DARS administers programs which offer a broad range of services to individuals with disabilities to enhance opportunities for independent living.
These programs allow individuals with the most severe disabilities to live independently and in many cases obtain and maintain employment. Strong support for these community based services (versus nursing home or other institutional care) exists in state government and the disability community. The Division for Community Living staff are available to provide technical assistance and consultation in a wide variety of areas, including: assistive technology, accessing community based services and independent living, personal assistive services, Medicaid, brain injury and spinal cord injury services, case management for people who have long term needs, accessing available resources and loans for Assistive Technology (AT), and the ADA.
If you are seeking assistance in any one of these areas, but don't have a contact number, you may call the Division for Community Living Office at 1-800-552-5019 Voice, 1-800-464-9950 TTY, 804-662-7134 Voice/TTY and we will help you connect with the appropriate resource within our Division.
The Brain Injury Services Coordination (BISC) manages multiple programs, contracts, and federal/state grants that provide brain injury services throughout the state. The BISC Unit serves as a point of contact for customers seeking general information on brain injury and spinal cord injury, or specific resources and referral information about agency services for persons with neurotrauma.
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) provide services and advocacy to promote the leadership, independence, and productivity of people with disabilities. CILs work with both individuals, as well as the local communities, to remove barriers to independence and ensure equality of persons with disabilities.
The DARS Long Term Rehabilitation Case Management (LTRCM) Program assists people with severe physical and sensory disabilities to build a quality of life of their choosing through self-direction, support, and community resources. LTRCM Rehabilitation Specialists provide individualized long-term case management to people across the Commonwealth, as well as outreach and support services to residents of nursing facilities.
This program provides consumer-directed personal assistance services to persons with significant physical disabilities who need assistance in performing daily living activities related to employment or community living.
