July 2025 E-newsletter
Celebrating 35 Years of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law that transformed access, equity, and inclusion for people with disabilities across the country. Communities nationwide are celebrating with events that honor this progress and recommit to the work ahead. Visit adata.org/ada-anniversary/events to explore upcoming celebrations, advocacy opportunities, and ways to get involved in your area. Join us in recognizing the power of the ADA and the people who made it possible!
Join Us at NCIL’s 2025 Conference Events!
As part of the National Council on Independent Living’s annual conference this July, we’re excited to highlight two powerful opportunities to get involved.
First, don’t miss the 2025 National March & Rally on Monday, July 21 from 3:00–5:00 PM. This year’s theme is “Our Lives, Our Homes, Our Communities,” and we’ll be marching to the Capitol to protect and preserve our right to live independently in our communities. We’ll gather beforehand in downtown DC and head to the Hill together.
Then, on Wednesday, July 23, join advocacy meetings with Virginia’s Senators and Representatives to make your voice heard on issues that matter.
For more details, visit NCIL’s 2025 conference page. If you’re interested in participating in either event, contact ECNV’s advocacy intern, Laura Kim, at laurak@ecnv.org.
Upcoming Classes!
Shape Your Future: Join RAMP
Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) - This is a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program designed to help youth and young adults develop the skills necessary to further their education and/or secure employment by participating in job and community exploration activities, skill-building exercise, and enrichment opportunities. We will begin onboarding our 2025-2026 RAMP program participants in September and will be setting our initial referral deadline on August 31, 2025. This 9-month program will run through June 2026 and is accommodating to student availability throughout the year. All referrals must come from DARS.
For questions, please contact Kevina Brown at kbrown@ecnv.org.
The ENDependents Social Group Rides Again!
If you've been waiting for ECNV's social group to start back up, we're excited to announce that the ENDependents Social Group will ride again starting this July. If you're interested in joining us, please email us at info@ecnv.org and mark your calendars for Friday, July 25 at 6:00 p.m. Come join us to chat about anything you'd like including current events, what's happening with you, exciting summer plans and anything else you'd like to chat about in a fun and safe environment over a delicious meal.
Where: Chipotle Mexican Grill
2231 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
If you need reasonable accommodation to participate let us know.
Money Matters 101 Fall Registration is Open
ECNV offers a five-part training to help people with disabilities understand and manage money. Money Matters will help people understand what money is, how they can use it to pay for things they need, and how to decide what things are most important to pay for.
Use our Online Registration Form to sign up! Registration closes Sep 15, 2025.
Training Schedule
Mon, Oct 20, 4-5pm
Welcome, Introductions, and What is Money?
Tue, Oct 21, 4-5pm
Understanding Wants, Needs, and Obligations
Wed, Oct 22, 4-5pm
Bank Accounts and Credit
Thu, Oct 23, 4-5pm
Protect Yourself and Your Money
Fri, Oct 24, 4-5pm
Review, Money Game, and Conclusion
Thriving Solo Winter Registration is Open
Thriving Solo is the perfect class for people with disabilities who want to learn more about living on their own. Upcoming classes are scheduled for: Dec 8-10 and Dec 16-18 Mondays – Wednesdays from 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Sign up today on the Online Registration Form! Registration closes November 15, 2025.
Week 1
Monday, Dec 8, 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Kick-off, Stress Management, and Daily Routine
Tuesday, Dec 9 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Groceries, Meal Prep, and a Trip to the Grocery Store
Wednesday, Dec 10, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Hands-on Cooking Class
Week 2
Monday, Dec 15, 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Advocacy & Empowerment
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Travel Training and Metro Trip
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Money Management and Graduation
ECNV Programs and Support
Read about our programs and support aimed to empower people with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives, pursue their aspirations, and actively participate in their communities.
Coming Soon
New Support Group: The Aging Solo DMV Collective: Aging Solo doesn’t mean aging alone! The Aging Solo DMV Collective is a BRAND-NEW welcoming, monthly gathering where we share experiences, challenges, and triumphs of navigating life on our own terms. This group also welcomes all who have previously taken the Aging Solo six-week class offered by ECNV as well as other organizations, and if you're taking it for the first time. A link will be provided to all who register or email info@ecnv.org for more information.
Money Matters 201
Community Guide
Peer Support Group Open House Peer Support Group Interest Form
Fill out the ECNV interest form to be contacted about the above classes.
Adult Social Club Outing—Friday, July 11th!
Join us for a fun and educational day out!
Date: Friday, July 11th
Time: 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Meeting Location: Dunn Loring Metro
We will hop on the Orange Line (metro) to the Silver Line to Tysons Corner for lunch, 7/11 slushies and see the new Superman movie! Please bring money for lunch, slushies cup and money for movies and metro fare.
This outing will also include:
Introduction to all Metro lines
Demonstration on how to use a SmarTrip Card
Overview of safety features on the bus
Taking the Metro back to Dunn Loring
Service dogs are welcome! Please bring your own SMARTrip cards. Please RSVP by July 1st to confirm availability.
Grant Updates:
Bienvenidos Todos Webinar & Seminar Series on Summer Break
Our Bienvenidos Todos Project team would like to thank you for participating in our webinar series. This series will be taking a pause for summer break and will resume in September. Please check out our Bienvenidos Todos Project page for past webinars and fact sheets.
Check Out ECNV's Zazzle
Support ECNV by purchasing and wearing some of our unique clothes and accessories with the ECNV logo. There are lots of choices and five percent of the proceeds go back to ECNV to continue the awesome and meaningful work we all are doing for disability advocacy and justice in the northern Virginia area.
ECNV Upcoming Calendar
Check out our updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
ECNV Around Town
Vaccines for All!
In 2025, ECNV will continue with its community vaccination campaign and distribution of COVID tests in Northern Virginia, thus fulfilling the mission of caring for diverse communities, guaranteeing access to vaccines, and accessing free COVID home tests. In addition to these activities, ECNV also participated in other events related to the implementation of the Bienvenidos Todos Project and RACE project.
ECNV continues with its free vaccination program for people from multicultural communities! We will be providing flu vaccines throughout at different events and health fairs.
Real Impact: A Travel Training Journey
Valerie Klaussen at the metro where she and a travel trainer did travel training last week. She also stated, “My thoughts about the bus and Metro Rail are that it's a fun and easy way to get around and it's safe.”
ECNV Goes to National Council on Aging Conference
ECNV's staff, Lelena Dagne and Tracee Garner, present at NCOA Conference 2025 in May. The National Conference on Aging was held from May 28-30, 2025, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. This was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to discover innovative programs, network with colleagues, and get inspired and rejuvenated in your effort to support and build up older adults in your community.
Summer RAMP Program is in Full Lift-Off Mode
On Friday June 13, 2025, ECNV’s Summer RAMP program enjoyed time at Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA.
RAMP is Flying into Education
In June, the Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program participated in STEM Learning.
They wrapped up June with a thrilling and educational trip to iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Ashburn, VA!
