, living in a home where they can make their own life choices, contributing to society through volunteering, and impacting the world through visual and performing arts.
DDSO’s The Mural Project
In 1999, two art teachers who work at The Short Center North (SCN), an arts center for adults with developmental disabilities, founded The Mural Project in the hope of sharing the creations of artists with disabilities with the community.
Now in its 9th year, The Mural Project – a special project of Developmental Disabilities Service Organization, Inc. (DDSO) – has designed, fabricated, and installed over 12 ceramic murals in underserved neighborhoods throughout the greater Sacramento area. The Mural Project is looking forward to participating in this year’s Wide Open Walls.