Personal Assistance Services (PAS) may be provided through DRS to individuals with physical disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy, who require assistance from another person to perform non-medical activities of daily living. These services might include transferring, bathing, eating, dressing, or other physical activities that the individual could perform if they did not have a physical disability, Other possible services under PAS include assistive technology evaluation, transition services, and rehabilitation engineering.

DRS manages three PAS programs: VR PAS, funded through Title I of the Rehabilitation Act, has two options for individuals who are currently receiving or who may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services provided through an Employment Plan, The consumer-directed PAS option is available to VR consumers who are able and interested in managing their personal assistant. An agency-managed option is available to individuals who do not wish or are not able to manage their own assistant.

State-funded PAS, a consumer-directed program funded through General Funds, may be available to individuals who do not qualify for PAS services under VR PAS, Medicaid Waiver Services, or any other program. This program is limited in funding and there is generally a waiting list for services. PAS for Individuals with Brain Injury, also consumer -directed in nature, funded through General Funds, may be available to eligible individuals with brain injury who do not qualify for PAS from any other source, Individuals must have a representative to assist in management of the program.

An assessment is required for participation in any of these programs and comparable benefits, such as Medicaid Waiver PAS programs, must examined before PAS services are provided by DRS.

To obtain more information about DRS PAS options, please contact Sharon Stacey at (276) 431-1195 or email her at sharon@junctioncenter.org  . To visit the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services web site click here http://www.vadrs.org  .