What's new at VDRS?
Virginia Currents Interviews DRS Commissioner Jim Rothrock
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Nine Receive Honors for ‘Championing’ Disability Employment
On October 2, 2009, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), in partnership with Dominion, will host its Fourth Annual Disability Employment Champions Awards Luncheon to honor nine new recipients for outstanding practices in hiring, accommodating, and supporting workers with disabilities. Read more of the News Release.
Former Governor Kaine announces Virginia Recognized Among "Five Best States to Start a Business"
Virginia is recognized among the "Five Best States to Start a Business.", according to the U.S. News & World Report this week. This recognition comes on the heels of the Commonwealth's sixth number one ranking for its pro-business environment. During Former Governor Kaine's administration, Virginia has also been recognized as the most business-friendly state in America (Forbes.com 2006-2008), one of the best states for business (CNBC 2007 and 2008), the top-performing state government in America (Governing Magazine 2008) and the state where "a child is most likely to have a successful life (Education Week 2007)." Read more on the Governor's website.
Former Governor Kaine Announces Latest No. 1 Pro-Business Ranking for Virginia
Former Governor Kaine announces that Virginia’s pro-business environment has garnered the Commonwealth its latest No. 1 ranking nationally. The top slot accorded to Virginia this week by Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc., a top U.S. corporate site relocation expert, marks the third time the company has recognized the state with its highest ranking and is the sixth time overall that the Commonwealth has received national recognition as the most business-friendly state under the leadership of Former Governor Kaine. Read Governor's News Release
Virginia State Rehabilitation Council 2008 Annual Report
- SRC 2008 Annual Report (Word)
- SRC 2008 Annual Report (PDF)
Spreading Awareness for Workers with Disabilities
"For more than six decades the month of October has been dedicated to recognizing disabled people in our country. All year, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services helps disabled people maximize their employment opportunities and independence in society." Read more and watch related video on the charlottesvillenewsplex.tv web site.Comcast Newsmakers Interview
Watch our Comcast Newsmakers interview featuring DRS Commissioner Jim Rothrock on CNN Headline News, which was shown during the month of October, 2008. Segments aired at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour on Comcast channel 26, in Richmond and Chesterfield.
Former Governor Tim Kaine's acceptance speech
Watch a video of Former Governor Tim Kaine accepting the award for being a "Disability Employment Champion".
Hi, I'm Tim Kaine. I regret I am unable to be with you in person, but would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services for selecting me as the first person to be honored as a "Disability Employment Champion".
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Here is the full text transcript of the speech:
Hi, I'm Tim Kaine. I regret I am unable to be with you in person, but would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services for selecting me as the first person to be honored as a "Disability Employment Champion".
As many of you know, I have long been an advocate for persons with disabilities as a lawyer and as a public servant. I firmly believe that persons with disabilities are a vital part of both the commonwealth, and our nation's workforce. That is why I wholeheartedly supported the Virginia Medicaid Buy In Program when I was chairman of the Virginia Disability Commission. I want everyone to have the freedom to work without having to worry about losing their Social Security benefits.
I would like to give a special thanks to my fellow awardees for your commitment to "championing" the employment of people with disabilities. Your partnership with the Department of Rehabilitative Services is vital to realizing the agency's mission to empower individuals, so that they can maximize their employment, independence and become fully included in all aspects of our commonwealth. Thanks, and again to the other award recipients: congratulations.
State Agency Honors Governor and Eight Others with New Award
Richmond - In commemoration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and Dominion Resources, Inc. co- hosted the First Annual Disability Employment Champions Awards Breakfast on October 24, 2006 at Virginia Crossings Resort in Glen Allen, Virginia. Read the entire report in Word Format.
Virginia's AmeriCorps & DRS: A Partnership for Disability Inclusion in Volunteer Service
Persons with disabilities contribute a wide range of talents to our communities and desire opportunities to serve in significant ways. Virginia's AmeriCorps has developed a partnership with the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) to expand volunteering opportunities to persons with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability (or work with persons with disabilities) interested in volunteering time to community service, please visit http://www.vaservice.org/americorps/inclusion.html.
New Resources Focus on Safety during Emergencies for Workers with Disabilities
Assistant Secretary Roy Grizzard has announced the issuance of Preparing the Workplace for Everyone, a comprehensive template of guidelines to help federal agencies integrate the needs of workers with disabilities into emergency preparedness plans. The template was developed by the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities' Workplace Subcommittee, which is chaired by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). ODEP has also launched a new web page on Emergency Preparedness, which includes the template of guidelines as well as additional resources.
Secretary Chao Announces 2005 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme, "Workers with Disabilities: Ready for Tomorrow's Jobs Today"
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao this week announced the official theme for October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. To read the News Release, please go to http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20051102.htm
On-Line Video for Employers: 10 SMALL BUSINESS MISTAKES
New thirteen-minute video identifies common mistakes that small businesses make when trying to comply with the ADA and addresses the importance and value of doing business with 50 million people with disabilities. The video features statements by store owners expressing their doubts or misunderstandings about the ADA, followed by explanations about the law in common sense terms. To view video, go to http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/videogallery.htm.
