Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
by Center on Transition Innovations
Available formats: PDF
The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) works with many community partners and businesses to advocate and provide resources and services to improve the employment, quality of life, security, and independence of older individuals, individuals with disabilities, and their families.
What is the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS)?
The Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) is a federal-state program that serves the population of DARS’ consumers who have disabilities. This division offers vocational rehabilitation to assist people to prepare for, find, or keep a job. DRS has 36 offices across Virginia and each office has a vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor who specializes in supporting transition-aged students and youth as they move from high school to the world of work and adult life.
Who is eligible for Transition Services?
Students or youth may be eligible for DARS if they have a goal to become employed and have a physical, mental, emotional, sensory, or learning disability that interferes with their ability to find and keep a job.
Who should be referred to DARS?
- Students or youth with an Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan
- Students or youth who are not receiving accommodations in high school but may need them later for employment
- Students or youth who are at risk of dropping out of high school
What services can DARS provide?
- Career counseling and guidance
- Vocational evaluation and assessment
- Assistive technology
- Career exploration
- Job shadowing
- Situational assessment
- Job development
- Job coaching
- On the job training
- Training and education after high school
- Job placement, retention, and follow up
How can you be referred or apply for DARS?
Contact the DARS office nearest you or call 1.800.552.5019. Any person may refer an individual for services. With parental consent, school personnel or another community-based service provider may refer a student to DARS.
For more information about DARS, visit www.vadars.org
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Henrico, VA 23229
1.800.552.5019 TTY dial 711