ADA Disability Rights: The Series en Español - Employment Equality
Employment Equality: The session explains the protections offered by the law, how to request accommodations during the hiring process and on the job, and provides practical examples regarding visible and invisible conditions such as ADHD, diabetes, epilepsy, depression, autism, and PTSD. It also clarifies that the ADA does not replace legal requirements for employment but does protect against discrimination and promotes accessibility and equal opportunity in the workplace.
ADA Disability Rights: The Series en Español - General Overview
‘Know Your Rights’ in Español
General Overview: This session explains what the law protects, who is covered, what reasonable accommodations are, and why using person-centered language is key to combating stigma surrounding visible and invisible disabilities. It also previews upcoming installments on employment, accessibility, school transition, and assistive technology, with time set aside for audience questions.
ADA Disability Rights: The Series en Español
The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center teamed up with ECNV for a new webinar series, “ADA Disability Rights,” which was presented entirely in Spanish. In this series, they discussed the “Americans with Disabilities” (ADA), how it protects us and how to enforce it. Click on the following links to review study guides, and watch accompanying videos.
Hill Visits
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, was "Hill Day." Many ECNV staff members visited the Capitol and met with their respective members of Congress to advocate on behalf of the organization.
ALT: Group photo 1 (left to right): Eddy, Congressman Walkinshaw, Laura, Jimena, Elaine, Andrew.
Group photo 2 (left to right): Eddy, Ana Bradic, Laura, Jimena, Andrew and Elaine.
ECNV Staff at the NCIL
ECNV was well-represented at this year's NCIL conference. Travel trainer Joe Postow, Lead Community Activist Jimena Barron, Policy & Advocacy Coordinator Laura Kim, travel trainer Karla Nativi, Community Transition Liaison Vanessa Romero, Lead, Disability Justice and Strategic Innovation Cherie Takemoto and Information & Referral Specialist (and DME) Alexa Mavroidis!
ALT: Left to right front row: Joe, Jimena, Laura, Carla.
Second row: Heidi, Vanessa, Natali, Roman.
Third row: Cherie, Aida, Alexa
Travel Training Adventure
On 07/14/26, Travel Trainer, Karla, and Sharin traveled to the Smithsonian and stopped by the Springfield Metro Station so Sharin could receive her Senior SmarTrip® card. Every trip builds confidence, independence, and the skills to navigate the community with greater ease.
ALT: Travel Training student Sharin poses with her new Senior SmarTrip® card.
Cherie Takemoto Receives Judy Heumman Award
On Monday, July 20, 2026, ECNV Lead, Disability Justice and Strategic Innovation, Dr. Cherie Takemoto, proudly celebrated on receiving the Judy Heumann Award. This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing disability rights, particularly for immigrants with disabilities. We are grateful for Cherie's dedication, advocacy, and the lasting impact she continues to make in our community. Congratulations, Cherie, on this well-deserved recognition!
ALT: Photo Collage (Left to Right): Photo 1 - Dominique Dunford-Lack, Rebecca Cokley and Cherie Takemoto posing with their awards, and Rosalia Fajardo; Photo 2: Rebecca Cokley and Rosalia Fajardo; Photo 3 on bottom center: Cherie Takemoto and Rosalia Fajardo.
ECNV Staff Join the 2026 NCIL March
On 07/21/26, ECNV staff, Roman and Karla, attended the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) 2026 Annual Conference, to march to the Capitol. The theme was “Protect. Persist. Prosper.”, focusing on defending independent living, advancing the movement, and building a thriving future for the disability community.
ALT: Karla and Roman at the NCIL March!
Arlington County Board Honors ECNV
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, JD Spain Sr. from the Arlington County Board presented a Proclamation honoring Disability Pride month and recognizing disability nonprofits serving Arlington including The Arc of Northern Virginia, SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC, and ECNV - ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia!
ALT: ECNV represented at the Arlington County Board meeting, from left to right: Rosalia Fajardo, Laura Kim, Jimena Barron, (non-ECNV staff, JD Spain, Sr.), Cherie Takemoto and Dominique Dunford-Lack.
Advocacy Radar: Changes in Washington Threaten Disability Rights and Programs
On June 18, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a legal memo saying that federal disability rights laws do not require states to provide services in the most integrated setting.
Sweet Jake Ice Cream Shop
On Friday, June 26, 2026, RAMP students created their own ice cream flavor. The RAMP Rainbow Vanilla Coco Fudge for "A Career Shadowing Activity"
Thank you, Robin Rinearson and Jake's Ice Cream, for their dedication and support and for making this event possible!!
ALT: A brown bag from Jake's Ice Cream, with text written on it that reads: Rainbow Vanilla Coco Fudge RAMR.
School Health Nurses Program Conference
On Monday, June 22, 2026, Rosalia Fajardo, Director of Strategic Disability Partnerships at ECNV, was invited to serve as a keynote speaker at the School Nursing Program Conference, an initiative of the Fairfax County Health Department. This program plays a vital role in ensuring access to health services—including vaccinations—and supporting community initiatives that extend beyond the school setting to foster healthier communities for all.
ALT: Bio of guest speakers at School Health Nurses Program Conference; Rosalia Fajardo presenting at the School Health Nurses Program Conference; Attendees at School Health Nurses Program Conference; School Health Nurses Program Conference at the Fairfax County Government Center.
All But the Most Disabled Threatened by Medicaid Work Requirements
New federal work requirements could cause people with disabilities in the Medicaid expansion population to lose coverage — even when they should qualify for an exemption. Medicaid is a critical source of health care and home and community-based services (HCBS) that help many people with disabilities live independently. Last year, H.R. 1 added new work requirements to Medicaid expansion programs, putting coverage at risk for people who may face barriers to work, documentation, or navigating the exemption process.
Divide to Conquer? Education and Civil Rights Being Split Apart
On June 16, the Trump administration announced new interagency agreements that would shift some responsibilities for special education and civil rights enforcement from the Department of Education to other federal agencies. In plain language, an interagency agreement is an arrangement between federal agencies about how they will share or carry out work — but disability and education advocates are concerned that these agreements could make it harder for families to know where to go for help.
DOJ Memo Threatens the Right to Live in the Community
It’s been a busy — and deeply alarming — few weeks in Washington. Three major things have happened this month that directly affect people with disabilities.
2026 Virginia Legislative Update on Disability-Related Bills
What happens when a student needs more support at school? What happens when a person under guardianship wants to vote? What happens when someone with a developmental disability is in crisis or becomes involved in the court system?
These are not just policy questions. They affect whether people with disabilities can learn, vote, live in their communities, and get support when they need it most.
Several bills addressing these issues passed during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session and have now been signed into law. Here’s what passed — and what didn’t — and what it means for you.
