I Am Self-Advocacy Program
ECNV offers this eight-week, virtual, peer mentoring program in self-advocacy for transition-aged youth with disabilities. This program will help participants build skills and understanding in the following areas: self-awareness, disability awareness and disclosure, self-determination, disability rights and responsibilities, assertiveness, allies, and advocacy. Weekly group sessions will be led by ECNV’s Program Facilitators. Participants will also meet with their peer mentors once a week for individual sessions. Our peer mentors all have lived experience with disability and can connect with participants on this shared perspective.
ECNV is a Center for Independent Living led by people with disabilities who provide advocacy and services to people with disabilities in Northern Virginia.
Schedule:
Winter Session 2026
Referral Deadline: December 15, 2025
Timeframe: January 12 – March 13
Group Sessions | 4:30am – 6:00pm, Tuesday or Wednesday
Group Session 1: January 13th or 14th
Group Session 2: January 20th or 21st
Group Session 3: January 27th or 28th
Group Session 4: February 3rd or 4th
Group Session 5: February 10th or 11th
Group Session 6: February 17th or 18th
Group Session 7: February 24th or 25th
Group Session 8: March 3rd or 4th
Participants meet once weekly for individual sessions with their peer mentor. These are scheduled based on the participant’s availability.
Program Curriculum:
Self-Awareness: strengths, abilities, interests, and ambitions
Disability Awareness: needs and concerns, disability perspectives, accommodations, and disability disclosure
Self-Determination: requesting accommodations, decision-making, and discovering options
Rights and Responsibilities: disability history, laws, IEPs, and workplace accommodations
Assertiveness: problem-solving, communication, how to accept feedback, and identifying different communication styles
Allies: circle of support, how to listen to and work with others, and using empathy to connect with others
Advocacy: goal-setting, making plans, and communication information
Participants will learn to:
Make decisions that correlate to their strengths, interests, and future goals.
Identify the accommodations they need to be successful today and explore accommodations they may need in the future.
Be more active in their educational and career journeys.
Involve people in their lives who can help them achieve their goals and advocate for their needs.
Communicate their goals and needs to others in effective ways.
Target Audience:
I Am Self-Advocacy is perfect for transition-aged students with disabilities who want to build a stronger foundation in self-advocacy skills as they transition to adulthood.
Accessibility & Accommodations:
I Am Self-Advocacy will be held virtually. Participants will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone (or other electronic device with audio / visuals) to participate. Reasonable accommodations and computer access may be requested in the Pre-Program Survey. Any questions about the program or accessibility are welcome at info@ecnv.org.
How to Participate in the Program:
If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Paul Whitney at paulw@ecnv.org.
Alternatively, you can reach out to your DARS counselor, special education teacher, or Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) for assistance.
If you are a DARS counselor interested in scheduling a program session with a group of your clients, please reach out to Paul Whitney at paulw@ecnv.org.