The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area

What The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area does

The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area, Inc. (dRC) is a non-profit Center for Independent Living (CIL) founded in 1993 and headquartered at 409 Progress Street in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The organization delivers the five federally recognized core CIL services — Independent Living Skills Training, Individual and Systems Advocacy, Information and Referral, Peer Mentoring, and Transition Services — plus specialized programs including the Equipment Connection (a durable medical equipment reuse program), Home Accessibility Modifications, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and Deaf and Hard of Hearing outreach. All services are provided free of charge to consumers without a waiting list. The operating model is consumer-driven: the majority of staff and Board members are people with disabilities or their family members, embedding lived experience into program design and delivery.

The dRC serves a defined Rappahannock-region footprint covering Fredericksburg city and Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties, with a 2022 SILC grant extending services into Culpeper, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties (Planning District 9). It operates a secondary location at 1503 Princess Anne Street dedicated to the Equipment Connection, plus community-based programming through support groups (Empowerment, SOLE, LEAD Youth, HLAA Rappahannock, Adult Autism, Well Sibling Squad, Ignite Change, Transportation Coalition) and the annual Fall Family Festival. Distribution occurs via in-person consultations, phone/Video Phone/CallCaption, referral partnerships with local schools, RACSB, DARS, Virginia Housing, and PPL, and a social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube (Live Life Your Way series).

The business model is a federally and state-funded non-profit revenue stack. Primary funding flows from Part C of Title VII of the Federal Rehabilitation Act and Virginia General Fund appropriations routed through the statewide CIL allocation system; supplemental revenue comes from Virginia State Independent Living Council grants (Planning District 9 expansion), Virginia Housing grant administration (OAHMP, Military Home Modification), individual/corporate donations, and CFC/CVC/LGC workplace giving campaigns. There is no fee-for-service revenue; all consumer-facing services are free. Headcount is approximately 15–20 staff including the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Office Manager, Advocacy Director, Personal Attendant Services Facilitators, Community Integration Specialists, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Support Specialist, Pre-ETS facilitators, Billing Clerk, and Equipment Connection Manager.

Name

The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area

Legal name

The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area, Inc.

Website

https://cildrc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The disAbility Resource Center (dRC) is a non-profit Center for Independent Living founded in 1993 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, delivering independent living skills training, advocacy, peer mentoring, transition services, and equipment reuse free of charge to people with disabilities across the Rappahannock region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fredericksburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The dRC operates as a nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) funded by state, federal, local, and private dollars. Over $1.5 million of general operation money for CILs in Virginia is funded under Part C of Title VII of the Federal Rehabilitation Act. Virginia General Fund dollars for Center operations and Youth Transition Services currently exceed $5 million.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations from individuals, corporations, and through campaigns including the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #76880), Combined VA Campaign (CVC #7942), and Local Government Campaign (LGC #6450).
3. Free Services Model: Services are provided free of charge to consumers. The organization does not charge for its core CIL services including independent living skills training, peer mentoring, advocacy, and transition services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The disAbility Resource Center is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living providing free, confidential independent living services to people with disabilities in the Fredericksburg, Virginia region. Its offerings include five core CIL services (Independent Living Skills Training, Individual and Systems Advocacy, Information and Referral, Peer Mentoring, and Transition Services) plus supplemental programs such as the Equipment Connection durable medical equipment reuse program, home accessibility modifications, ADA training, Pre-Employment Transition Services, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing outreach.

Product overview

The disAbility Resource Center (dRC) is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) providing a comprehensive suite of services for people with disabilities. The organization operates as a unified service program rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture, offering five core CIL services: Independent Living Skills Training, Individual and Services Advocacy, Information and Referral Services, Peer Mentoring, and Transition Services. These core services are supplemented by specialized programs including the Equipment Connection (durable medical equipment reuse), Home Accessibility Program, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach, and multiple support groups (Empowerment Group, SOLE Group, LEAD Youth Group, HLAA Rappahannock Club, Adult Autism Group, Well Sibling Squad, Ignite Change Advocacy Group, Transportation Coalition). The dRC serves the Fredericksburg region and expanded services to Culpeper, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties through the Planning District 9 initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Equipment Connection: Free adaptive medical equipment reuse program that accepts, cleans, repairs, and distributes durable medical equipment to individuals with disabilities.
• Fall Family Festival

Products and services

• Independent Living Skills Training Hands-on instruction program where staff work directly with consumers to teach independent living abilities such as self-esteem, meal planning, financial management, obtaining housing and transportation, and socialization. Free to people with disabilities in the Fredericksburg region.
• Individual and Systems Advocacy Teaches consumers how to make their voices heard by assisting people with disabilities to understand their rights and responsibilities and to advocate at local, state, and federal levels. Free service.
• Information and Referral Services Provides assistance to anyone in the community with disability-related questions or needs, connecting consumers and family members with accessible resources and agency referrals. Free service.
• Peer Mentoring Program where people with disabilities assist others to pursue their goals and recognize their own abilities, providing personal support and socialization for successful independent living. Free service.
• Transition Services Services preparing youth ages 14-24 to move to adult life, including transitioning from nursing homes and institutional settings back to homes and community. Free service.
• Equipment Connection Free adaptive medical equipment reuse program that accepts, cleans, repairs, and distributes new and gently used durable medical equipment to individuals with disabilities who cannot otherwise afford it. Operates from 1503 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg.
• Home Accessibility Program Home safety modification services administered through Virginia Housing Accessibility Grants and the Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP), providing grab bars, handrails, improved lighting, and accessibility upgrades for eligible participants.
• ADA Leadership Network Free ADA training and guidance on Americans with Disabilities Act issues, with customizable topics including hiring, serving customers, accessibility in businesses, and accessible technology.
• Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Program helping young people with disabilities prepare for life after high school through self-advocacy training and workplace readiness development.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach Provides information on services and resources for deaf and hard of hearing individuals including interpreter and CART referrals, technical assistance for veterans, service dogs, and Virginia's Children First program.
• Give Back Sound Program Hearing aid donation program accepting gently used hearing aids for redistribution to those in need.
• Culpeper (PD9) Services CIL services expansion for Culpeper, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties through a SILC grant, offering the five core independent living services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free services with no waiting list for people with disabilities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Virginia State Independent Living CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe dRC received a SILC grant to assist in CIL Development for Culpeper, Orange, Madison & Rappahannock Counties. The Virginia State Independent Living Council provides funding for outreach and coalition-building to develop new Centers for Independent Living in Planning District 9.
• Local School SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with Caroline County Public Schools, Spotsylvania County Public Schools, and Stafford County Public Schools for Parent Resource Centers and youth transition services. Facilitates school and community inclusion for children with disabilities.
• Virginia HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Virginia Housing for the Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP) and Virginia Housing Accessibility Grants. Also administers the Military Home Modification Grant Program (Granting Freedom) for veterans.
• Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral and partnership relationship for behavioral health and developmental services coordination for individuals with disabilities in the Rappahannock area.
• Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnership for rehabilitation services and resources for people with disabilities, including referral coordination and service provision.
• Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial Management Services partner for consumer-directed services, providing timesheets and employment forms administration for personal attendant services.
• Audiologists' Offices and Assisted Living FacilitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Giving Back Sound donation boxes placed at audiologists' offices and assisted living facilities across the region for hearing aid donations to support the deaf and hard of hearing community.
• Social Service OfficescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with social services departments in Caroline, Fredericksburg, King George, and Spotsylvania for resource referrals and coordinated care for individuals with disabilities.
• Hearing Loss Association of America - Rappahannock ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiann Drew serves as President of the HLAA Rappahannock Chapter, providing information and support to help individuals live with hearing loss. dRC hosts monthly meetings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including independent living, employment, and accessibility support across many U.S. regions. Comparable to the dRC as a federally-funded disability-services organization with a similar independent-living and transition-services mission, but operating at national scale rather than regional.
• The Arc of the United States: National disability advocacy and services organization focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities, with chapters delivering independent living, employment, and advocacy services. Directly comparable to the dRC's cross-disability, consumer-controlled service model, though operating through a federated chapter structure.
• SourceAmerica: National nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities through the AbilityOne program. Comparable to the dRC's Pre-ETS and transition services component, though focused specifically on employment pathways rather than full independent living support.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit network providing employment, training, and community-based services including programs for people with disabilities. Overlaps with the dRC on independent living and vocational preparation services, though Goodwill operates at much larger scale and across many populations beyond disability.

Direct peers

• Ability360: Center for Independent Living based in Arizona providing the five core CIL services plus independent living skills training, advocacy, and transition programs. One of the closest structural analogs to the dRC, differing primarily by operating in a larger and more urbanized regional market.
• Access Living: Chicago-based Center for Independent Living delivering independent living skills, advocacy, peer mentoring, and transition services for people with disabilities. A direct CIL peer with the same core service mix, federal/state funding base, and consumer-controlled governance philosophy as the dRC.
• Center for Independent Living of Central Florida: Regional Center for Independent Living serving central Florida with the five core CIL services and additional disability-support programs. Direct peer offering the same federally-funded CIL service mix as the dRC, with a different state funding environment.
• The Whole Person: Kansas City-area Center for Independent Living providing independent living, advocacy, transition, and consumer-directed services for people with disabilities. Closely comparable to the dRC in scope, federal CIL funding model, and cross-disability consumer-driven approach.
• Independence First: Milwaukee-based Center for Independent Living providing independent living skills, advocacy, peer support, and transition services. Direct peer with the same five-core-service CIL model and consumer-controlled governance as the dRC, serving a different urban regional market.

Others

• National Council on Independent Living: National advocacy and umbrella organization for the U.S. CIL network (over 400 centers). Comparable to the dRC as an ecosystem anchor rather than a service competitor; relevant as a peer given the dRC's consumer-controlled CIL model and federal CIL designation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3IRdLuDq4d21yrSHnH_Nag/featured?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/dRCVA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disability-resource-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/disability.resource.center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area