What's New at DRS
20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
July 26, 2010 marks the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the ADA, the landmark legislation prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. Read Governor McDonnell’s Proclamation here.
RichmondBizSense - Daylight Donuts Opens with the Specific Goal of Employing Workers with Disabilities
A new donut shop has opened near Innsbrook with the help of stimulus money from the state. Joanne Ellis and her business partner Lance Elwood opened Daylight Donuts with the specific goal of employing workers with disabilities. Ellis and Elwood applied for a grant and received $49,000 in federal stimulus dollars made available through the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. They used that money as part of a $500,000 total investment to open the first Daylight Donut shop in Virginia.
Continue reading about the shop at RichmondBizSense.
Governor McDonnell Reappoints Jim Rothrock as Commissioner of DRS—Read Governor’s News Release
James A. Rothrock, a native of Martinsville, Virginia, has been involved with disability advocacy and programming for more than 40 years. Since 2002, he has served as the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), an agency where he also has served as a counselor, training coordinator, and deputy commissioner... (Read more at the Governor's website)
The 2010 Social Security Red Book on Work Incentive
The 2010 Social Security Red Book on Work Incentives serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve people with disabilities. Go to: http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/. (Currently the 2010 is available in English and the 2009 is available in Espanol.)
Jeffrey T. Barth, Ph.D. of UVA appointed as Commissioner’s Designee on the Virginia Brain Injury Council
Jeffrey T. Barth, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, John Edward Fowler Professor and Director of the Brain Injury and Sports Concussion Institute at the University of Virginia, School of Medicine was appointed as the Commissioner’s Designee to the Virginia Brain Injury Council effective immediately. Read the announcement.
New video by Department of Justice "Ten Employment Myths".
New video by Department of Justice "Ten Employment Myths". Most of the coverage was done on the Eastern Shore, featuring DRS consumers. Several of the consumers on the video also attended WWRC. This was a wonderful opportunity and partnership between DRS and Dept of Justice. To view video, go to: click here
Governor McDonnell’s Housing Policy Advisory Committee Moves Forward in Developing Statewide Housing Policy Framework
Governor Bob McDonnell announces new website for his Housing Policy Advisory Committee. The website (www.VirginiaHousingPolicy.com) contains important information about the housing policy initiative including the Governor’s Executive Order No. 10, meeting dates, and other housing related information for the public. Through the website, the Committee is also seeking comments and ideas from Virginia citizens on ways to provide more affordable housing.
Virginia Named Most Pro-Business State in America
Virginia is the “most pro-business state” in America according to the Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2010 rankings released today. This marks the fourth time the Commonwealth has held the top spot, with previous top rankings garnered in 2003, 2007 and 2009. Read Governor's Release
To view archived stories, click here.
