Developmental Disabilities

Vermont Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The Vermont Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) is the center of the Agency of Human Services' program management and policy development with respect to older persons and persons with disabilities. The DAIL plans, coordinates, administers, monitors, and evaluates state- and federally-funded services for people with developmental disabilities and their families within Vermont. The DAIL provides funding for services, systems planning, technical assistance, training, quality assurance, program monitoring, and standards compliance.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, or VocRehab Vermont (or just VR) is a section of Vermont State government. Its job is to help people with disabilities to prepare themselves for work and find or keep a job. You may contact VR by telephone, mail, or in person at one of the VR regional offices.

Sheltered Employment

VocRehab Vermont is committed to assisting all people with disabilities who want to work. Supported employment provides a wide range of services designed to teach necessary skills, help a person transition into a job, and ensure that employers meet the needs of their employees. For more information, call 866-VRWORKS (866-879-6757).

Competitive Employment

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is part of Vermont Legal Aid, Inc. and can help explain your rights for VR services. CAP can also help settle disagreements with your counselor and can assist in appealing decisions made by your counselor. CAP can provide information about the services available through each agency, explain your rights and responsibilities, help you work out problems with your counselor or the agency, help you with appeals, listen to your concerns and recommend changes in agency policies to improve services for everyone and inform you about your employment rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information, call the St. Johnsbury office at (802) 775-0021 or the Rutland office at 1-800-769-7459

The Vermont Association of Business, Industry and Rehabilitation (VABIR) is Vermont's liaison between private sector employment and skilled workers with disabilities. Working under a program through the US Department of Education called Projects With Industry (PWI), the VABIR provides pragmatic, real-world information to both employers and job-seekers. A person may be unemployed or underemployed due to their disability; VABIR's job is to find a way to use their skills in a way which will circumvent or accommodate a specific disability. VocRehab Vermont works in close partnership with VABIR. For information, contact the VABIR Administrative Office at 1-800-639-2909 or contact:

Health and Safety

The Project WorkSAFE program, Vermont Department of Labor & Industry, seeks to work with the employer to maintain safe working standards. The Project WorkSAFE job Safety and Health Consultation Services Program is available at no charge to businesses in the state of Vermont. For more information on Project WorkSAFE, call the Vermont Department of Labor & Industry - Safety and Health Consultation at 1-888-SAFE-YES (1-888-723-3937).

The Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA), Department of Labor and Industry, provides safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. VOSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Adult Protective Services (APS) is a public safety program within the Division of Licensing & Protection, Department of Aging & Independent Living. APS is tasked with receiving and investigating allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable elderly and disabled adults in Vermont. APS is also involved in community education programs to raise the public awareness of abuse issues, stimulate prevention efforts and educate personal care staff members about their mandatory reporting responsibilities. To report abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, call 1-800-564-1612 or 802-241-2345.

Protection and Advocacy

Another advocacy source is the State Rehabilitation Council, an advocacy group that seeks to increase consumer-directed and effective vocational services and to create resources and services that will result in equal employment opportunities for Vermonters with disabilities.

Vermont Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm organized into specialized projects serving clients from six offices located throughout Vermont. There is no charge for services as Vermont Legal Aid is funded through state and federal grants and by private donations. Vermont Legal Aid helps Vermonters who have low incomes, are elderly or who have disabilities and who have legal problems.

Vermont Protection and Advocacy (VP&A) defends and advances the rights of people with mental health and disability issues. VP&A supports human and civil rights by investigating complaints of abuse and neglect and complaints of violations of individual rights. The VP&A works towards a system that honors the dignity and needs of all people with disabilities. Vermont P&A is a member of the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems. Call or Write VP&A at: