WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

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Virginia Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is available to citizens statewide. Virginia's public mental health, intellectual disability and substance abuse services system is comprised of 16 state facilities and 40 locally-run community services boards. The mission of DBHDS is to "provide leadership and service to improve Virginia's system of quality treatment, habitation, and prevention services for individuals and their families whose lives are affected by behavioral health disorders or developmental disabilities.

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
P. O. Box 1797
801 E. Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23218-1797
Phone: 804-786-3921
Voice TDD: 804-371-8977
Fax: 804-371-6638

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

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.

Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center
243 Woodrow Wilson Avenue
Fishersville, Virginia 22939
Voice: 540-332-7000
Toll-free: 800-345-9972
TTY: 800-811-7893
Fax: 540-332-7132

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:

Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23229
Office Voice (Primary Phone) 804-662-7000
Office TTY 804-662-9040
Toll-free TTY: 800-464-9950
Toll-free Voice: 800-552-5019
Office Fax: 804-662-9532

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:

Human Services Program Coordinator
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23229
Phone: 804-662-7127
For information on CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

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:

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
Attention: Safety and Health Consultation Services
13 South 13th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: 804-786-6613
Fax: 804-786-8418

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:

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
Powers-Taylor Building
13 South 13th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: 804-371-2327
TDD: 804-786-2376

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.

Virginia Department of Social Services
801 E. Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: 804-726-7000
Toll Free: 800-552-3431

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.

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
Washington Building
1100 Bank Street, 7th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Voice: 804-786-0016
Fax: 804-786-1118
Toll Free Voice/TTY: 800-846-4464

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.

State Rehabilitation Council
Department of Rehabilitative Services
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23229
Voice: 804-662-7010
Voice Toll-free in Virginia: 800-552-5019
TTY Toll-free in Virginia: 800-464-9950
Fax: 804-662-7644

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.

Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy
1910 Byrd Avenue, Suite 5
Richmond, Virginia 23230
Voice/TTY: 804-225-2042
Voice/TTY: 800-552-3962 (Toll-free in Virginia)
Fax: 804-662-7057