ECNV's Be in the Know: August 2026
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Stay Informed: Monthly Awareness Highlights
All Month: Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
8/21/26: National Senior Citizens Day
Transportation News:
Summer 2026 Red Line Construction
Red Line construction takes place from July 6 – September 6 to build a second mezzanine at Bethesda station to connect to Maryland Department of Transportation's Purple Line. Free shuttles replace trains between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights.
Metro announces service information and bus detours for Freedom 250 Grand Prix
Late July, Metro announced service information and bus detours for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix, happening August 22 - 23, 2026.
Arlington's Transportation Future
After nearly two years of planning and community input, the refreshed Multimodal Transportation Plan (MTP) is ready for review! The draft includes policies, strategies, transportation network guidance, and curb lane priorities that advance the community-informed and County Board-endorsed vision for a safe, connected, and sustainable transportation system.
Have questions about the draft plan that you would like to ask the project team? Swing by one of the Chat With a Planner events to ask them directly!
Arlington County will be hosting two in-person events:
Thursday, August 6 (this week), 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Aurora Hills Library
Wednesday, August 19, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Arlington Mill Community Center Room 132
Share your feedback by August 23 and learn more at arlingtonva.us/TransportationFuture.
Legislative Updates:
Appeals Court Upholds Injunction on Trump’s Mail-In Voting Order
A federal appeals court on Saturday, July 25, 2026, ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to implement stricter mail-in voting rules before midterm elections in the coming months, with control of both the House and Senate up for grabs.
Senate Panel Passes Bill to Reverse Dismantling of Education Department
On July 30, 2026, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded committee passage of bipartisan legislation he led to block certain Interagency Agreements issued by the Department of Education (ED) that would transfer critical offices and programs to other federal agencies that lack the staff and expertise needed to fulfill these programs’ missions.
Advocacy:
REVUp National Call: August 26, 2026!
Join the REVUp Campaign on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 from 1 - 3 PM ET or get engaged in one of 23 coalitions who work year-round to ensure disabled people have access to the ballot. Find a full list of coalitions here and email revup@aapd.com if you need support getting connected.
REV UP (“Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power”) is a nonpartisan movement led by the American Association of People with Disabilities to build the power of the disability vote.
National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities Loses Critical Funding Opportunity
The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities — the nation's only research center dedicated to advancing the rights, health, and well-being of parents with disabilities and their families — may be forced to close after the federal government withdrew the funding opportunity that has historically supported the Center before applications could even be submitted.
If the funding opportunity is not restored and issued within the next few weeks, the Center's current federal grant will end on August 31, 2026, bringing an abrupt end to years of nationally recognized research, technical assistance, policy development, and community engagement.
We need your help!
Take action to prevent the Center’s work from ending on August 31, 2026.
More News to Explore:
Virginia Employment Commission Paid Family and Medical Leave Virtual Listening Sessions
The Virginia Employment Commission is doing a listening session for the disability community to hear about needs of the disability community and paid family medical leave on August 18th, 12-1:30 PM.
Save the Date for the next RAMP Ice Cream Fundraiser at Jake's Ice Cream
Save the Date for sweet treats and an opportunity to support ECNV’s RAMP program! Come to Jake’s Ice Cream (6353 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041) on Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm! Help support Jake’s Ice Cream and RAMP! 10% of all sales (except gift cards) will be donated to RAMP at the end of the event!
PEATC Special Education Webinar Series
Join PEATC for their 2026 Special Education Webinar Series, designed to help families navigate the special education process with confidence. Each webinar explores a different topic, from eligibility and IEPs to 504 Plans and effective family-school collaboration, giving participants the flexibility to learn about the subjects that matter most to them. Participants are not required to attend all sessions and are welcome to attend the sessions that best meet their needs.
August 26 - From Referral to Eligibility
September 9 - Keys to a Strong IEP
September 23 - Measurable IEP Goals
October 7 - Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings
October 21 - Cracking the Code: 504s and IEPs
All sessions are virtual. Each workshop will start at 6:30 p.m. and will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. These sessions will not be recorded.
Disability Voting Right Week
Disability Voting Rights takes place from September 14 - 18, 2026! This year’s theme is: Be an Accessible Democracy Defender!
Across the country, voters continue to experience barriers that make it harder, and sometimes impossible, to participate in our elections. DVRW is a nonpartisan, cross-disability, grassroots week of action and celebration.
Early In-Person Voting for November Election Begins 9/18!
2026 is a General Election year in which Virginians elect the 11 U.S. representatives from the State of Virginia, one from each of the state's congressional districts. The elections will coincide with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and Virginia state and local elections.
If you are a US Citizen, aged 18 years or older, you can vote - regardless of disability.
In addition, three measures will be on the ballot:
Abortion rights amendment. HJ1 / SJ247 would amend the Virginia constitution to guarantee a right to abortion.
Marriage equality amendment. HJ9 / SJ249 would amend the Virginia constitution to codify same-sex and interracial marriage.
Voting rights restoration amendment. HJ2 / SJ248 would amend the Virginia constitution to automatically restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Deadlines:
Register to Vote/Update Registration: 10/23/2026
Early in-person voting: 9/18/2026 through 10/31/2026
Apply for ballot to be mailed to you: through 10/23/2026
Celebrate Communication
Save the Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 10:00am - 3:00pm for Celebrate Communication at Springfield Town Center. Explore the latest in hearing assistive technologies, apps, captioning, local agency services, hearing aids, tinnitus, cochlear implants, ASL, and much more. Find ENTs and audiologists. Meet Deaf crafters.
Calling Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Artists, Makers & Crafters!
The Northern Virginia Resource Center is excited to begin planning a new Deaf Artisan Fair! If all goes according to plan with facility approval from ServiceSource, the event will take place on:
Saturday, November 14, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Deaf Artisan Fair will feature Deaf and Hard of Hearing artists, crafters, makers, upcyclers, jewelry creators, apparel designers, handmade goods, artwork, candles, soaps, gifts, and more! This event is intended specifically for ORIGINAL artists, crafters, and makers selling their own handmade creations and artwork.
NVRC is also expanding Deaf artisan vendor opportunities at Celebrate Communication, happening on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Vendor pricing:
$75 for either event individually
$100 discounted package for BOTH events
Vendors who participate in BOTH events will receive priority consideration.
Beat the Heat!
The Virginia Department of Health created a map to help community members find a Cooling Center. These are places where you can go to stay cool on hot days. Most locations are not shelters. If you need housing or healthcare assistance, contact Virginia 211.
Find a Cooling Center Near You ››
Stay Cool Care this Summer!
The Senior Cool Care Program is a program that helps low-income older citizens in Fairfax County keep cool during summer months. This program does not provide financial assistance, but it provides additional cooling at home by providing air conditioning units, window air conditioning units or fans for eligible older adults, age 60 and older. The program runs May 1 through October 31, 2026. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please call the Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948, TTY 711.
Virginia's Energy Assistance Program
Qualifying households can receive cooling assistance, including air conditioning system repair and help with paying electric bills, through the Virginia Energy Assistance Program.
To qualify, a household must have a child less than six years of age, an adult 60 years or older, or an individual living with a disability. Additionally, a household's gross monthly income may not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level.
Act now — applications close after August 17! Families in need of cooling assistance are encouraged to apply even if they are unsure of their eligibility status.
The Audio Description Project Survey on Streaming Services
The Audio Description Project of the American Council of the Blind is conducting a survey to capture the real-world experiences of blind, low vision, and sighted consumers using popular streaming services. The survey closes on Monday, August 31, 2026!
Connect and Engage: Join Our Social Circle
The Next Endependents Social Group Event!
This month, August 28, 2026 at 6pm at Uncle Julio’s Restaurant. 4301 Fairfax Dr, #100, Arlington, VA 22203.
Come join us to chat about anything you'd like including current events, what's happening with you, exciting plans and anything else you'd like to chat about in a fun and safe environment over a delicious meal.
Endependents Social Group Sign Up
Please request reasonable accommodation to participate in the ECNV Social Group at least five days before the scheduled event, if possible.
Research Opportunities:
Project Lotus
The Partnership for People with Disabilities and VCU School of Work invites the disability community to participate in Project Lotus, professional training on disability, relationships, sexual health and consent. These trainings are designed to improve conversations about sexuality, healthy relationships, consent, and safety for individuals with disabilities.
DATE & TIME: August 27, 2026
Virtual Zoom Training: 10AM–2PM
ELIGIBILITY:
18 years or older
Work with OR in community with individuals with disabilities
Interested in professional development
CEUs available
For Questions Contact:
Jasmine Turkson
(571) 594-6947
Or Principal Investigator:
Dr. Adrienne Baldwin-White
GMU Voice Journal Project
George Mason University is recruiting participants for a research study evaluating Voice Journal, a mobile app that allows older adults to record brief voice journals as part of a research project. The study is designed to better understand daily experiences and support the development of future health technologies for aging populations.
Participants will be required to record a brief voice entry sharing their daily thoughts or experiences, then answer two quick questions rating their mood and stress level, at least three times per week for four weeks (about 12 check-ins total).
Participation is confidential and participants who complete all study activities will receive a $100 Amazon e-gift card.
Or email cmcinto9@gmu.edu or call Connor McIntosh at 540-521-7197.
Sign up Closes on August 31, 2026.
Captioned Phone Call Research Study
MITRE, in collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology and Gallaudet University, is recruiting adults with hearing loss to participate in an online research study focused on improving captioned telephone calls. Participants must be 18 years or older, use their voice during phone calls, use captions while on calls, and speak English fluently. The online study takes approximately 60-90 minutes, and participants who complete the study will receive a $50 gift card.
Enrollment is open through March 2027.
The National Survey on Health and Disability
The National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) is an ongoing survey of adults with disabilities, conducted five times previously in 2018, 2019/2020, 2021, 2022, 2023/2024.
The 2025 NSHD is NOW CLOSED ››
Note: The 2025 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) is now closed. It will likely reopen late 2026.
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).
Events for Learning, New Opportunities and Advocacy
August
What It Means to be Brain Healthy, (virtual), 8/19/26, 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
Protecting Older Adults from Abuse and Neglect, (virtual), 8/20/26, 1:00pm.
Medicaid Cuts and Denials: Expert Advice and Guidance, (virtual), 8/24/26, 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
Medicaid Cuts and Denials: A Listening Session, (virtual), 8/24/26, 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Healthy Habits for Aging Well, (virtual), 8/25/26, 11:00am - 12:00pm.
Your Voice, Their Future: Building a Meaningful Letter of Intent & Creating the Framework for Futures Planning. A Hands-On, Thought-Provoking Workshop Geared to get you Started, (virtual), 8/24/26, 6:00pm - 8:00pm.
Discover the Dani Plan, (virtual), 8/25/26, 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Communicating About Consent and Healthy Relationships to People with Disabilities, (virtual), 8/27/26, 1:00pm.
Spanish Speaking Dementia Friends Information Session, (virtual), 8/28/26, 12:00pm - 1:15pm.
September
Finding the Right Fit: Housing Options for People with Developmental Disabilities in Northern Virginia, (virtual), 9/1/26, 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
Fall Prevention, Home Modifications, and Community Resources for Family Caregivers, (virtual), 9/4/26, 12:00pm - 1:30pm.
Puberty, Relationships, and Safety: What Caregivers and Self-Advocates Need to Know, (virtual), 9/9/26, 12:30pm - 1:30pm.
Getting Ready for the Ride: Special Education Hacks for the Year Ahead, (virtual), 9/9/26, 7:00pm.
JHU Disability Health Research Center Seminar Series: National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), (virtual), 9/16/26, 12:00pm.
Your Voice, Their Future: Building a Meaningful Letter of Intent & Creating the Framework for Futures Planning. A Hands-On, Thought-Provoking Workshop Geared to get you Started, (in-person), 9/16/26, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Heller Hall, St. James Catholic Church, Falls Church.
Spanish Speaking Dementia Friends Information Session, (virtual), 9/18/26, 12:00pm - 1:15pm.
JHU Disability Health Research Center Seminar Series: Music Therapy in Neurocritical Care: Co-Constructing Music and Meaning, (virtual), 9/22/26, 12:00pm.
SSA Benefits and Work Incentives, (virtual), 9/23/26, 2:00pm - 3:30pm.
Disability Health Equity Research Network Conference, (virtual), 9/29/26, 12:00pm.
Check out ECNV's updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
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