Southwest Center-Dev Disabled

- 8009 Terry Rd, Louisville, KY 40258

Introduction / Overview

For residents of Kentucky, particularly in the Louisville metropolitan area, the term "car rental" takes on a deeper, more specialized meaning when discussing the services provided by the Southwest Center-Dev Disabled. This organization, located on Terry Road, is not a traditional vehicle rental company, but a critical non-profit organization that provides comprehensive support, including essential Handicapped Transportation Services, to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1982, the center’s mission goes beyond merely getting people from point A to point B; it is about affirming the gifts of people with disabilities and assisting them to live happily and independently within their community.

The transportation component is an integral part of their commitment to community inclusion. Their "car rental" equivalent is a fully-supported, door-to-door service that uses specialized, wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This ensures that clients, who are often unable to use standard public transit or drive themselves, can access programs, employment, medical appointments, and general community life across Louisville. As a non-profit and volunteer organization, its focus is wholly on the well-being and autonomy of the individuals it serves.

While the organization aims to deliver supportive, reliable services, community feedback highlights a polarized client experience. Some reviews indicate deep dissatisfaction with a perceived lack of rights or poor professionalism from staff, with one account noting "The drivers are reckless and caring. Especially the one that drives the red van 1801. and the receptionist or lady who answers the phone is one of the rudest and nastiest people I have ever had to deal with." This strongly suggests that while the service itself is vital, prospective users should be prepared to address concerns directly with the center's management to ensure a high standard of professional and respectful interaction, which is critical given the population they serve. The center also hosts vocational programs, including ceramics, demonstrating a commitment to skill-building and enrichment alongside their essential transportation and residential services.

Location and Accessibility

Southwest Center-Dev Disabled is located in a community-accessible area of Louisville, Kentucky, dedicated to maximizing the ease of access for their clients and visitors. The center's physical address is a central point for their operations and various programs.

The organization’s address is: 8009 Terry Rd, Louisville, KY 40258, USA.

This location in the Southwest Jefferson County area is essential for serving the local population. Crucially, the facility itself is designed to meet high accessibility standards to ensure everyone can enter and utilize the space comfortably. Their commitment to accessibility is evident in their on-site features:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: Ensures seamless and unassisted entry and exit for individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Provides reserved and properly marked parking spaces located conveniently close to the entrance for easy access.
• Wheelchair Accessible Restroom: Offers a fully compliant restroom facility, ensuring dignity and comfort during visits or program participation.
• Amenities: The facility is equipped with a clean and accessible restroom for the comfort of clients, staff, and volunteers.

Services Offered

The Southwest Center-Dev Disabled provides an integrated array of non-profit services aimed at supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live fulfilling lives. Their offerings are broad, encompassing social, vocational, residential, and transportation support.

• Handicapped Transportation Service: Provision of specialized vehicles and trained staff to transport individuals who require mobility assistance.
• Access Transportation: General, reliable transportation to community activities, day programs, and appointments.
• Door To Door Service: Personal assistance from the driver/staff member from the client's door to the vehicle, and from the vehicle to the destination entrance, offering a higher level of support than standard transit.
• Transportation for Medical Appointments: Scheduled rides to doctor visits, therapy sessions, and other health-related services in the community.
• Transportation to Residential Home: Transporting clients to and from their supported living residences.
• Drug Screens: May include transport to facilities for mandatory screenings or may refer to administrative support services for clients.
• Ceramics Program: Vocational and recreational activity offering skill-building, creative expression, and social interaction within the center's programs.
• Health and Wellness Support: Services related to the overall health and well-being of the clients, often coordinated through their programs and transport to medical providers.
• Non-profit and Volunteer Organization Support: The center operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, relying on staff and volunteers to deliver personalized, mission-driven services.

Features / Highlights

The Southwest Center-Dev Disabled is distinguished in the Kentucky landscape by its holistic approach to supporting the developmentally disabled community. Key highlights of the organization include:

• Core Non-Profit Mission: The organization's commitment to empowering adults with disabilities to live, work, and enjoy life in their community is its foundational strength, having operated since 1982.
• Comprehensive Accessibility: The facility ensures full access with a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Parking Lot, and Restroom, providing a barrier-free environment for clients.
• Door-to-Door Transportation Model: This critical service feature ensures clients receive necessary assistance beyond the curb, promoting safety and independence for those with severe mobility challenges.
• Integrated Service Model: By offering transportation alongside vocational (e.g., Ceramics), residential, and employment services, they provide a single point of support for multiple needs, which is a major advantage for clients and their families in Louisville.
• Community Inclusion Focus: All services, including the transportation program, are geared toward helping clients make meaningful contributions and participate actively in the greater Kentucky community.
• Dedicated to Adult Clients: The center focuses specifically on the unique needs and goals of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, tailoring their programs and support accordingly.

Contact Information

For general inquiries, information about enrollment in programs, or to discuss transportation and residential service options in Louisville and the surrounding areas, please use the following contact details:

• Address: 8009 Terry Rd, Louisville, KY 40258, USA
• Phone: (502) 935-1848
• Mobile Phone: +1 502-935-1848

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Southwest Center-Dev Disabled for transportation and related support is choosing a vital, specialized system over a general market car rental. This is a non-profit organization deeply embedded in the Louisville community, driven by a mission to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The service is worth choosing because it is custom-built for a vulnerable population, offering essential door-to-door, handicapped transportation that no standard rental agency can provide. The vehicles are accessible, the physical location is fully wheelchair-compliant, and the transportation is integrated with a broader suite of services—from residential assistance to skill-building programs like Ceramics. This holistic approach ensures that mobility is not a standalone issue, but part of a complete system of care and community engagement.

For families and caregivers in Kentucky, the peace of mind offered by a service designed to handle the complexities of developmental disabilities and mobility restrictions is invaluable. However, prospective users must note the importance of advocating for respect and professional conduct. The severe nature of the negative reviews—specifically concerning reckless driving and rudeness from a receptionist—indicates potential service inconsistencies that warrant serious consideration. While these criticisms must be acknowledged, they underscore the need for the organization to maintain the highest standards of compassion and professionalism its mission promises.

Ultimately, the Southwest Center-Dev Disabled is worth choosing for its necessary specialization, its non-profit commitment to its clients, and the comprehensive, accessible services it provides to a community in Kentucky that often has limited options. It is not a place to 'rent a car,' but a place to access independence, support, and a pathway to a more engaged community life. The potential user’s focus should be on ensuring their service experience aligns with the organization's founding principles of dignity and encouragement.

Southwest Center-Dev Disabled

8009 Terry Rd, Louisville, KY 40258, USA