Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc. (AEDD) is a charitable organization established for the sole purpose of providing services to the disabled citizens of the State of Arkansas. The organization is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

1971 

The Organization was formed in order to provide pre-employment training, real work opportunities, recreational and leisure time activities, and development of daily living skills for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) in the Little Rock area. AEDD board members and the executive staff personally guaranteed a note for five thousand dollars to begin operations. A small abandoned one-room grocery store on the east side of Little Rock was rented and operations of the Central Arkansas Work Activity Center began serving thirteen individuals with DD.

1972-1974 

AEDD had the opportunity through funding by the State of Arkansas to develop residential services for individuals with DD in a congregate living arrangement. A home in the Quapaw District of Little Rock was purchased in 1972 to serve ten individuals. In addition to providing a home environment, the home allowed skill development in the areas of cooking, cleaning, budget management, shopping, and socialization. In 1974, an additional home became available in the same area. AEDD purchased this home and developed a program similar to the first home. The second home serves twelve individuals. 

1987 

AEDD implemented the "Supported Employment" program. In this program, staff of AEDD contacts local businesses for the purpose of placing individuals with DD in competitive employment. Once a job opportunity is identified, an individual is trained in the task or tasks required for the job. The individuals are placed on-site at the local business. AEDD staff provides on-site training and ongoing job coaching to assure the individuals' success in maintaining the competitive employment.

1989 

The Supported Living program was initiated. This program provides the necessary supports for an individual with DD to live in the local community, usually in their own home. This living arrangement is preferable to other alternatives (group homes, human development centers, etc.), assuming the individual can function in the home setting. 

1990 

The federal government altered Medicaid regulations to allow for individuals with DD who are otherwise eligible for institutionalization to be served in a community setting. The State of Arkansas applied for and received approval for a "Waiver" that allows the funding of these community-based services. This allows for severely disabled individuals to live in their own home and provides community-based supports. The supported living program was the forerunner to this service, but Medicaid funding allowed for more severely disabled individuals to receive services other than in an institution. Case management is an integral part of this service. 

1990 

AEDD applied for and received a certificate of need to develop two 10-bed intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (ICFMR). These are community-based facilities that provide the same services as the state-operated Human Development Centers. 

1992-1993 

The City of Little Rock and AEDD partnered to fund acquisition of three homes in various communities of Little Rock, and AEDD purchased two additional homes, one in Sherwood and one in Maumelle. Each of these homes provide housing and ancillary supports for two or three individuals with DD. Each of he homes has a live-in caregiver. 

1996 

AEDD was requested by the State of Arkansas to become a "911 Civil Commitment" provider. This program provides community alternatives for individuals that are DD or mentally ill (or dually diagnosed) that have been either convicted of a crime or otherwise been involved with the courts and who otherwise would be incarcerated. AEDD has become the leading provider of this difficult service for the State of Arkansas. 

2000 

AEDD partnered with the City of Little Rock to fund the building of two additional homes in Little Rock. One provides supported living for three individuals. The second is a home specifically designed to serve four individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, a severe eating disorder. This home is the only home in the state specifically designed for this service. 

2000 

The workshop was expanded from the existing building of approximately 5,000 square feet to a workshop of approximately 76,000 square feet. This addition resulted in increasing the number of individuals served from sixty to approximately two hundred in the course of two years. 

2001 

AEDD began providing physical, occupational and speech therapy for individuals served in the workshop. 

2002 

AEDD partnered with Harbor View Mercy Hospital in Ft. Smith to provide mental health services to individuals with DD through the "Rehabilitative Services for People with Mental Illness" program. 

2002-2003 

AEDD applied for and became a licensed by the Arkansas Department of Rehabilitation as a Community Rehabilitation Program that evaluates and trains individuals for competitive employment. Once trained, AEDD secures competitive employment for individuals that are successful in completing the training. 

2002-2003 

AEDD partnered with the North Little Rock School System and the City of North Little Rock to develop a children's learning center in North Little Rock. The North Little Rock school, McRae Elementary, was renovated and operational in September 2002. This facility serves both disabled and non-disabled children from ages birth to five.  This program allows the birth to five year old child with developmental disabilities to receive individualized services.  In addition to preschool curriculum, additional services are offered as prescribed by the child’s physician.

2004-2005

AEDD partnered with Pathfinders to provide mental health services to individuals with disabilities.  The Landers Center added a computer lab and an area for recreation.  The Sammie Gail Sanders Children’s Learning Center continues to obtain “full enrollment.”