Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities began with a $4.3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Led by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, this grant will help nearly 500 Virginians with disabilities, including young adults and veterans, gain new skills and credentials through Career Pathways to seek employment in competitive, high-demand, high-quality occupations.

Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities has 10 project partners in education, workforce development and business. These partners focus on strategies to:

• meet business needs in high-demand occupations
• meet career seekers' needs to attain marketable credentials and find middle-skilled jobs
• train vocational rehabilitation counselors to work with potential clients

Project partners include:

• Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
• Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
• Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center
• George Washington University
• Virginia Community College System
• VCU/Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
• National Disability Institute
• Center for Law and Social Policy
• American Institute for Research
• Virginia Manufacturing Association
• New River/Mt. Rogers Workforce Investment Board
• Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board
• South Central Local Workforce Development Board