ECNV's Be in the Know November 2025
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Stay Informed: Monthly Awareness Highlights
All Month: National Family Caregivers Month
All Month: Diabetes Awareness Month
Giving Tuesday Is December 2nd, 2025!
Mark your calendars: Giving Tuesday is coming on December 2.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving, encouraging people to do good. Join the global giving movement and support the ECNV independent living disability community.
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.
Transportation News:
Virginia Mobile ID App
Virginia Mobile ID is a digital option of a state-issued driver's license or identification card, available as a free app on both the App Store and Google Play.
Virginia Mobile ID is built on industry standards and limits the information you share to just the data needed for the transaction.
It provides a convenient and secure way for Virginians to present their state-issued driver’s license or ID card to participating businesses or organizations.
Download Virginia Mobile ID from Apple Store ››
Download Virginia Mobile ID from Google Play ››
Arlington Transit Wants to Hear From You!
Arlington Transit wants to hear how they're doing! Click the link below to share your feedback!
Arlington Transit Feedback Survey ››
Join Metro’s Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is looking for new volunteers from Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia (D.C.) to join its Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC).
There are currently two vacant positions, one representing the District of Columbia, and one representing Northern Virginia (including Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, or Fairfax City). To qualify, you must be a rider of Metrobus, Metrorail, and/or MetroAccess but cannot be a Metro employee, contractor, or elected official.
Applications are due Friday, Nov. 28. Members of the disability community and older adults who use and would like to increase the accessibility of Metro services are strongly encouraged to apply.
Legislative Updates:
The Federal Government Shutdown Is Over & SNAP Benefits
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, President Trump signed a bill to fund the government, bringing a close to the longest government shutdown in history, one that saw millions of Americans affected and ended with little political gain.
The bill passed Wednesday night despite Republicans' narrow margin in the House. Six Democrats joined their Republican colleagues to get the bill over the finish line 43 days after the shutdown began: Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Adam Gray of California, Jared Golden of Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, and Tom Suozzi of New York.
Two Republicans -- Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greg Steube of Florida -- voted no. The final vote was 222 to 209.
According to Legal Aid Justice Center: "The continuing resolution signed...by the President provides funds for nutrition programs (including SNAP and WIC) through September 30, 2026."
What does this mean for Virginia benefit recipients? ››
DOJ Withdraws Two ADA Rulemakings Relating to Accessibility in Public Spaces
Following a recent regulatory review the Department of Justice withdrew two ADA rulemakings related to accessibility in public spaces and public rights of way. These changes do not alter the core ADA requirements ensuring programs and services remain accessible to all individuals with disabilities. It is crucial we stay informed and continue advocating for accessibility everywhere.
Federal Court Orders White House to Restore ASL Interpreters for Presidential and Press Secretary Briefings
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, federal district court ordered the White House to immediately reinstate American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for all press briefings held by the President or White House Press Secretary. The court found that the White House’s decision to end ASL interpretation unlawfully excluded deaf and hard of hearing Americans from receiving critical updates from the government on matters of war, public health, and the ongoing government shutdown.
Read more on Federal Court and ASL Interpreters ››
H.R.1 Implementation Factsheet
The federal government shutdown has already strained vital services — and now, H.R. 1 threatens to deepen the harm for older adults, caregivers, and families across our communities.
The Diverse Elders Coalition recently published their new H.R. 1 Implementation Factsheet, which outlines a timeline of key #policy changes (with bolded enactment dates) to help advocates, service providers, and community leaders prepare for what’s ahead.
Learn more and download the factsheet ››
More News to Explore:
Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA)
Update, November 11, 2025: With the federal government's reinstatement of SNAP benefits for November, Virginia will pause the issuance of Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA).
Virginia Launches Statewide Food Drive to Support Families During Shutdown
Governor Glenn Youngkin has launched the Virginia Cares Initiative—a statewide food drive rallying Virginians to support neighbors impacted by the federal government shutdown. The initiative helps those not covered by the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program, including federal employees, military-support personnel awaiting pay, and the over 12,000 Virginians newly eligible for SNAP benefits but unable to access them during the shutdown.
Virginians can get involved by donating food or funds through regional food banks. Participants receive a list of most-needed items, drop-off locations, and hours. Visit the Virginia Cares Initiative Sign-Up Page
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 ››
PEATC Community Office Hours
PEATC is proud to offer Community Office Hours, an opportunity to connect with our Family Support Specialists in person to get your questions about special education answered.
These hours are:
Held monthly
Located at libraries & other community locations
Subject to change
Check the current list of locations & timeslots ››
Turning 18: What Individuals With Disabilities Need to Consider
Turning 18 is a big milestone for all young people - and for individuals
with disabilities, it comes with important legal, educational, and
support considerations. Join Kendra Wormley from the Parent
Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) for an informative
session on what families need to know as their child transitions into
adulthood.
Turning 18, Register for Training ››
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! Their first meeting on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7 PM at The View at Broadlands Apartments. This will be a fun chance to get to know each other and vote on their first book. 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.
Start your next chapter with them!
Register to Join! Next Chapter Book Club ››
Open Comments Opportunities:
National Deaf Seniors Survey
Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) are collaborating with this survey to help better understand the needs, challenges, and strengths of Deaf older adults.
You must be 50 years or older to complete this survey.
Your personal contact information will remain confidential.
Survey results will be shared publicly in summary form to guide programs, policies and services.
This survey should take about 10 - 15 minutes to complete.
Findings will be presented at the NAD 2026 Conference in San Francisco and made available to the public.
National Deaf Survey ››
If you would like assistance completing the survey in ASL, please email info@deafseniors.us. A DSA team member will contact you to schedule a Video Phone (VP) meeting.
Beyond the Limits: Air Travel Experiences, Adaptations, and Accommodations for Passengers with Disabilities
Every traveler deserves dignity, safety, and access in the skies. For too many disabled people, air travel continues to present unnecessary barriers.
All Wheels Up’s has partnered with Occupational Therapy researcher Danielle Arrabito at Kean University to document the real experiences of passengers with disabilities.
This study seeks to understand the challenges, adaptations, and accommodations people use when navigating commercial air travel — and how future occupational therapy supports and industry practices can better meet those needs.
By sharing your lived experience, you can help improve accessibility and guide future support and adaptations in both occupational therapy and the airline industry.
Participants must:
Be a person with a disability or a caregiver of someone with a disability
Have traveled by commercial air at least once since the onset of disability
Be 18 years or older (caregivers of minors welcome) Your participation will help strengthen the evidence base for equitable air travel and amplify lived experiences in research, policy, and design.
Learn more about how you can participate ››
Research Opportunities:
Cerebral Palsy Research Study
Recruiting for NIH-funded Study about Perspectives on Precision Medicine Research on Cerebral Palsy
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
November
Digital Accessibility – Why It Matters for Everyone, (virtual), 11/19/25, 2:00pm.
November Chat with an Attorney about Special Education, (virtual), 11/19/25.
Ready, Set, Transition: A Guide to Transition Planning for Your Student, (virtual), 11/20/25, 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
UNITED VOICES, RENEWED RESOLVE: VA’s DD Act Partners Pushing for the Next Step Forward, (virtual), 11/21/25, 12:00pm.
Safetypowers Workshop: Positive Communication & Bullying Prevention, (in-person), 11/22/25, 10:00am - 11:00am and 11:30am - 12:30pm. The Arc of Northern Virginia, 3060 Williams Drive Suite 300, Fairfax, VA, 22031.
December
How Can Speech Therapy Help Adults with I/DD have Better Conversations?, (virtual), 12/1/25, 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
Know Your Special Education Rights: For Parents of Students with Autism, (virtual), 12/4/25, 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
Turning 18: What Youth with Disabilities Need to Know, (virtual and in-person), 12/10/25, 1:00pm.
Check out ECNV's updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
