Partnerships

This section of the Inclusive Virginia website provides information, instructional strategies, partnerships, and resources for adult education practitioners on supporting adult learners with differing abilities.

Programs should have ongoing, collaborative partnerships with community and advocacy organizations that provide support, education, and services to people with disabilities.

Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS): DARS works with many Community Partners and businesses to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals of employment and/or independence. 

Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities: This grant will help nearly 500 Virginians with disabilities, including young adults and veterans, gain new skills and credentials through Career Pathways to seek employment in competitive, high-demand, high-quality occupations.

Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS): The mission of the Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) is to ensure that Virginians of all ages and abilities can acquire the appropriate, affordable assistive and information technologies and services they need to participate in society as active citizens.

  • About Assistive Technology
  • Acquiring Assistive Technology
  • Assistive Technology Considerations

disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV): dLCV is an organization that provides free information to people and families of those who have {dis}abilities. They also provide free referrals, legal representation, technical assistance, and advocacy services.

Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI): DBVI is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia that is dedicated to its mission of providing services and resources which empower Virginians who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind to achieve their desired levels of employment, education, and personal independence.

Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH): VDDHH promotes accessible communication so that persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing may fully participate in programs, services, and opportunities throughout the Commonwealth.

COVER VA: Medicaid and FAMIS information.

The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center: Education and Workforce Support Services provides instruction, support, and assessment services to WWRC students to enhance employability, vocational training program success based upon the student’s selected career pathway, independence in their community, and the skill foundations to become a life-long learner.

Supports

Additional Information

Transportation

  • Transportation Access: Ensuring people with developmental and other disabilities can utilize public transportation to reach their healthcare providers.
  • ADA Transition Plan – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT): The Virginia Department of Transportation’s mission is to plan, deliver, operate and maintain a transportation system that is safe, enables easy movement of people and goods, enhances the economy and improves quality of life in Virginia.

Testing

Testing accommodations are changes to the regular testing environment and auxiliary aids and services that allow individuals with disabilities to demonstrate their true aptitude or achievement level on standardized exams or other high-stakes tests.

Onsite Learning: Schools, libraries, hotels, markets, theaters, recreation facilities, restrooms, transportation, and any place the public uses or visits should be created in a way that does not hinder independent use by people with disabilities.

Strategies for Building or Fostering Partnerships

Programs should have ongoing, collaborative partnerships with community and advocacy organizations that provide support, education, and services to people with disabilities. Working with partners can also help improve student outcomes and retention. A few key strategies are:

  • Set clear expectations.
  • Develop a communications strategy. 
  • Clearly define the relationship.
  • Determine accountability measures.

Jails

The Department of Justice (DOJ) regulates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which covers state and local governments. These public entities are responsible for the operation or management of juvenile and adult jails, detention and correctional facilities, and community correctional facilities, whether they are operated directly by the state or local government, or through contracts, licenses, or other arrangements with other entities. (§35.151(k) and §35.152)

NOTE: It is important to note that each jail works individually. Instructors should always direct questions and/or seek advice from their ADA Coordinator, ADA Assistant, Superintendent, Sheriff, Program Chief, or other designated lead contact person.

Career Assessment

  • Career One-Stop: Learn about careers, find career information, and locate career resources.
  • Occupational Information Network (O*NET): A free online database that contains hundreds of job definitions to help students, job seekers, businesses and workforce development professionals to understand today’s world of work in the United States.
  • Mi Proximo Paso: Interactive tool for job seekers and students who want to learn more about their career options. Mi Proximo Paso includes tasks, skills, salary information, and over 900 different careers. (Site is in Spanish)
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information on what workers do; the work environment; education, training, and other qualifications.
  • The Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professionals Association: Their mission is committed to improving and advancing the fields of vocational evaluation and career assessment services.

Partnership Resources