ECNV Interviews Big Ocean (K-Pop Band)
ECNV is excited to share the finalized interview conducted with Big Ocean, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-pop Band by Cali Willcockson, that was recently highlighted for a RAMP career exploration unit. With ECNV’s support Kevina and Cali also brought some of the RAMP students to the concert. As you know, this event was an incredible opportunity for the students to explore a unique and inspiring career path and to witness first-hand how individuals with disabilities overcome challenges, receive accommodations, and can thrive and succeed in the entertainment industry. This collaboration was incredibly empowering for our students, seeing people like themselves be global successes.
In addition to the band, we also highlighted their management company, Parastar, which is currently the only talent agency in South Korea solely representing people with disabilities—from musicians to Paralympians. Their commitment to disability inclusion and empowerment was a powerful message for our RAMP students.
Big Ocean generously provided ECNV with three press passes for both the concert and the interview. We want to acknowledge Dan Kolanky, a volunteer photographer who did an exceptional job capturing the event and moments with the RAMP students.
Adult Social Club Visits the International Spy Museum
On Friday, August 15, 2025, ECNV travel trainer Mindy Niland took a group of students for another social group outing. On this outing, they hopped onto the Yellow Line to visit the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.
Image: Travel trainer Mindy Niland takes a selfie with a female Adult Social Club member.
Big Congratulations to Our Very Own Kevina Brown!
On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) awarded Kevina with the RAMP Coordinator Award !!!
Image: (Left to Right) Director of Programs Hannah Roberts, Manager of Youth Programs Paul Whitney, RAMP Program Coordinator Kevina Brown, and Peer Mentor Carlos Marquez. Kevina is holding her award.
2025 Virtual Special Education Summit in Spanish
On Saturday, August 16, PEATC, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education, held the 2025 Virtual Special Education Summit in Spanish. This virtual event, which was presented entirely in Spanish, brought together parents of students with disabilities and professionals to better understand special education and discover resources that help meet the needs of our community.
(Left): A flyer of the event reading in Spanish “Cumbre Education Especial.” ; (Right): a picture of the speakers of the event, including Rosalia Fajardo.
(Bottom): Jimena Barron wearing a red blouse and glasses.
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church’s Multicultural Celebration & Health Fair and Back to School
On a beautiful sunny Saturday, August 16, ECNV staff Margarita Baquero and David Aguayo attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Church’s Multicultural Celebration & Health Fair and Back to School event hosted by Fairfax County Community Services and Health Department. Testing/screenings were provided by the Fairfax County CareVan. ECNV sponsored the Bienveniodos Todos Project for this back-to-school event.
(Left): Davis Aguayo from ECNV providing information to a female in a pink pant floral blouse; (Right): Javier Alarcon, a Caucasian man in a blue t-shirt and brown shorts, Rosalia Fajardo, Claudia Thomas from Fairfax County Public Schools in a blue blouse and jeans.
Minnie H. Peyton Community Center Back-to-School Event
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, ECNV participated in a successful Back-to-School event at Minnie H. Peyton Community Center at Bailey's Crossroads area of Falls Church. This event was organized by Fairfax County Community Services and Health Department, and had around 700 attendees. Partners distributed 400 backpacks at this “Back to School” event!
(Left): ECNV Travel Trainer Margarita Baquero, in a blue t-shirt and pants, Rosalia Fajardo in a black blouse, white pants and Jimena Barron wearing a white ECNV t-shirt and black pants; (Right): Bienvenidos organizer Jimena Barron, in a white blouse and black pants, interacting with attendees.
(Bottom): Rosalia Fajardo in a black blouse and white pants, posing with an African American boy using a wheelchair.
Bienvenidos Fall 2025 Updates
El proyecto Bienvenidos Todos tiene como objetivo promover la igualdad de acceso a los derechos, servicios y oportunidades de las personas con discapacidad para los latinos de Virginia con discapacidades y sus familias. Este proyecto demuestra un compromiso compartido tanto por el Centro de Endendencia del Norte de Virginia (ECNV) como por la Junta de Virginia para Personas con Discapacidades (VBPD) para garantizar la igualdad de acceso para múltiples comunidades marginadas, incluidas aquellas cuyo idioma principal es el español. Este proyecto sirve a las comunidades latinas en el norte de Virginia, Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads, Roanoke, Harrisonburg y Richmond.
Hemos estado ocupados preparándonos para un otoño completo de ofrendas. Para obtener más información, visite la página del proyecto Bienvenidos.
RAMP Makes Waves at the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta!
On August 9, 2025, RAMP participants went out to the waters and competed in the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta. RAMP's boat stayed afloat and all stayed dry!!
Image: RAMP participants rowing and competing in the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta.
Dreamers Mothers in Action Informational Luncheon Meeting
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Dreamers Mothers in Action, DMIA in partnership with ECNV, hosted an informational session with community leaders at the luncheon meeting, with the support of several communities that work directly with immigrants affected by the increase in criminalization and detention policies. We were pleased with your presence for this informational session with eight general Latin American consuls who provided useful information about services for their communities.
(Left): A group of Consuls, male and female; (Right): Margarita Baquero and Rosalia Fajardo. (Bottom): Lenka Mendoza in a pink t-shirt next to her Margarita Baquero ECNV travel Trainer wearing an ECNV T-shirt and black jeans.
Disability Rights Podcast Interviews ECNV Travel Trainers
The Disability Rights Podcast interviewed various groups of persons with disabilities at the NCIL Conference! Surprise, surprise! Two of ECNV travel trainers, Mindy Niland and Karen Arnett were interviewed and talked about travel training!
Photo: ECNV travel trainers, Mindy Niland and Karen Arnett.
ECNV Partners with Fairfax County for Health and Wellness Fair
On Saturday, July 12, 2025, ECNV partnered with Fairfax County to co-host a health and wellness fair. We had a great opportunity to serve and provide resources to the Latino and other communities residing in the Berkdale Apartments. We provided a lot of great service and information to the residents and community.
(Left), Participants at the health fair and Rosalia Fajardo surrounded by attendees; (Right) Center image description: a white woman in a light blue blouse, a boy in a grey t-shirt, Rosalia Fajardo, a mother in a grey sport t-shirt and two Latina women in purple blouses.
Tecnología de Asistencia en Virginia: Herramientas que Abren Puertas
Tal vez fue el asistente de voz de tu teléfono recordándote una cita, o unos audífonos con cancelación de ruido que te ayudaron a concentrarte. Para millones de personas, estas comodidades cotidianas forman parte de un mundo mucho más amplio: el mundo de la tecnología de asistencia (TA).
ALT: “La tecnología de asistencia abre puertas a la independencia.” The background is a close-up view of a hispanic boy weathering a grey cochlear implant.
ECNV ENDependents
The ECNV ENDependents had fun on Friday, July 25, 2025 at the Arlington Chipotle.
Collage: (Top Row) A group photo of ECNV ENDependents; (Bottom), Lorena with two ECNV ENDependents; Samantha Wentling with ECNV ENDependents.
NCIL Hill Visits
On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, ECNV staff visited Rep. Don Beyers office met staff Julia Kravitz (ECNV staff members Tim, Laura, Lorena, Samantha, Joe Albert) also pictured with state delegate Alfonso Lopez.
Image: From Left to Right: Disability Outreach Coordinator Lorena Granados, Administrative Assistant Samantha Wentling, State Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Laura, ECNV Deputy Executive Director Tim Fuchs and Independent Living Specialist Joe Albert.
ECNV Honored During Disability Pride Month
On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, The County of Arlington honored ECNV during a board meeting, in which they recognized ECNV's contributions to the disability community at large. ECNV Strategic Partnerships Rosalia Fajardo accepted this award on ECNV's behalf.
Collage: (Left to Right), a group photo from persons with disabilities, Rosalia Fajardo with the County of Arlington board; a closer look at the presentation; (Bottom) Rosalia Fajardo posing with the award.
DME Donations!
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Emily and Samantha received nine donated rollators from Verizon in Ashburn, VA. Two recipients of the rollators, Amanda and Robin, joined to take home their new wheels.
Image: Emily Kudron and Samantha Wentling with DME recipients and Verizon donors.
NCIL March
On Monday, July 21, 2025, ECNV staff Andrew Shaw and Elaine Shaw participated in the NCIL March to the US Capitol. This year's conference was her third time participating and first time participating in the march itself. Disability Outreach Coordinator Lorena Granados and ECNV intern, Laura Kim, also participated.
Collage (Left to Right), Lorena Granados, Andrew Shaw and Susan Picerno; ECNV intern Laura Kim, Lorena Granados and Andrew Shaw, ECNV intern Laura Kim, Lorena Granados marching together, Travel trainer Andrew Shaw and ECNV’s social media person, Elaine Shaw posing together for a selfie.
ECNV's Adult Social Club Takes Flight!
On Friday, July 11, 2025, ECNV's Adult Social Club Outing took to the metro for lunch, 7/11 slushies and to see the new Superman movie.
Image: ECNV's Adult Social Club at a movie theatre, waiting to see the new Superman movie.
RAMP is Flying into Education
In June, the Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program participated in STEM Learning.
They wrapped up June with a thrilling and educational trip to iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Ashburn, VA!
Image: Two RAMP students experiencing ifly skydiving in an air vacuum.