ECNV’s Be in the Know September 2025
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Stay Informed: Monthly Awareness Highlights
All Month: National Guide Dog Month
All Month: Pain Awareness Month
All Month: Deaf Awareness Month
Sept.15-Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
Save the Date for our first Bienvenidos National Webinar!
Save the Date for our first Bienvenidos national webinar: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST!
This webinar will be presented completely in Spanish and is about understanding disability in the United States.
Join actor, producer, and spokesperson Wilmer Valderrama and experts from five national disability organizations for a 90-minute discussion on what it’s like to have a disability in the U.S. You will learn about your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the importance of voting, special education laws, and available resources to help people with disabilities live independently.
Transportation News:
Fairfax County Student Bus Program
Did you know that you can now sign-up for a Free Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card at all Fairfax County High Schools and Middle Schools and ride the Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE bus for free? For more information visit your school’s administration office; you will need to have your parent’s/guardian’s approval for signing up.
Fairfax County Student Bus Pass Program ››
Maryland Transit Administration Mobility Updates
The Maryland Transit Administration announced on Friday, September 12, 2025: "Beginning Saturday, Sept. 13, the Mobility Call Center will resume regular operating hours of 8 am - 5 pm and riders will be able to make reservations for rides up to 7 days in advance. We appreciate our riders patience as we worked to restore regular operations."
Upcoming Metro Track Work, September 27-28
On Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, free shuttle buses will replace trains between Foggy Bottom and Pentagon on the Blue Line and Foggy Bottom and Courthouse on the Orange and Silver lines.
There will be no Blue Line train service at Pentagon, Pentagon City, and Crystal City, however Yellow Line service will be available. Crews will be working to replace fasteners and anchors as well as performing maintenance on the third rail and rail renewal to ensure reliability.
Buses replace trains between Foggy Bottom, and Pentagon on Blue Line Foggy Bottom and Courthouse on Orange and Silver lines Sept. 27-28.
WMATA Track Work Announcement ››
Legislative Updates:
Democrats Introduce Legislation to Boost SNAP Benefits
On Thursday, September 5, 2025, Democrats in both the House and Senate introduced legislation that would change the way benefits are calculated by the country’s largest hunger program, increasing the amount of aid families receive to buy groceries.
The Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025 would direct the USDA to use a different method than it currently uses to set benefit amounts.
Attacks on Vote-By-Mail, Voting Machines Threaten Disabled Voters
On August 22, 2025, President Trump announced he hopes to end vote-by-mail and limit the types of voting machines that can be used ahead of the 2026 elections.
More News to Explore:
Make Closed Captions Mandatory in Public Venues Petition
Imagine being left out of medical instructions, storm warnings, or even a simple game at a bar because captions weren’t turned on. This happens every day to millions of Americans. Captions are safety, captions are equality, captions are for everyone. This petition will be presented to the Virginia General Assembly.
By signing this petition, you’re showing lawmakers and decision-makers that accessibility is not optional. Captions are a basic civil right.
CAPTIONS ARE FOR EVERYONE. Accessibility is safety. Accessibility is equality. Accessibility is NOW.
Stay Connected with Maryland Relay Calling Options
If you, or a loved one, have difficulty using a standard telephone, Maryland Relay makes it easy to place and receive calls. Maryland Relay services are available for free. You are responsible for paying your monthly telephone bill to your chosen service provider. Long distance rates may apply according to your telephone service.
See Available Services for Maryland Relay Calling ››
Empower Students with I/DD: Healthy Relationship and Sexuality Resources
Elevatus Training has shared resources to support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and autism in accessing healthy relationships and sexuality education. These training sessions are paid.
Healthy Relationships Learn more››
The Arc of Loudoun Receives $300,000 Grant to Relaunch Aurora School at New Location
On August 28, 2025, The Arc of Loudoun announced that they received a $300,000 Grant to Relaunch Aurora School at New Location. The Aurora School in Leesburg closed because of a dispute between the Arc of Loudoun and the trust that owns the land.
Arc of Loudoun Grant Read More ››
Virginia's Developmental Disability Waivers Waiting List
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 individuals on Virginia's Developmental Disability Waivers Waiting List (the Waitlist) will be able to access the IFSP-Funding Portal in WaMS to create and submit an application. The last day to apply is October 30 at 11:59pm.
To help applicants understand how to apply for funding, the IFSP staff will host virtual training sessions using Microsoft Teams. (Separate training sessions will be held for support coordinators and case managers.) Each training includes:
A demonstration of how to navigate the IFSP-Funding Portal in WaMS;
Guidance on completing an application; and
An opportunity to ask questions.
Training Dates and Times: Spaces are limited, so please save your spot and register at the links below. You only need to register for one session!
Monday, September 22 at 9:30am
Tuesday, September 23 at 1:00pm
National Disability Employment and Awareness Month Job and Resource Fair in Maryland
Prince George's is having a National Disability Employment and Awareness Month Job and Resource Fair on October 16th from 10:30a-1p at the Laurel Multi-Service Center. This event aims to give professionals opportunities to network, explore career options, and more!
VDDHH Is Seeking Deaf Mentors!
Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are recruiting Deaf adults to work with families of deaf children, birth to 8 years old. Any Deaf adult residing in Virginia can apply. They need Deaf adults residing near the Interstate 81 corridor (Winchester to Roanoke) and residing in the Tidewater region (Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach). Please submit a cover letter and resume to DM@vddhh.virginia.gov as soon as possible.
Victor Wear Employment & Empowerment Expo
ECNV is a proud fiscal sponsor for the Victor Wear Employment & Empowerment Expo to be held October 18, 2025 from 10-4 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City. We seek exhibitors and volunteers to help make this first expo a success.
Having a Hard Time Paying Your Electricity 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 ›
Open Comments Opportunities:
Blue Envelope Program
CommunicationFIRST has been asked what we think about “Blue Envelope” programs. These are programs designed to reduce misunderstanding between drivers with disabilities and police during traffic stops. We want to hear what *you* think about these and if you have any experience using them.
Please take our short survey by September 29!
Would You Help Support Open Captioning in Movie Theaters?
The Virginia Movie Theater Open Captions Team is collecting stories/narratives about the impact of this project. Please consider participating to help bring awareness to the need for Open Captions here in Virginia.
Virginia Department of Education 2025 Parent Involvement Survey
If your family has a child with an IEP and attends public school, share your feedback on family involvement in schools by filling out this survey. This survey is available in Spanish and English.
Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) FY 2025 Annual Satisfaction Survey
Each year, the IFSP asks individuals on Virginia's DD Waivers Waiting List (the Waitlist) and their families to share their feedback on the program. We thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. The survey should take 10 minutes to complete. The information you provide will help us better assist you and your family. Your feedback will remain confidential. If you choose to provide your name and email address, it will only be used to add you to our IFSP email list, or to connect you with your local IFSP Regional Council.
The survey should be completed by or on behalf of individuals on the Waitlist prior to November 13, 2024. It can also be completed by or on behalf of individuals who applied for IFSP-Funding between October 15 and November 13, 2024.
IFSP Virginia's DD Waivers Waiting List Survey ››
Research Opportunities:
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
September
Sexual Education, Disability, and the Law: Understanding the ADA’s Role, (virtual), 9/23/25, 2:00pm - 3:30pm.
Making Sense of Benefits and Work – What You Need to Know, (virtual), 9/24/25. 2:00pm - 3:30pm (English), or 7:00pm - 8:30pm (Spanish).
Virginia’s HCBS Waiver Programs: Where to Go? What to Know!, (virtual), 9/26/25, 12:00pm - 2:00pm.
Ability Games, (in-person), 9/28/25, 1:00pm - 4:00pm, Old 690 Brewery.
Special Education Workshop for Military Families, (virtual), 9/30/25, 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Medicaid Home and Community-based Waiver Services, (virtual), 9/30/25, 2:00pm - 4:00pm.
October
Navigating Section 504 – Essential Knowledge for Families, (virtual), 10/3/25, 10:00am - 11:30am.
House Candidate Forums for Fairfax and Alexandria, (virtual), 10/6/25, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.
Cracking the Code: 504s and IEPs, (virtual), 10/7/25, 6:00pm.
Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities, (virtual), 10/10/25, 10:00am - 11:30am.
Top Financial Mistakes to Avoid for Dependents with Special Needs, (virtual), 10/10/25, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wings for All at DCA, (in-person), 10/11/25, 7:00am - 1:00pm.
House Candidate Forums for Vienna and Loudoun, (virtual), 10/15/25, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.
Arctoberfest, (in-person), 10/18/25, COLUMBUS CLUB, 5115 Little Falls Road Arlington, VA 22207.
Check out ECNV's updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
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