Daryn Richardson | Services Development Director

Daryn Richardson is a 22-year veteran of helping adults with intellectual disabilities reach their full potential. Through collaboration with teachers, psychologists, parents and many others, Daryn has facilitated the creation of sustainable programs and services that lead to good jobs, safe places to live and a quality of life based on the desires of the individual.

Through collaboration with many others, Daryn developed Vodec’s Elm program for individuals with multiple disabilities, the Supported Employment and Academic Collaboration Program that finds jobs for high schools students in special education who are ready for work and the Adult Transition Program, an “18-plus” program that prepares students for life after graduation. With the help of Why Arts and the Nebraska Arts Council, Daryn created the first ever community-based fine art program for students in transition.

Daryn is a past president of the Human Services Advisory Council and the Iowa Chapter of APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First), where he served two terms as a municipal housing commissioner. He was appointed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. Daryn also serves on the (Iowa) Olmstead Consumer Taskforce, The Henry K Petersen Board, The OPS Superintendent’s Special Education Advisory Committee and the Nebraska chapter of APSE.