ECNV’s Be in the Know: April 2025
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Stay Informed: Monthly Awareness Highlights
04/01/25: ECNV's 43rd Anniversary!!!
All Month: Autism Awareness Month
All Month: Parkinson's Awareness Month
04/15/25: National ASL Day
04/22/25: Earth Day
Bienvenidos Todos Webinar Series
Save the Date: May 8, 2025 is the next Bienvenidos Webinar!
Bienvenidos Todos will host webinar presentations about disability resources and services especially for Latinos with disabilities, their families, caregivers, advocates, and those who serve Latinos. Monthly webinars will cover disability topics especially as they pertain to Latinos and their different residency statuses.
These webinars will be held the second Thursday of the month from 1:00 – 2:00 pm in English only and from 7:00-8:30 pm in Spanish only. We will ask you for optional demographic information so we can report to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities as our funding source. Once registered, we will send you email updates as reminders for each webinar.
Register Today for Bienvenidos ››
Transportation News:
Maryland driver’s licenses will now have option for ‘nonapparent disability’ title
A new bill passed in the Maryland General Assembly would, once signed into law, allow for driver’s license applicants to ask for a nonapparent disability designation. If Gov. Wes Moore signs HB0707, also known as Eric’s ID Law, it would go into effect on Oct. 1.
License applicants could choose to show that they have a condition that isn’t visibly apparent, such as deafness, autism, or other mental or developmental disabilities, on a driver’s license, moped permit or other official identification card issued by the state.
Arlington Transit iRide Card for Students
Are you a student in Arlington with places to go, people to see, and things to do? Look no further than iRide – your ticket to getting around Arlington on transit. With iRide, you can access ART, Metrobus, and Metrorail, ensuring you always have a reliable ride at your fingertips.
With an iRide SmarTrip card, it’s easy for students to get around Arlington by transit independently and safely.
iRide Card for Arlington Students ››
Waymo Comes to Washington, DC!
On. March 27, 2025, Waymo One, the world’s leading fully autonomous ride-hailing service, will be ready for riders in the nation’s capital on the Waymo One app in 2026. The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) proudly celebrated Waymo’s expansion into Washington, DC, calling it a significant opportunity to advance accessible, autonomous transportation for people with disabilities.
Official Waymo Announcement ››
Legislative Updates:
Act Now to Break the Cycle of Poverty for SSI Recipients and End the Marriage Penalty!
Millions of low-income people with disabilities and older adults receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) each month. For these recipients, SSI is a modest but vital source of income. However, people with disabilities and older adults who receive SSI are trapped in a cycle of enforced poverty.
More News to Explore:
DARS Seeking Public Comment on Virginia's Amended State Plan for Aging Services
The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) has released draft amendments to the State Plan for Aging Services to ensure alignment with updated federal regulations under the Older Americans Act. These amendments address key areas, including Grab and Go meals and Program Development and Coordination Activities.
Have feedback? A 30-day public comment period will be held from March 24 to April 23.
Submit comments via:
• Online: https://bit.ly/4i8i2ff
• Email: stateagingplan@dars.virginia.gov
• Mail: 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Henrico, VA 23229
• Fax: (804) 662-7663
To learn more about the amended State Plan for Aging Services and the public input process, visit: https://bit.ly/4i4velo
Celebrate Disability Book Week: Stories That Inspire & Educate
When: April 20-26, 2025
What: Disability Book Week encourages individuals all over the world to become more inclusive with what they read by reading a book that features characters with disabilities.
Discover More About Disability Book Week ››
Early Bird registration rates for NCIL's 2025 Conference
Early Bird registration rates for NCIL’s 2025 Annual Conference on Independent Living end May 1! This year’s conference will be held July 21-24 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC.
The theme for this year’s conference is LEVEL UP: Building Tomorrow Together.
Visit their Annual Conference website to review the agenda and workshops, register, and book your hotel room:
NCIL 2025 Conference Registration ››
NVRC CPR/AED Training - ASL Interpreted
Join the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC) in partnership with the Fairfax County Health Department for a free in-person CPR/AED training workshop with ASL interpretation.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
NVRC Headquarters
10467 White Granite Drive, Suite 300, Oakton, VA 22124
This is a hands-on, life-saving class designed especially for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Limited spots available!
• 20 hands-on students (receive certificate)
• 20 observers (no certificate, but welcome to attend)
Register now to reserve your spot ››
Virginia Brain Injury Council Seeking New Members
The Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC) is a statewide advisory council made up of individuals living with brain injury, their family members and caregivers, health related organizational members, state-funded direct service and advocacy providers, and state agency representatives. As they work to bring attention to the challenges individuals with brain injuries face, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services encourages you to consider applying to join the Virginia Brian Injury Council.
To learn more about the VBIC or apply for membership, visit: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/vbic.htm#gsc.tab=0.
Contact: Donna Cantrell – donna.cantrell@dars.virginia.gov | (804) 662-7069
Map Your Future!
Are you or someone you know in school and starting to think about career options? Be sure to consider DARS' Map Your Future event in 2025, designed to help students plan for a successful future and explore their career paths. This program is for students in high school who are deaf, hard of hearing or blind.
Registration deadline is June 2, 2025. Contact Traci Branch for questions.
Map Your Future Register today! ››
Become a Tech Mentor!
Do you use technology in your daily life? Become a Tech Mentor at The Arc of Virginia. You must be at least 18 years old, have a developmental disability, regularly use technology and be supportive of others.
Having a Hard Time Paying Your Heating Bill?
Do you need help to pay your energy bills? ECNV is one of many providers for the Energy Share program. This can help you when paying for heating, cooling and gas prices are high and thus difficult for you or your family to pay. This is a one-time credit directly to your Dominion and Washington Gas bill customers only. When you apply using the link below, include a copy of your bill as an attachment to the form and within 4-6 weeks your account will be credited for $ 500 (or split to Dominion and Washington Gas for $ 250.00).
Please be sure to let us know at the time of application which bill you need support with. This program is on a first come, first served basis and is available once per calendar year. You must have a person who is disabled and/or elderly living in the home and that person's name does NOT need to be on the bill.
Benefits Assistance: Apply Today ››
Research Opportunities:
MedStar Health Urinary Research Study
Does your bladder bug you?
Do you have a neurogenic/neuropathic bladder and use indwelling or intermittent catheterization for bladder management? If so, we would like to invite you to participate in a study using a probiotic to decrease urinary symptoms.For more information, please contact: Chris Riegner christopher.r.riegner@medstar.net or 202-877-1560
MedStar Health is looking for participants for a urinary symptoms study (#NCT05230511).
The National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD)
The National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) is an important opportunity to share your experiences as a person with a disability, and it is one of few national surveys that account for individuals with communication-related disabilities. To take the survey, visit: NSHD Survey.
The NSHD website has more information on the survey.
Events for Learning, New Opportunities and Advocacy
April
Fair Housing Joint Statement Accessible Multifamily Dwellings, (virtual), 4/22/25, 10:00am & 2:00pm.
Sensory-Friendly Family Evening at Mount Vernon, (in-person), 4/22/25, 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Disability Benefits: Social Security and VA’s Medicaid Waivers, (virtual), 4/30/25, 5:30pm - 7:00pm.
May
How Your Child with a Disability Can Work and Still Keep their Social Security and Medicaid, (virtual), 5/1/25, 6:00pm - 7:30pm.
The Pilgrim’s Promise Movie with ASL, (in-person), 5/3/25, 4:00pm, Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King St, Alexandria, VA, United States, Virginia 22302.
CRi Community Fest, (in-person), 5/10/25, 11:00am - 2:00pm, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 1551 Trap Road Vienna, VA 22182. Free, Registration Required.
Flip the Script on Aging, (in-person), 5/15/25, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Oakwood Meadow Senior-Residences, 5815 South Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA, 22310. No registration required.
Sensory-Friendly Family Evening at Mount Vernon, (in-person), 5/27/25, 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
