The Department of Family Services' Disability Rights and Resources (DRR) promotes the inclusion and independence of people with disabilities through education, training, and referral assistance, so that persons of all abilities can fully participate in our community.
We believe that all people with disabilities have the right to:
- Equal opportunity
- Health and safety
- Education
- Self-determination
- Well-being
- Customer choice
- Respect
- Inclusion
Fairfax County residents of all ages, races, and varying disabilities.
DRR collaborates with local non-profits on initiatives concentrated around bettering the lives and working conditions of individuals with disabilities.
We manage three contracts that serve people with disabilities: Brain Injury Services, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, and the Northern Virginia Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
We support the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board.
DRR provides training, as well as education and outreach to county residents, local non-profits, and county staff. DRR creates and publishes toolkits, articles, and educational materials to inform the public on their rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Federal Fair Housing Act, and other disability-related laws.
DRR specialists provide support that focuses on:
- Employment,
- Housing,
- Transportation, and
- Emergency Preparedness.
DRR works to:
- change systems to improve access for people with disabilities.
- educate people with disabilities about their rights.
- educate providers about their responsibilities.
- provide the public with technical assistance on disability-related laws.
The Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board (FA-DSB) works to include people with physical and sensory disabilities into mainstream community life. Its activities on behalf of people with physical and sensory disabilities include:
- Informing and educating the public about disability policies and barriers to community mainstreaming.
- Advising elective bodies on issues and policies including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Monitoring compliance with federal, state, and local disability laws.
- Advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.