ECNV's Be in the Know: December 2025
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Stay Informed: Monthly Awareness Highlights
Dec. 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dec. 10: International Human Right's Day
Thank you for Participating in Giving Tuesday
With YOUR support, the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) is able to continue our vital advocacy and policy work to create a truly inclusive and accessible world.
Your generosity this GivingTuesday was instrumental in helping us amplify the voices of people with disabilities. This crucial work would not have been possible without YOU.
It is not too late to give! ››
Grant Updates:
Our Bienvenidos Webinar Youtube Library!
Did you know that you can re-watch any of the Bienvenidos Todos webinars on our Youtube page? Playlists for webinars in Spanish and English have been edited for content, and captions are available in their respective playlists. You can also still watch the unedited videos as well. Videos from the Provider Series are also available!
Our video editor and social media person, Elaine Shaw is editing as quickly as she can to make all the webinars available! Thank you for your patience.
Adult Social Group Outing
Date: Friday, December 19th
Time: 3:00 pm-9:00 pm
Meeting Location: Dunn Loring Merrifield
We will meet at Dunn Loring Metro at 3:00 pm then take the Orange line and transfer at L’Enfant Plaza and go on Green Line to Navy Yard Ballpark.
We will also get dinner
Included:
Introduction to all Metro lines and transfers
Demonstration on how to use a SmarTrip Card
Overview of safety features on Metro Rail
Service dogs are welcome! Please bring your own SMARTrip Cards, Dinner!
RSVP Deadline: December 17! Adult Social Club RSVP ››
*Alternate activity: Indoor Restaurant
Transportation News:
Metro Online Store
Did you know the DC Metro has an online store? We're getting into sweater season, so is Metro. Metro has a winter themed sweater to buy, which is available for a limited time.
New Bus Routes!
On December 14, 2025, DC's C63 route, serving Washington Hospital Center, extended to Georgia Av-Petworth, providing a connection to the Green line and neighborhoods to the west of the hospital center.
Additionally, a new bus route will offer Shirlington residents a direct connection to D.C. during rush hour.
The new A29 route will run between Van Dorn Street Station and Metro Center via the I-395 express lanes, with stops at Beauregard Street, Mark Center and Southern Towers in Alexandria in addition to the Shirlington Transit Center.
Buses will run every 24 minutes beginning Monday, Dec. 15, operating north to D.C. in the morning and south to Alexandria in the afternoon, according to a press release. To use transit to get to D.C., Shirlington residents currently must take a bus to the Pentagon City Metro station.
New bus route will reconnect Shirlington to D.C. ››
Legislative Updates:
Disability-Related Laws Effective January 1, 2026
On January 1st, 2026, a set of new laws goes into effect in Virginia, introducing changes that touch wages, consumer protections, digital privacy, medical debt, and more.
Virginia minimum wage rate will increase to $12.77 from $12.41. All Virginia employers must pay covered employees at a rate not less than the minimum wage. The minimum wage applies to most employees in Virginia, including full-time, part-time, and temporary workers. However, certain exemptions exist, such as for some seasonal and job-specific categories.
The new Medical Debt Protection Act limits certain collection practices and caps interest rates on overdue medical bills. The law is designed to reduce financial burdens and predatory practices associated with unpaid medical debt.
Read About All the New Laws ››
IDEA Celebrates 50 Years!
Fifty years ago, just after Thanksgiving of 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, the landmark law that created special education as it exists today, and guaranteed all children with disabilities the right to a "free appropriate public education."
In 1990, it was renamed The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
In a November op-ed in USA Today, Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote that "returning education to the states does not mean the end of federal support for education. It simply means the end of a centralized bureaucracy micromanaging what should be a state-led responsibility."
But, in interviews with 40 parents, educators, disability-rights advocates, subject matter experts and Education Department staffers, NPR heard a growing fear: that the Mr. Bully administration's efforts to cut federal staff and oversight of special education could return the U.S. to a time, before 1975, when some schools denied access or services to children with disabilities.
Trump Administration Threatens to Withhold SNAP Benefits from Blue States Over Immigration Data
The Trump administration indicated Tuesday, December 2nd, that it will begin withholding SNAP benefits from recipients in most Democratic-led states after those states refused to provide the Agriculture Department with data including recipients’ names and immigration statuses.
A federal judge in San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction in October blocking the administration from withholding federal SNAP funding from states that refuse to provide the requested data. The Agriculture Department can appeal the decision and has until Dec. 15 to decide whether to do so — but the judge has already denied a request from the administration to pause the injunction should it decide to appeal.
More News to Explore:
The Disability Community Mourns the Loss of Alice Wong and John Bryan Kelly
Shockingly, on November 14, 2025, disability advocates Alice Wong and John Bryan Kelly passed away on the same day. Wong died in San Francisco. She was 51 years old.
Down to her last words, there was always a fungibility of anger and love in the life of Alice Wong: “I'm honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future...I love you all.”
John B. Kelly was the New England Regional Director of Not Dead Yet, a national disability rights groups which views assisted suicide as deadly discrimination against disabled people.
Take Action: RFK Jr. and HHS Are Bad For Students With Disabilities!
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) has put together an action alert and a script to contact your Congress person or Representative.
The government said they are moving some parts of the Department of Education to different agencies. You can learn about that here. The government did not say anything about their plans for special education. But the government plans to change who is in charge of special education.
disAbility Law Center of Virginia Report: Urgent Need to Prevent Deaths in Developmental Disability Services
On Monday, December 1, 2025, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dlCV) published a report: "Urgent Need to Prevent Deaths in Developmental Disability Services." The report identifies preventable failures across many cases, including delays in calling 911, failure to begin CPR, inadequate food-safety practices, and repeated violations by certain providers. These patterns reveal systemic gaps in oversight and emergency preparedness that place people at significant risk.
The Winter, Snowy Season is Coming!
The first day of winter is December 21st, but winter weather does not wait an official date. If you live in Alexandria, did you know about the Snow Buddy program?
This program matches volunteers willing to remove snow and treat sidewalks for eligible low-income seniors, homebound or disabled residents who are physically unable to do it themselves, and neighbors who cannot afford this service or don’t have someone to assist them. Snow buddies provide a critical service to these residents who may need to leave their homes for medical and other essential appointments or rely on healthcare workers for deliveries. Our Snow Buddy volunteers also help eligible property owners who are required to clear snow within 1 to 3 days after a heavy storm to avoid fines.
If you need help shoveling now in Falls Church, call Recreation & Parks at 703-248-5027 (TTY 711) for a list of teens who are available for hire.
Falls Church Snow Removal Policies ››
Food Pantries and Additional Resources
Food security is a critical social determinant of health – including mental health. If you or your loved ones are in need of food assistance, visit the following links below.
Food Pantries & Other Resources ››
Food in the DMV Spreadsheet ››
Fairfax Area Home Delivered Meals Program ››
Fairfax County's Emergency Food Access Providers Map Application ››
Arlington Holiday Giving Program
These gift cards help with groceries, clothing, household essentials, and more — not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.
This season, Arlington’s Department of Human Services (DHS) invites the public to make a lasting impact by providing support for neighbors who need it most. Rising food costs and uncertainty around public benefits mean many Arlingtonians are facing tough choices. Your generosity can help bridge the gap and spread cheer during the holiday season and beyond.
Your support benefits Arlingtonians who need it most:
Older adults living on fixed incomes
People with disabilities and different abilities
Children and families
Individuals receiving behavioral health services
Low-income households across Arlington
Having a Hard Time Paying Your Heating Bill?
Good news: You may be eligible to receive up to $500 through the EnergyShare® program, administered by Dominion Energy. This special benefit is available one-time per year to Virginia households with a person with a disability.
ECNV is here to help you apply. To find out more email info@ecnv.org
Need Help with Heat? Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold
The Fuel Assistance Program helps eligible households in meeting their energy needs by supplementing the cost associated with their primary heat source. Eligible households must meet income requirements.
The Crisis Assistance Program is designed to help households overcome energy emergencies that cannot be met by other resources. An energy emergency is determined when a household has no heat or is in imminent danger of being without heat.
Fuel and Crisis Assistance Programs ››
FCPS Career and Transition Service Events Coming in 2026!
Fairfax County Public Schools' Career and and Transition Services (CTS) offers events throughout the 2025–26 school year to help students with disabilities and their families explore postsecondary education, employment, independent-living options, and FCPS programs and services.
Middle School Transition Fair: Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students: March 4, 2026, Luther Jackson Middle School. It’s never too early or too late to start preparing your child.
NOVA Vision 2026: April 8, 2026, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus Interested in attending NOVA? Learn about available options for students with disabilities.
Postsecondary Education and Employment Options: April 22, 2026, Woodson High School Learn about options available after high school for students with disabilities.
Learn more about and register for these events ››
Next Chapter Book Club for People with I/DD
The Arc of Northern Virginia and Our Stomping Ground invite people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to join Next Chapter Book Club, a small, inclusive group for reading, sharing stories, and making new friends! The next meeting is on Wednesday, January 7th at 7 PM. The club will continue to meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 7 PM, with space limited to 15 members (a waitlist will be available once full).
Reserve your spot and let them know any support you may need by completing the registration form. Questions? Email Melissa Heifetz at melissa.heifetz@thearcofnova.org.
Register to Join! Next Chapter Book Club ››
Accessible Public Library Services Near You
Attention book lover! Residents of Fairfax County who are unable to physically visit a local library due to disability, illness or frailty may be eligible for free home delivery of library materials. Access Service administers the Talking Book Program on behalf of the National Library of Services for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. The Talking Book Service provides playing equipment, books and magazines in braille and audio format, free of charge by mail and via download.
Learn more about Library Accessible Services Near You:
Open Comments Opportunities:
Mother Jones Reporter Seeking to Profile Individuals with Disabilities
Julia Métraux is a reporter at Mother Jones covering disability and public health. She is working on a series (to be published before May 1) profiling three American aging adults (50+) about how you're aging independently (so, outside of a nursing home or hospital, it's OK to need support) while taking care of your health. She is leaning towards featuring people who have started to become chronically ill/disabled starting in at least your 20s.
If you are interested in participating, fill out this survey.
Research Opportunities:
Join Research to Develop Accessible Mental Health Tools for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
The Gallaudet University Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Center is conducting research to improve mental health tools specifically designed for individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Living with Hearing Loss, or Late Deafened. This study is open to participants ages 7 and older, and participants will receive $20 for each survey completed.Take the Eligibility Screening ››
MedStar Health Urinary Research Study
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
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
December
Navigating Care Denials and Reductions with the Medicaid Waiver, (virtual), 12/15/25, 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
Legal Rights & Self-Advocacy in Reproductive Care, (virtual), 12/16/25, 8:30pm.
The Spectrum of Decision-Making Options in Virginia: Supported Decision-Making to
Guardianship & Everything In Between, (virtual), 12/16/25, 9:00am - 10:30am.
Legal Rights & Self-Advocacy in Reproductive Care, (virtual), 12/16/25, 8:30pm.
January
VLCA for Early Childhood: Environment, (virtual), 1/15/26, 3:30pm - 4:30pm.
Disability Expo (in-person), 1/18/26, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Dewey Gottwald Center.
