Virginia's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Planning Council

Stay Current

Check Out the Spring 2012 Council Connection! The newest edition of Council Connection summarizes new legislation that affects individuals with disabilities. Also included in this issue are: an update on the Commonwealth’s two year budget, an introduction to the new Executive Director of the Partnership for People with Disabilities, and highlights from our 2011 Program Performance Report. To sign up to receive Council Connection, click here.. To sign up to receive Council Connection, click here.

SBE focuses on Voters with Disabilities

The State Board of Elections (SBE) and the Board (VBPD) have recently partnered to educate voters with disabilities about accessibility requirements, processes such as the annual application, absentee voting, and voter registration. Read the Press Release.

2011 Program Performance Report Highlights

Each year the Board reports the results of its grant projects, policy efforts, advocacy training, and other activities. Click here to read the highlights of the Board’s initiatives for Federal Fiscal Year 2011. You can also download the full report.

Historic Settlement Reached

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

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.

Youth Leadership Forum 2012 application materials now available Read More or Download Application, Instructions, and Signature Page.
Partners in Policymaking 2013 application materials now available Read More or Download Application.
Procedures on Requesting Funds for Event/Conference Support revised for 2012 Procedures
A “Blueprint” for the Future: Benchmarks for Evaluating Public Policy in Virginia
Board Policy Positions/Public Comment

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