Own Your Own Path: Navigating Your Disability with Confidence and Clarity
ECNV offers this 6-module training series in self-advocacy to help people explore and prepare for future opportunities. Through lectures, group discussions, worksheets, tutorials, case studies, and role play, this class will help you learn how to ask for disability-related services and confidently take part in conversations about your disability.ECNV is a Center for Independent Living led by people with disabilities who provide advocacy and services to people with disabilities in Northern Virginia.
Participants will learn to:
Understand how their wants and needs relate to accommodations and modifications.
Navigate IEP Meetings, interact with Disability Services at College, and request workplace accommodations while exercising skills in self-advocacy.
Understand disability disclosure, environments where it may be necessary, and why it is a personal choice.
Communicate assertively when advocating for their wants, needs, and future goals.
Use self-determination in creating SMART goals as they plan for their future.
Youth and Young Adult Trainings (14-22yrs old)
ECNV offers this training class to help youth and young adults with disabilities confidently talk about their disability, wants, and needs as they relate to accommodations and modifications. Registration is required for those not referred by their DARS counselor or DD Waiver Support Coordinator. All interested individuals (or DARS counselors and Support Coordinators) are welcome to ask questions at info@ecnv.org.
Upcoming Youth Course Dates:
November 9-13: Fall Session
Registration Closes Oct 26
Feb 8-12: Winter Session
Registration Not Yet Open
Training Curriculum
Module 1: Learn more about disability and understand your wants and needs
Module 2: Learn how to participate in your IEP meetings, secure accommodations through Disability Services, and workplace accommodations
Module 3: Explore when and how to share your disability status
Module 4: Explore assertive communication when discussing your disability and needs
Module 5: Role-play scenarios to practice disclosing, participating in IEP meetings, and requesting accommodations
Module 6: Use self-determination to create a plan for learning more about your disability, securing accommodations, and practicing disclosure conversations
Target Audience
Own Your Path is perfect for people with disabilities who want to learn how to ask for disability accommodations and feel confident in participating in conversations about their disability.
How to Participate in the Class
If you are interested in participating in a class:
Reach out to your DARS counselorReach out to your DD Waiver Support Coordinator (FIS Waiver only)
Complete the online registration by clicking the appropriate registration link above
Complete this Interest Form and one of our staff will follow up with you – only for those 23 yrs old and older”
If you are DARS counselor interested in scheduling a class for a group of your clients, please reach out to Hannah Roberts at hannahr@ecnv.org.
Accessibility & Accommodations
Own Your Path trainings are held either virtually or in-person. For trainings held virtually, participants will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone (or other electronic device with audio / visuals) to participate. For in-person trainings, training locations will vary depending on the request for the group training. Reasonable accommodations and computer access may be requested in the registration form. Any questions about the program or accessibility are welcome at info@ecnv.org