Developmental Disabilities

Virginia Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) responds to the needs of adults with disabilities over the age of 18 and other adults with specific needs. The VDSS also collaborates with the local departments of social services across the state and other local service providers to offer assistance to adults with disabilities who need help with care, transportation and nutrition services. In addition, VDSS also helps adults involved in domestic violence situations; adults in need of financial assistance, energy assistance and food stamps benefits; and citizens who believe they have been discriminated against by a social services agency. The local department of social services is the setting for direct client contact. Local agency staff determine eligibility for participation in service and assistance programs, authorize payments to clients and vendors for services, approve providers, and provide direct services to adults 18 years of age and older who have a disability.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC), a Division of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, is the first state-owned and operated comprehensive rehabilitation center in the country. WWRC provides comprehensive medical, assistive technology and vocational rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities to help them gain increased independence and employment.

In partnership with people with disabilities and their families, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) collaborates with the public and private sectors to provide and advocate for the highest quality services that empower individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and full inclusion into society. The DRS provides vocational rehabilitation services through the 40 regional offices located across the state. To learn more about DRS programs write or call:

Sheltered Employment

In addition to its Field Rehabilitative Services program, DRS has strong partnerships with many community-based rehabilitation providers across the Commonwealth and supports facility-based employment and supported employment services for the Employment Services Organizations (ESOs), the community rehabilitation providers in Virginia. These services are generally employment-related and require that individuals spend time on a job site under the supervision of a job coach. A referral to the sheltered workshop by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, Office of Employment Services & Special Programs, is required. To locate the nearest Sheltered Workshop and to check eligibility, contact the Office of Employment Services & Special Programs, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services at:

Competitive Employment

The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services' (DRS) partners with community rehabilitation providers to provide employment and vocational services throughout the state. The DRS is required by Federal and State mandates to establish and monitor standards for Employment Services Organizations providing vocational services to persons with disabilities. In September 1998, DRS established that CARF National Standards would be used for Virginia Employment Services Organizations providing vocational services to consumers. For information on DRS and its standards requirements, the contact is:

Health and Safety

To help employers better understand and voluntarily comply with the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health standards, the Department of Labor and Industry provides On-Site Consultation services. This program helps employers identify and correct potential safety and health hazards. Priority is given to high hazard workplaces with 250 or fewer employees. For further information, contact:

The Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH), protects and promotes the safety and health of Virginia's workers in their workplaces. The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board establish Virginia Occupational Safety and Health regulations and standards, a regulatory board appointed by the Governor. The VOSH program operates within the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). Virginia has programs that protect employees while providing an opportunity for employers to work cooperatively with VOSH. For further information contact:

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Adult Protective Services (APS), Virginia Department of Social Services, investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults with a disability or to the elderly, and provides services when persons are found to be in need of protective services. The goal of APS is to protect a vulnerable adult's life, health, and property with a loss of liberty. To report suspected financial exploitation or other kinds of abuse to the elderly or adults with a disability, call the Virginia Department of Social Services' 24-hour, Toll-free Adult Protective Services hotline at: (888) 832-3858.

Protection and Advocacy

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) serves as Virginia's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Planning Council. DD Councils are in every state and territory of the United States. They work for the benefit of individuals with DD and their families to identify needs and help develop policies, programs and services that will meet these needs in a manner that respects dignity and independence. Under mandate of federal and state law, VBPD works to promote and guide public policy changes and create opportunities for new approaches in service delivery systems.

The Virginia State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is a group of individuals, most of whom have disabilities, appointed by the Governor to work on behalf of people with disabilities by serving as a source of advice, information, and support for the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Rehabilitative Services' vocational rehabilitation and supported employment programs. The SRC constantly is searching for ways to communicate with DRS consumers, other people with disabilities, and those who support them.

The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) protects individuals with mental illness or other disabilities from abuse, neglect, discrimination, and other violations of their legal or human rights. They also help people with disabilities obtain services and treatment. Callers with problems targeted in VOPA's program priorities may also receive free advocacy services and/or free legal representation.