Virginia receives grant to help train residents with disabiltiies

Published October 9, 2015 by Jessica Sabbath

Virginia has received a $4.3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help Virginians with disabilities train for and seek employment in high-demand jobs.

The five-year grant will be used to address needed enhancements to the commonwealth’s existing career pathway systems to ensure access for Virginians with disabilities.

The project will start in south Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

The DARS Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville will work with the Virginia Manufacturers Association to create a one-week training program. Blue Ridge Community College also is expected to partner on the project.

The federal grant was awarded to only three other states.

The commonwealth and other partners will contribute a minimum of $506,891, or 11 percent of the project’s five-year budget.