News and Information
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS)
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program was established under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and provides vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities so that they may prepare for and engage in gainful employment. The DRS VR program provides direct services to consumers through its 36 field offices located throughout the Commonwealth. Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center provides consumers with residential or outpatient programs ranging from early medical rehabilitation to complete vocational services and re-entry into the community. In Federal Fiscal Year 2003, the DRS VR program served 30,500 individuals, of whom 93% had significant disabilities. The VR program provides a comprehensive range of services, including vocational evaluation, job placement, career counseling, vocational and academic training, rehabilitation and assistive technology, physical restoration and personal assistance services.
In addition to its Field Rehabilitative Services (FRS) 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.
DRS also works closely with private, non-profit Centers for Independent Living which provide independent living skills, training, advocacy, information and referral and peer counseling for individuals with disabilities.
Reports
- Virginia Disability Survey of 1999 - Executive Summary
- SRC Bylaws
- Current Triennial Needs Assessment
- Current Satisfaction Survey
DRS State Plan
DRS is required to file a State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment with the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration, annually. Topics covered in the State Plan include:
- Rehabilitation and career needs of people with disabilities
- Methods to expand and improve services to meet those needs
- Services provided by Employment Services Organizations (ESOs)
- Quality, scope and extent of Supported Employment services
- Transition of students with disabilities, including students with disabilities who are not in special education programs, from education to vocational rehabilitation.
- 2009 State Plan
An important Attachment to the State Plan summarizes recommendations and advice provided by the SRC to DRS, and presents the agency's response to these recommendations. In the current State Plan (Word), the SRC's advice to DRS is contained in Attachment 4.2(c) (Word).
Each year, DRS conducts special hearings for the purpose of obtaining public input into its State Plan.
2010 State Plan Public Comments (Word)
The SRC and DRS invite public comment at any time to assist in the development of the State Plan. You may submit public comment on the next DRS State Plan to:
Ms. Elizabeth E. Smith
Director of Policy and Planning
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
8004 Franklin Farms Drive (23229)
Richmond, VA 23229
Voice: (804) 662-7071
Voice Toll Free in Virginia: (800) 552-5019
TTY: (804) 662-9040
TTY Toll Free in Virginia: (800) 464-9950
Fax: (804) 662-7696
E-mail: SRC Web
Notice of 2010 Vocational Rehabilitation Public Comment Opportunities
The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and the Virginia State Rehabilitation Council would like to hear your thoughts and opinions about our vocational rehabilitation program and services.
SRC Annual Report
The SRC submits an Annual Report to the Commissioner of the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration and to the Governor of Virginia on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operated within the state.
- 2008 Annual Report (PDF | Large Print - Word)
- 2007 Annual Report (PDF | Large Print - Word)
- 2006 Annual Report (PDF | Large Print - Word)
- 2005 Annual Report (PDF)
- 2004 Annual Report (PDF)
- 2003 Annual Report (Word)
- 2002 Annual Report (Word)
- 2001 Annual Report (Word)
- 2000 Annual Report (Word)
Copies may be obtained by contacting the SRC Liaison at SRC Web.
