Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

DARS' mission: to improve the employment, quality of life, security, and independence of older Virginians, Virginians with disabilities, and their families.

DARS includes the Adult Protective Services Division, the Division for Community Living, including aging services and disability programs, Disability Determination Services, the Division of Rehabilitative Services, Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, the Office of Community Integration and the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC)

The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center 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.

Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VDBVI)

The Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) is committed to providing quality services to assist Virginia's citizens who are blind, deafblind or vision impaired in achieving their maximum level of employment, education, and personal independence. The Department provides an array of specialized service, but the primary focus is on helping consumers achieve quality employment outcomes. DBVI operates the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI) which teaches Virginians with severe visual impairments strategies and skills to adapt to living without sight, or teaches those with partial vision how to use remaining sight more effectively. Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB) works in coordination with the DBVI Services Division and the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI) to provide a full range of employment, training, and other vocational services to blind individuals across the Commonwealth.

Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH)

The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, “Offering Keys to Communication,” works to reduce the communication barriers between persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who are hearing, including family members, service providers, and the general public. The foundation of all programs at VDDHH is communication—both as a service (through interpreters, technology, and other modes) and as a means of sharing information for public awareness (through training and education).

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)

VBPD serves as Virginia's Developmental Disabilities (DD) 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.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology devices, services or accommodations may help consumers live and work independently. Services and supports are also available to businesses to improve workplace accessibility. Resources are available for obtaining equipment through the Virginia Assistive Technology System and the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority.