Marana, Arizona, is a growing town in Pima County with a strong sense of community. For residents with disabilities, finding the right support can make the difference between isolation and a full, active life. Fortunately, Marana and the surrounding southern Arizona region offer a range of community and vocational programs designed to help people with disabilities build skills, find jobs, and participate in everyday life.
This article covers the key programs and resources available to Marana residents, from state-run vocational rehabilitation to local nonprofit services and school-based supports.
Vocational Rehabilitation Through the State
The Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (AZRSA) runs a statewide Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program through the Department of Economic Security. This program helps people with physical or mental disabilities prepare for, find, and keep employment. Services are personalized and developed in partnership with a VR counselor who works directly with each individual.
Services available through VR may include vocational evaluations to identify strengths and interests, job skills training, job search and placement assistance, transportation support, worksite modifications, and help with self-employment. The program is open to anyone whose disability creates a barrier to employment and who can benefit from VR services. Marana residents can contact a local RSA office or call the toll-free number at 1-800-563-1221 to begin the referral process.
Beacon Group: Local Employment Services
Beacon Group is a well-established nonprofit that has been serving people with disabilities in southern Arizona since 1952. It is a member of the Marana Chamber of Commerce and serves over 2,000 individuals each year across the Tucson and greater Pima County area, including Marana.
Beacon Group offers several types of employment programs. Its supported employment services place individuals in real jobs within the community, with trained job coaches available to provide guidance. In group supported employment, small teams of two to six individuals work together at a local business under the supervision of a Beacon job coach. In individual supported employment, a person is hired directly by a company and receives ongoing coaching to help them succeed independently.
The organization also offers customized employment, which matches an individual’s skills and preferences to a specific business need. Beacon provides job development, placement, and retention services that include resume help, job coaching, and long-term follow-up support. Referrals can come through the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation, or the behavioral health system.
Day Programs and Life Skills Training
For individuals who need to build foundational skills before entering the workforce, several day programs operate in the southern Arizona region. These programs focus on daily living skills, social skills, pre-vocational training, and community participation.
Copa Health offers Community Day Services at multiple locations in Arizona, serving adults and children with developmental disabilities. Their programs focus on five areas of development: cognitive, social and emotional, gross motor, fine motor, and self-help skills. Participants have access to recreation, shopping, community events, and educational activities. Copa Health also provides pre-vocational skills training to help individuals prepare for future employment.
RISE Services of Arizona provides employment services paired with adult day programs throughout the state. RISE begins with a vocational assessment to identify each person’s skills, abilities, and interests. From there, individuals receive life skills training and job-based training to build confidence and competence before entering the workforce. RISE job coaches work directly with individuals at their place of employment to provide hands-on support.
The Opportunity Tree is another nonprofit with over 60 years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arizona. It offers employment services, adult day programs, youth programs, and community living programs.
School-Based Support in Marana
Marana Unified School District provides special education services for students from preschool through high school. Students with identified disabilities receive support through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), developed by a team of educators and parents. Services may include educational evaluations, speech pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
The district also runs an integrated, inclusive preschool for children ages three through kindergarten eligibility. This program serves children with learning challenges alongside their non-disabled peers. For families concerned about a child’s development, the district offers a referral and screening process at no cost.
Transition planning is another important piece of school-based support. Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), schools must help youth with disabilities explore competitive, integrated employment options before considering alternatives like subminimum wage positions. This means students leaving high school should have access to career counseling and referrals to community employment services.
Statewide Resources Available to Marana Residents
Several statewide programs extend their services to the Marana area. The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), part of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, offers supports and services that help individuals exercise independence and engage in their communities. DDD connects eligible individuals with employment services, residential support, and other programs.
ARIZONA@WORK operates workforce offices across the state that provide free employment services, including skills development, job matching, and career planning. These offices serve all job seekers, including those with disabilities, and can connect individuals with assistive technology resources and disability-specific employment support.
Arizona’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) helps seniors and people with disabilities locate services that meet their needs. The AZ Links Screening Tool takes about five to ten minutes to complete and connects individuals with an Information and Referral Specialist who can recommend available programs. Residents can also call 211 Arizona, a free, bilingual hotline available 24 hours a day, to find health, human, and emergency services in their area.
Disability Rights and Advocacy
Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ) is a nonprofit law firm that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. DRAZ provides free legal services related to issues like discrimination, denial of services, abuse, and neglect. Their work also covers accessibility, ensuring that public buildings, websites, and mobile apps meet ADA standards.
The Client Assistance Program at DRAZ specifically supports individuals navigating the vocational rehabilitation system. If someone has a dispute with VR about eligibility, services, or case closure, a CAP advocate can help resolve it. DRAZ also provides self-advocacy guides, templates, and other materials to help individuals understand and exercise their rights.
The Arc of Arizona is another important advocacy organization. It supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through local chapters that offer job training, supported employment, residential services, day programs, and family support.
Getting Connected
The first step toward accessing support is often learning what is available. Marana residents looking for disability-related services can start with these key contacts. For vocational rehabilitation, call AZRSA at 1-800-563-1221. For developmental disability services, contact the Division of Developmental Disabilities at 1-844-770-9500. For general resource connections, call 211 Arizona at any time. For employment programs, reach out to Beacon Group at 520-622-4874 or visit beacongroup.org.
Each person with a disability has unique strengths, goals, and needs. The programs available in and around Marana reflect that reality by offering a wide range of options, from supported employment and job coaching to life skills training and legal advocacy. With the right connections, residents with disabilities can find meaningful paths toward independence, employment, and full community participation.
