Virginia's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Planning Council

Stay Current

Historic Settlement Reached

DOJ and VA reach settlement regarding transitioning individuals from institutions to community settings.

Check Out Winter 2012 Council Connection! The Governor’s proposed 2013 and 2014 budget includes a variety of spending initiatives and reductions that will affect individuals with disabilities. The newest edition of Council Connection summarizes key provisions and provides information on asset development, voter registration and housing issues. To sign up to receive Council Connection, click here.. To sign up to receive Council Connection, click here.

Requests for Proposals It’s time for the competitive grant process to begin—check out the RFP Booklet for federal FY 2013. Letters of interest (step one of the process) for the 2 RFPs are due by January 31, 2012. This year, the Board’s RFP objectives focus on the areas of community supports and education. Download the 2013 RFP booklet, forms, and other important information regarding these 100% federally-funded grant awards. Read More.

Available now: 2011 Assessment of the Disability Service System Interested in the disability services system in Virginia? Check out the Board's latest edition of the Assessment—available online and on CD. It's a comprehensive resource for policy makers, advocates, families, and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth.

DOJ Finds VA in Violation of ADA: Read More
Youth Leadership Forum 2012 application materials now available Read More or Download Application & Signature Page.
Partners in Policymaking 2013 application materials now available Read More or Download Application.
VBPD Public Comments on the Development of a Plan to Transition Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities from State Training Centers to Community-based Settings. Download the Public Comment PDF.
A “Blueprint” for the Future: Benchmarks for Evaluating Public Policy in Virginia

Stay Current with VBPD: Read More "What's New"!

Welcome to Our Web Site!

Welcome to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) website. VBPD serves as Virginia's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Planning Council. DD Councils are in every state and territory of the United States. They work for the benefit of individuals with DD and their families to identify needs and help develop policies, programs and services that will meet these needs in a manner that respects dignity and independence.

Under mandate of federal and state law, VBPD works to promote and guide public policy changes and create opportunities for new approaches in our service delivery systems. VBPD is proud to have enriched the lives of Virginians with developmental and other disabilities by investing in over 200 best practice, model demonstration and research grant projects that have created change in the areas of education, employment, housing, early intervention, transportation, recreation, and community integration. We work with many public and private groups across the state and nationally to identify best practices, new approaches, and collaborative ventures that facilitate our mission and increase the independence, productivity, and integration of people with disabilities in our Commonwealth.

A key aspect of our work is to advise the Governor, legislators and government agencies on public policy issues as well as on how to develop programs and services for people with DD that will eliminate barriers to full inclusion in all facets of community life. We believe that people with disabilities and their family members play a critical role in identifying needs and in having a say in the policies and programs that affect their lives. Twenty four of our 40 Board members are individuals with disabilities, parents, or family members of individuals with disabilities. Their experiences and perspectives play a vital role in guiding our ongoing efforts to ensure responsive, individualized, and flexible systems of services and supports in our communities.

We look forward to working with you on the important issues and challenges ahead and hope that you find the information and resources on this website helpful.

Heidi Lawyer
Executive Director