The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services

News Releases

2011

Social Security Administration honors DDS employee The Social Security Administration has honored the deputy director for policy and special programs of the Virginia Disability Determination Services with an award for outstanding performance in implementing two new programs to help claimants with the most severe disabilities receive decisions quickly.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - December 12, 2011
New director named for Virginia’s Olmstead Initiative Catherine Harrison has been named Director of Community Integration for Virginia’s Olmstead Initiative, reporting to the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. In this role, Harrison advises the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Office of the Governor on matters that can impact the independence and community living options of thousands of Virginians with disabilities.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - November 2, 2011
DRS lauds employers for championing disability employment The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services will honor the owner of a pet treat company, two international companies operating in Virginia and the Commonwealth’s AmeriCorps program for their efforts to advance the employment of people with disabilities. DRS will present its annual “Disability Employment Champions” awards on Oct. 12 to six individuals and organizations whose outstanding business and employment practices encourage all Virginians to contribute their skills, ideas and talents to the workforce. DRS Commissioner Jim Rothrock will present the awards in a ceremony at the University of Richmond’s Jepson Alumni Center.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - October 07, 2011
Social Security Administration honors Richmond regional office The Social Security Administration has honored the Richmond Regional Office of the Virginia Disability Determination Services with an award for superior performance. The citation for superior performance from SSA Associate Commissioner Linda M. Dorn of the Office of Disability Determinations recognized the outstanding efforts demonstrated by the Richmond office in leadership, performance, professionalism, quality and public service.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - August 24, 2011
Preparing for Emergencies – Information for People with Disabilities If you or someone close to you has a disability and other access and functional needs, you may have to take additional steps in an emergency. It is important to recognize special needs and make advance preparation before an emergency occurs. To learn more, download the Emergency Preparation PDF File or the Emergency Preparation Text-Only Word File.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - August 26, 2011
Virginia senators honored for service during Commonwealth's "Brain Injury Report Out Day" Two Virginia legislators were honored for their work on behalf of Virginians with disabilities, including veterans, as state agencies gathered to share progress and challenges in serving those with debilitating brain injuries. State senators Linda T. “Toddy” Puller, D-Fairfax, and Ralph S. Northam, D-Norfolk, received the awards during Virginia’s “Brain Injury Report Out Day."
Location and DateRichmond, VA - July 22, 2011
SRC honors four with leadership recognition award Commissioner James A. Rothrock of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services joined the State Rehabilitation Council in announcing the 2011 Roy J. Ward leadership awards for outstanding service and contribution to the field of vocational rehabilitation and the disability community.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - March 11, 2011
Conference participants raise donations for earthquake relief efforts Participants who gathered earlier this week in Norfolk for the annual Virginia Transition Forum raised more than $2,300 for the American Red Cross’ earthquake relief efforts in Japan.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - March 17, 2011
Forum helps youth with disabilities prepare for life beyond high school Nearly 1,000 students, families, advocates and service providers will meet in Norfolk March 14-16 at the Virginia Transition Forum to discuss topics ranging from safe driving, autism, employment and assistive technology to help students with disabilities prepare for a successful transition from school to adulthood.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - March 8, 2011
Media Advisory: Virginia Transition Forum The Virginia Transition Forum, attended by nearly 1,000 students, families, advocates and service providers, presents sessions on topics ranging from safe driving, autism, employment and assistive technology to help students with disabilities prepare for a successful transition from school to adulthood.
Location and DateRichmond, VA - March 8, 2011
Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center wins grant from national autism organization The Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center has won a $25,000 grant to launch a pilot program that will help young adults with autism spectrum disorders develop skills to live independently and join the workforce.
Location and DateFishersville, VA - March 4, 2011
Virginia Assistive Technology specialist named to national task force Barclay Shepard of the Virginia Assistive Technology System has joined the national task force for the Pass It On Center, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education that provides technical assistance to promote the reuse of assistive technology.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - March 2, 2011
DRS assistant commissioner honored by VCCS Joseph M. Ashley, RhD, Assistant Commissioner for Grants and Special Programs at the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, has been honored by Virginia’s Community Colleges for his contributions to the workforce system.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - January 12, 2011

2010

Two named to Virginia Assistive Technology System advisory council Department of Rehabilitative Services Commissioner Jim Rothrock has named two new members to the Virginia Assistive Technology System Advisory Council.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - December 29, 2010
Virginia DDS director honored for leadership The Social Security Administration honored Virginia’s Disability Determination Services with an inaugural leadership award for expanding its capabilities to assist with processing the unprecedented growth in disability claims nationally.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - November 29, 2010
Gov. McDonnell announces over $2 million in funds for older Virginians and Virginians with disabilities Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that more than $2 million in grant funding from the Administration on Aging and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was awarded to the Virginia Department for the Aging and Department of Medical Assistance Services.  The funds will expand and develop new and innovative community-based services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - September 29, 2010
Gov. McDonnell announces $400,000 in economic development grant funding Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that $400,000 in grant funding was awarded to six Employment Services Organizations (ESOs) with local projects designed to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities in areas with employment rates above 10 percent.  The grants, made possible by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), will create more than 70 new jobs and fund a variety of local businesses including an upscale consignment shop, a commercial cleaning business, and a landscaping mobile work crew.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - July 23, 2010
Dr. Jeffrey T. Barth of UVA appointed to Virginia Brain Injury Council Commissioner James A. Rothrock of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) announced today that Dr. Jeffrey T. Barth, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, of Charlottesville, Virginia, was appointed as the Commissioner’s Designee to the Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC).  Dr. Barth is a professor and director of the Brain Injury and Sports Concussion Institute at the University of Virginia, School of Medicine.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - August 2, 2010
New federal contracts open employment opportunities for job seekers with disabilities in Hampton Roads Commissioner James A. Rothrock of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) announced today that Professional Contract Services, Inc. (PCSI), a Texas-based organization that provides employment opportunities through federal contracts, has partnered with DRS and Didlake, Inc. of Manassas to recruit individuals with disabilities for as many as 215 new jobs at military sites in the Hampton Roads region.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - June 10, 2010
Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Foundation receives truck from Dominion Virginia Power The Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Foundation, Inc. today announced that Dominion Virginia Power, through its Dominion Foundation, donated a 2003 Chevrolet Truck, Extended Cab, 4 X 4 for the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC).  The truck, valued at $9,000, will be used to support various maintenance activities necessary to sustain a safe and well-maintained campus environment for faculty, students, and visitors.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - June 1, 2010
Agency honors five with leadership recognition award Commissioner James A. Rothrock of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), along with the Virginia State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), announced today the recipients of the 2010 Roy J. Ward SRC Employee Leadership Recognition Awards for outstanding service and contribution to the field of vocational rehabilitation (VR) and the disability community.
Location and Date Richmond, VA - May 10, 2010