ECNV's Be in the Know: July 2025
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Stay Informed: Monthly Awareness Highlights
All Month: Disability Pride Month
07/26/25: Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary
Transportation News:
Loudoun County's New Transit On Demand Services, Available in Leesburg
Go beyond the bus with Loudoun County’s new Transit On Demand service, is now available in Leesburg. This pilot program gives you free, flexible local rides within the Leesburg zone. Skip the schedule and book a ride that works for you.
Transit On Demand makes it easy. Service runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Blue Envelope Program for Drivers with Autism
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is proud to introduce the Blue Envelope Program, designed to assist drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. This initiative aims to foster safer and more comfortable interactions between drivers and law enforcement officers.
You can request a Blue Envelope at any Virginia DMV customer service center (CSC). There is no cost, and no documentation is required. Caregivers or guardians may also request one on behalf of someone with autism. Browse customer service center locations.
Blue Envelope Program Learn More ››
Blue Line Metro Construction, July 6 - July 26, 2025
This is a reminder that the metro's Blue Line is currently under major summer construction but it will be ending soon, on July 26! Free shuttle service will be provided between Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn St, Eisenhower Ave, and King-Street Old Town. Free express shuttles are also offered between Franconia-Springfield and the Pentagon. In addition, free parking is available at Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street!
Legislative Updates:
The Disability Community Reacts to the Passage of The President's Budget Reconciliation Bill
Before the July 4th holiday, the U.S. House of Representative held its final vote on The President's Budget Reconciliation Bill. It passed. Many in the disability community have reacted to this, but we still continue to fight. Read some of the posts below.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund ››
American Association of People with Disabilities ››
The ADA 35 Years Later Survey
The Southwest ADA Center recently published a survey asking the disability community to help measure the impact of the ADA - 35 years later! This survey is anonymous, and takes about 15 minutes of your time. Participation is voluntary!
It is also available in Low Vision mode.
Protect Disability Employment Support
The Department of Labor wants to change a rule that helps disabled people access job programs. This would make it harder for our community to get support finding jobs. We have until July 31st to speak out.
The Department of Labor Rolls Back Regulations that Promote Disability Employment
According to the American Association of People with Disabilities: "The Department of Labor recently rolled back three important regulations that promote disability employment. They're removing longstanding rules that mandate voluntary self-disclosure affirmative action requirements in apprenticeship programs and federal contracts to ensure 7% of federal contractors and apprentices are disabled. They also have rolled back a proposed rule ending the use of subminimum wage, which is paying disabled people less for doing the same work as their non-disabled coworkers. We strongly condemn the elimination of these rules. DOL has marked the first week of Disability Pride Month by making it much harder for people with disabilities to find competitive employment and get paid what we deserve."
Learn More About "Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act"››
More News to Explore:
Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
If your child has an IEP, you’re encouraged to complete the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. Your input helps make special education services stronger and more responsive.
Parents with more than one child receiving special education services through IEPs in Virginia’s public schools should submit one survey for each child. Please note that you will need to use a different browser (Safari, Google, etc.) or another electronic device (laptop, cell phone, iPad, etc.) if you complete surveys for multiple children.
Parent Involvement Take the Survey Now ››
Maryland Works & Maryland Department of Disabilities Employment Webinar Series
Maryland Works & Maryland Department of Disabilities will host webinar series for persons with disabilities looking for employment. This series will be on the 2nd Wednesday of every month through December!
Make Your Voice Heard
Are you or a member of your family a Medicaid member? Do you have ideas about how to improve the program to better serve you, your family, and others?
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is seeking participants for the Medicaid Member Advisory Committee (MAC). This committee helps to review new and existing policies, services, and materials, and makes recommendations to the DMAS Director and their executive leadership team.
Why should you participate?
You will play an active role in improving Virginia Medicaid
You will meet and work with other members from across the Commonwealth who are motivated to improve Virginia Medicaid for everyone who has coverage through the program
If you would like to be considered for membership, please complete your MAC application today!
Alexandria's Community Health Assessment Results
ECNV is pleased to announce that Alexandria's Community Health Assessment results are out and disability visibility is beginning: 25% of households live include a person with a disability and 47% of respondents identified mental health as the greatest health issue. ECNV's Lorena Granados represented ECNV on the Steering Committee.
Learn More About the Results ››
Celebrate ADA Events!
This year (2025), the Americans with Disabilities Act is 35 years old! Throughout the month of July, The ADA National Network is holding virtual and in-person events to celebrate the passage of this monumental law!
Check out to see what’s coming up ››
In addition, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is hosting a variety of signature events to celebrate the anniversary of this landmark legislation throughout the month of July 2025- along with some events around your neighborhood!
Celebrate Disability Pride Month at the MLK Library ››
Celebrate Disability Pride
This month, in addition to celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we are also celebrating Disability Pride. Did you know that the original disability pride flag was updated in 2021?
The original flag from 2019 featured bright colors in a zig-zag design, which caused issues for people with visually-triggered disabilities. The disability community worked together to create a new flag with straightened stripes and muted colors!
Each color on this flag has a special meaning:
Red - physical disabilities
Gold - neurodiversity
White - invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven't yet been diagnosed
Blue - emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression
Green - for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities.
The faded black background mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse. The diagonal Bband cuts across the walls and barriers that separate the disabled from normate society, also representing light and creativity cutting through the darkness.
The original Disability Pride flag was created in 2019 by writer Ann Magill, who has cerebral palsy.
Disability Pride Learn More ››
Read About the First Disability Pride Parade ››
Find a Cooling Center Near You
During extreme hot summer weather, it's important for everyone's safety to remain cool, especially if you spend long periods outside. See below for Cooling Centers near you!
Search Now within Fairfax County ››
Cooling Assistance Program for Fairfax County Residents
Cooling Assistance is a program designed to help keep vulnerable Fairfax County residents cool during the summer months. To be eligible, at least one household member must be: 60 or older, 5 or younger, or disabled according to Social Security, Medicaid or 100% Veteran’s Administration.
Applications for Cooling Assistance will be accepted from June 16 - August 15.
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 ››
Medicaid Waiver Rates
Did you know that July 1st was the beginning of the 2026 fiscal year? That means, updates are available to the Medicaid waiver rates. Learn more at The Arc of Virginia website.
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers ››
Research Opportunities:
MedStar Health Urinary Research Study
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).
Using the National Survey on Health and Disability to Document Experiences of Americans with Disabilities
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.
Events for Learning, New Opportunities and Advocacy
July
Metro Travel Training, (in-person), 7/25/25, 10:00am - 3:00pm,
You Belong Here Disability Awareness and Accessibility Training, (virtual), 7/31/25, 8:00am - 10:00am
You Belong Here Disability Awareness and Accessibility Training, (virtual), 7/31/25, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
ASL Social at Revolution Darts & Billiards, (in-person), 7/26/25, 5:00pm - 8:00pm.
August
Morning at the Museum, (in-person), 8/2/25, 8:30am - 10:00am, Museum at the National Museum of Asian Art, Freer Gallery of Art.
Deaf & ASL Social Night at Wegman’s Woodbridge, (in-person), 8/8/25, 6:00pm, 10:00pm.
Sensory Friendly Mass at Nativity Church in Burke, VA, (in-person), 8/10/25, 1:00pm - 2:00pm.
IEP University, (virtual), 8/8/25 - 8/27/25, 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Special Education Summit in Spanish, (virtual), 8/16/25, 10:00am - 2:00pm
The Basics of Medicaid Waiver, (virtual), 8/28/25, 11:00am - 12:00pm.
Check out ECNV's updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
