ECNV's Be in the Know: January 2026
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Stay Informed: Monthly Awareness Highlights
All month: National Mentoring Month
01/04/26: World Braille Day
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:
Crystal City Entrance Construction: Spring 2026 Weekend Closures
From February to June, weekend construction will impact travel to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Trains won’t run between Pentagon City and the airport across 10 weekends as WMATA builds a second entrance at Crystal City to support growing ridership. Shuttle buses will replace trains at affected stations.
Alexandria DASH 1 Year Contract Extension
On Monday, December 22, 2025, ATU Local 680 announced on their Facebook page: "DASH workers overwhelmingly approved a 1-year extension of their current contract. The ratified agreement included a strong wage increase, improvements to working conditions, and well positions the Union for the next round of negotiations."
88% of the union voted in favor.
Follow ATU Local 680 for Transportation Labor Updates ››
Yellow Line Extends to Greenbelt!
On Saturday, December 27, 2025, WMATA announced on Facebook that they will be extending the Yellow Line to Greenbelt, starting on December 31st! Half of Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Greenbelt (every 12-15 mins) and the other half will operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Sq (every 6-8 mins).
Metro 2025 Rewind Is Live!
Metro is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 edition of Metro Rewind, your personalized ridership report, at MetroRewind.com!
This year, your detailed report includes:
Number of bus and rail trips
Rides by month
Your longest streak riding Metro
Where you rank among all Metro customers
Miles traveled on transit
Carbon dioxide emissions saved by taking transit
Top 5 Metro Rail stations
How you rank among others who use your top station
Top 5 Metro Bus routes
How you rank among others who use your top route
Your Metro archetype
Option to buy merch for your top station
To access Metro Rewind, customers can enter their 20-digit SmarTrip number on the back of their card. The number can also be found in your Google or Apple Wallet.
Fairfax Connector Student Bus Pass Program
If you’re a Fairfax County middle or high school student and don’t have a Fairfax Connector Student Bus Pass yet, now’s the time to get one. Ride free all year and get where you need to go—school, work, and everything in between.
Legislative Updates:
Virginia General Assembly
Virginia’s legislative session began on January 14, and members of the House of Delegates and Senate will soon be considering hundreds of bills on a wide range of issues. Some of these proposals will affect students with disabilities, special education, and related services.
If you’re interested in following disability- or special education-related legislation, you can track bills using Virginia’s Legislative Information System (LIS). The system is free and open to the public.
LIS allows you to view bill language, meeting calendars, the Governor’s proposed budget and budget amendments, the Code of Virginia, state regulations, and more. You can also see which committees your Delegate and Senator serve on.
Things move quickly during the General Assembly session, and meeting dates, times, and locations can change with little notice. Be sure to check LIS regularly for the most up-to-date information.
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia always closely follows disability related bills that come through the Virginia General Assembly. Watch their Facebook for updates!
HB602, Expanding Access to Open Captioning in Virginia
HB 602 is a bill in the Virginia General Assembly that would expand access to open captioned movie screenings across the Commonwealth.
This legislation would require many movie theaters to offer open caption showings during a film’s release period and to respond to requests for captioned screenings in a timely and transparent way. It also includes requirements for theaters to clearly advertise open caption showtimes and provide contact information for requests.
Access to open captioning is an issue we regularly hear about from members of the disability community, particularly people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and others who benefit from captions. We’re encouraged to see this concern reflected in proposed legislation.
More News to Explore:
The Disability Community Mourns the Loss of Bob Kafka
On Friday, December 26, 2025, the disability movement lost a powerful leader, Bob Kafka, a longtime organizer with the disability civil rights protest group ADAPT, the founder of AAPD’s REV UP campaign, and a co-lead of REV UP Texas. He passed away at his home in Austin, Texas.
He was 79 years old. There will be a virtual memorial for him on Saturday, January 31, from 3:00pm - 4:00pm on Facebook.
VACIL Fair Housing Training
Everyone deserves access to safe, fair, and inclusive housing. Join this training with Brenda Castañeda from Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) to learn all about fair housing rights and how to support equal access in your community, particularly as it relates to individuals with disabilities!
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 1:00 PM Location via Zoom
Presented By Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) - www.vacil.org Training provided with funding from the Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC).
Barriers Health Care Accessibility: Further Efforts Needed to Address Barriers for People with Disabilities Report
On December 19, 2025, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report, "Health Care Accessibility: Further Efforts Needed to Address Barriers for People with Disabilities."
People with disabilities still face widespread barriers to accessing health care, including inaccessible facilities and equipment, overwhelming sensory environments, technology usability issues, communication challenges, and provider bias or limited training. The report finds that people with disabilities still face widespread barriers to accessing health care, including inaccessible facilities and equipment, overwhelming sensory environments, technology usability issues, communication challenges, and provider bias or limited disability training.
GAO 2025 Report ››
National Disability Policy: A Progress Report 2025
Review 2025 Progress Report ››
Virginia Department of Health Complaint Portal
The Virginia Dept. of Health's Office of Licensure and Certification launched its new online complaint portal to submit complaints about a healthcare facility or service. This portal allows the public, providers or adult or child protective services workers to register formal complaints with the OLC.
DC Deaf Moviegoers Ends
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, DC Opened Caption Movies on Facebook announced that DC Deaf Moviegoers had ended. The Admin wrote: "DC Deaf Moviegoers was started in 2015 to inform deaf moviegoers of the rare few OC options. In October 2024, DC passed a law to require some OC screenings, so it has now been in effect for over a year. After 10 years, we feel that our work is done. Thank you to those who supported the DC legislation and to those who have followed us, especially for multiple years!"
They also recommended bookmarking the below links:
The BigScreen Cinema Guide’s Open Caption Movie Presentations
Fandango’s Washington, DC Movie Times + Tickets (search for “open caption”)
The Virginia Movie Theater Open Captions Team has an interest survey: Would you help support open captioning in movie theaters?
For online streaming, we recommend following the Audio Description Project on Facebook.
SignUp Captions for Streaming!
SignUp is a Free Google Chrome Extension providing sign language interpreters on movies and TV shows on streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube.
Install SignUp for Google Chrome ››
ASL Book Club
Do you love to read and talk about books? Are you interested in participating in a book discussion on Zoom in American Sign Language? If so, this book club is for YOU!
Join the DC Public Library online via Zoom on a Wednesday every other month at 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time. The ASL Book Club is facilitated by Librarian Janice Rosen from the Center for Accessibility. Questions? Contact DCPLaccess@dc.gov.
The first meeting will be on January 28, 2026, from 6pm - 7:00pm, reviewing Horse, by Geraldine Brooks.
Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf Superbowl LX Watch Party
Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf will host a watch party for Superbowl LX on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at their headquarters! Dinner is at 5:00pm and Kick-off is at 6:30pm.
Please bring a dish or 2 to share according to your last name.
A-F: Desserts
G-L: Hot Dishes
M-S: Cold Salads
T-Z: Appetizers
Bring your own sodas & non-alcoholic drinks. NVAD will provide ham and water bottles.
Please RSVP to NVAD Vice-President Joan Corley at nvadvicepresident@gmail.com by Saturday, February 7, 2026 what dish you will bring to avoid duplicates.
Trove Marketplace!
Trove Market is an Etsy-like online marketplace for creative persons with disabilities who wish to sell their products online. But it is more than a marketplace — it's a movement supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities. When you register to become a seller, you must complete a Disability Disclosure Form to confirm eligibility since the platform was designed exclusively for entrepreneurs with disabilities.
By shopping here, you’re helping to:
Reduce unemployment for individuals with disabilities.
Foster participation and financial freedom.
Inspire societal change and inclusion.
Alexandria Health Department Community Health Improvement Plan
The Alexandria Health Department is reaching out to the community as they work on building a Community Health Improvement Plan to improve mental wellness for all Alexandrians. Any resident in the City of Alexandria who is interested is strongly encouraged to attend. The next coalition meeting will be on February 4, 2026. To register to attend the next meeting or to vote on a vision statement that will guide this work, visit the coalition page.
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 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 ››
VDDHH Seeking Artists for Children's Coloring Book
The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) is exploring the creation of a children's coloring book that highlights Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture and promotes awareness of VDDHH programs and services.
VDDHH is looking to connect with DEAF artists who may be interested in contributing their creative talents to this project. The goal is to produce an engaging and educational coloring book for children that celebrates identity, accessibility, communication, and community within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing world.
At this stage, we are reviewing portfolios and examples of past work to identify an artist (or team of artists) whose style best fits the project. If you are interested, please forward to felecia.smith@vddhh.virginia.gov:
A few samples of your artwork (or a link to your online portfolio)
A brief description of your artistic background or experience creating illustrations for children
Your availability and general pricing structure (if available)
Once VDDHH reviews submissions, they will follow up with more details about the project scope, timeline, and compensation.
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities Resource Fridays!
On January 5th, the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities announced on their Facebook that they are starting a new tradition, Resource Friday! Each Friday, they will share a resource that can help improve the lives of people with disabilities in Virginia.
#TheRideAhead Launches Disability Leadership Series
On January 7th, the Ride Ahead team announced on their Facebook that they are launching a brand-new, fully online National Disability Leadership Series!
Presented with Westchester Institute For Human Development, this 10-month series will help US-based young disabled adults, educators, professionals, and family members grow as disability leaders through presentations, community connections, mentorship, and group projects.
Applications are now open! Visit bit.ly/NDLS_flyer to learn more and submit an application form by February 15.
Research Opportunities:
Job Retention Experiences of African-American Autistic Individuals
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is looking for Black or African American autistic adults who have held a job for at least 6 months to participate in a study on job retention experiences.
To be eligible for this study individual must:
be 18 years age or older;
have a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or self-identify as autistic;
identify as African American or Black; and
Individuals must have held a paid job for at least the past six consecutive months or left a paid job within the past six months following at least six consecutive months of employment.
You may participate in-person or remotely. The deadline to participate is February 15, 2026!
Family Quality of Life In Autism Spectrum Disorder
Baylor University is conducting a research project inviting caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD to take part in an online survey about family life. Your voice will help improve tools used to support families like yours
Who is eligible:
You’re 18+, English-speaking, and your child’s legal guardian
Your child is 3–12 and has an ASD diagnosis from a healthcare provider
If you have multiple children with ASD, please answer about the first child diagnosed (age 3–12)
Participation:
10–30-minute online survey
5-minute follow-up survey two weeks later
As a thank you, you will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of two $25 Amazon gift cards!
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 ››
AI & Accessibility Research Study
The Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences at the University of Washington (CREATE UW) is conducting a research study to understand how diverse people with disabilities use AI tools, particularly how they navigate their communication, behavior, and self-expression when using AI.
Interviews will be conducted online via Zoom for 60-minutes. If you participate, you will receive a $35 gift card for your time. There is also an optional follow-up study, where participants will be asked to log their AI use—participants can earn up to an additional $30 gift card.
You're eligible if you:
Are 18 or older
Live in the United States
Identify as: Having a disability, d/Deaf, living with a chronic or mental health condition, neurodivergent, or having a related identity/condition
UW Accessibility Study Screener Form ››
MedStar Health Urinary Research Study
The National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) is an ongoing survey of adults with disabilities, conducted five times previously in 2018, 2019/2020, 2021, 2022, 2023/2024.
Note: The 2025 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) is now closed. It will likely reopen late 2026.
Does your bladder bug you?
Do you have a neurogenic/neuropathic bladder and use indwelling or intermittent catheterization for bladder management? If so, we would like to invite you to participate in a study using a probiotic to decrease urinary symptoms.
For more information, please contact: Chris Riegner christopher.r.riegner@medstar.net or 202-877-1560
MedStar Health is looking for participants for a urinary symptoms study (#NCT05230511).
Events for Learning, New Opportunities and Advocacy
January
Disability Benefits: Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers, (virtual), 1/20/26, 5:30pm - 6:30pm.
The Capitol Rally, (in-person), 1/22/26, 11:30am - 12:00pm, Bell Tower in Richmond.
DD Days for the 2026 General Assembly (in-person), multiple dates and locations.
An Introduction to ABLEnow, (virtual), 1/21/26, 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Letter of Intent Workshop, (virtual), 1/23/26, 10:00am - 11:00am.
Understanding Service Animals, Assistance Animals, and ESAs, (virtual), 1/27/26, 7pm.
Neurodiversity Virtual Career Fair, (virtual), 1/28/26, 11:00am - 3:00pm.
February
Mental Health First Aid Training, (virtual or in-person), 2/10/26, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Cooking with Confidence: Valentine's Day, (in-person), 2/17/26, 10:00am - 1:00pm, The Arc of Northern Virginia Office, Paid$.
TFIL Talks: Relationships and Communication, (virtual), 2/24/26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
Estate Planning and Decision-Making for Families of Individuals with Disabilities, (virtual), 2/24/26, 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
Check out ECNV's updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
