Good Jobs Change Lives
Everyone deserves the opportunity to find and succeed in meaningful work.
DARS can help individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain employment. Connecting with your local DARS office is a great place to start your employment journey.
What is DARS?
The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) is a state agency. The mission of DARS is to improve the employment, quality of life, security, and independence of older Virginians, Virginians with disabilities, and their families.
DARS oversees many programs across Virginia to support individuals with disabilities in gaining and maintaining employment. Some employment services are delivered directly, and other services are delivered through partnerships with Employment Services Organizations (ESO).
Employment Programs
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep a job. It helps to increase their ability to live independently in their communities. VR works with individuals with every type of disability. VR services include but are not limited to, vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
Pathways to Careers helps individuals with disabilities find successful careers in high-growth industries. This program compliments the services offered by VR by offering individualized employment supports.
WWRC helps individuals with disabilities gain increased independence and employment. Wraparound services are offered in a residential campus setting which fosters independent living skills. Services offered at WWRC include training programs, supported work readiness, student internship programs, and vocational counseling along the path to employment.
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) are nonprofit organizations run by and for people with disabilities, their families, friends, and advocates. They empower people with disabilities to live and work independently in the communities of their choice.
SCSEP provides short-term work experience for income-eligible persons age 55 and older. The program helps seniors find permanent employment by upgrading old skills or learning new ones. SCSEP matches skills, background, and interests with job openings at businesses and agencies.
In-School Youth Programs
Pre-ETS offers students with disabilities an early start at career exploration and preparation for adult life. Beginning at age 14, students with disabilities can connect with DARS for Pre-ETS. Topics covered through Pre-ETS include:
- career exploration
- work-based learning experiences
- exploration of education and training programs for after high school
- workplace readiness training to develop social and independent living skills
- self-advocacy
Project SEARCH is an innovative employment training program that provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills for young adults with disabilities.
Tools for Your Employment Journey
Your life is a unique journey. Use these tools as you explore what employment means to you.
Work & Disability Benefits
Work Incentives Special Advocates assist DARS clients and their families in managing income and benefit reporting, ensuring they understand how employment affects their benefits. Ask your DARS counselor about whether working with a WISA would be an appropriate part of your Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)
Traveling to Work
The Virginia Trip Planner helps people plan trips with bus, rail, bikeshare, carpools, vanpools, and walking anywhere around the Commonwealth. You can use the trip planner on a computer, or through a mobile app.