Empoderando a Todos los Ciudadanos: Entendiendo los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidades en Virginia
En Virginia, los derechos de las personas con discapacidades no son sólo una cuestión de política, sino un reflejo del compromiso del estado y de ECNV con la inclusión y la igualdad. Este artículo destaca cinco derechos críticos que protegen y empoderan a las personas con discapacidades en varios aspectos de la vida.
Entendiendo los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad en Virginia
Entendiendo los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad en VirginiaEn Virginia, las personas con discapacidades tienen derechos específicos diseñados para garantizar que tengan igualdad de oportunidades y estén protegidas contra la discriminación. Estos derechos abarcan varios aspectos de la vida cotidiana, como la participación en programas estatales, el empleo, la educación, el acceso a los espacios públicos y el transporte. A continuación, exploramos cinco derechos fundamentales que tienen las personas con discapacidades en Virginia.
Gráfica: Bienvenidos escrito verticalmente en texto negro en negrita. A la izquierda hay un texto blanco en negrita que dice: Proyecto Sabias Que? El fondo es un hombre hispano que viste un suéter amarillo y usa lenguaje de señas para hablar con alguien. La frente muestra una taza de café sobre una mesa de madera. En la parte inferior está el logo de ECNV.
New Laws Effective July 1st!
On July 1, 2024, several new laws went into effect, relating to persons with disabilities. They are as follows…
Image: A Statue of Lady Justice.
Organizadores Communitarios
El Proyecto Bienvenido se dedica a proporcionar información vital a las comunidades latinas en Virginia con discapacidades y sus familias, empoderándolas para que accedan a los derechos, servicios y oportunidades de las personas con discapacidades.
Margarita Goes to the White House!
On Tuesday 06/18/24, Margarita sat on the panel at the White House during the 25th anniversary of The Olmstead v. L.C. decision was a landmark ruling by the United States Supreme Court on June 22, 1999.
Margarita standing in front of The White House sign and American flag
RAMP Mini Update: July 2024
RAMP Mini Update for July 2024.
A group photo of RAMP students at Bowlero event.
ECNV Honors Leeann Alberts for Dedicated Service with Special Thank You Lunch
On Friday, May 31st, a Thank You Lunch was held to honor Leeann Alberts for her dedicated service on the ECNV Board.
Image: Susan on left, Dominique standing in middle, Leeann holding the award on right.
RAMP Fourth Quarter Celebration
On June 14, 2024, Mentees, parents, and siblings gathered for a Final Celebration at Bowl America in Fairfax, Virginia.
Image: RAMP participants pose with their certificates in hand.
ECNV’s I Am Self-Advocacy Program: Buckle Up for Summer 2024!
We are excited to begin our Summer I Am Self-Advocacy Program, and while we are packing our typical eight-week program into four, these four weeks are also packed with FUN Leadership Fridays! Check out some highlights on what this cohort of students can expect every Friday throughout July.
[Image: Three circles overlapping each other with words Self Advocate in the center and words Motivated, Committed, and Passionate on each circle].
Hablemos sobre IDEA
Que es IDEA?: (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act por sus siglas en Inglés).
Es la ley federal que garantiza que los estudiantes con discapacidades reciban una educación pública gratuita y apropiada que se adapte a sus necesidades individuales.
Gráfica: Bienvenidos escrito verticalmente en texto negro en negrita. A la izquierda hay un texto blanco en negrita que dice: Proyecto Sabias Que? El fondo es un hombre hispano que viste un suéter amarillo y usa lenguaje de señas para hablar con alguien. La frente muestra una taza de café sobre una mesa de madera. En la parte inferior está el logo de ECNV.
Honduras Mobile Consulate
On Monday, May 24, 2024, ECNV partnered with Honduras at the Mobile Consulate, hosted by Fairfax County and Walgreens for a COVID-19 vaccination clinic. This clinic was mainly for new immigrants from Honduras. Guests received resources on food, health and education. ECNV distributed around 300 free home COVID-19 tests.
(Left to Right): ECNV staff Rosalia Fajardo female in white t-shirt and khaki pants surrounded by event attendees; part of the more then 400 hundred participants. (Bottom): Rosalia Fajardo female in white t-shirt and khaki pants.
WMATA Travel Training
On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, ECNV Training and Mobility Manager Andrew Shaw presented a special travel training at WMATA headquarters. ECNV's new travel trainers also attended. Mr. Shaw talked about what to take with him when he travels by train.
Image: Travel trainer Andrew Shaw explains the basics of travel training.
Bienvenidos Conference
Our ECNV’s Bienvenidos Conference sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center took place on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Falls Church, VA. The conference was the first of many very informative, impactful, and fundamental events bringing together the Latino community of parents, young adults, caregivers who are native Spanish speakers. The conference brought together over 60 participants from across the northern VA area seeking to learn about how they can support their children, family members, and self-advocates with important leaders in the disability community.
A group photo of Bienvenidos Conference attendees.
Disability Resource & Employment Fair
On Friday, May 3, 2024, ECNV participated in the Disability Employment and Resource Fair sponsored by The Arc of Loudoun and the Loudoun Workforce Resource Center, co-hosted by the Loudoun County Board of Disability Services. The event was well attended – over 250 fair goers!
Left to Right: Rosalia with a Hispanic female staff member from the Arc of Loudoun; Rosalia with travel trainer, Hunter Cardwell.
Arlington Chamber’s 38th Annual Best Business Awards
On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Rosalía Fajardo, Director of Disability Equity Strategic Partnerships at ECNV, attended the Arlington Chamber's annual Best Business Awards event. ECNV was a sponsor and was nominated.
(Left to Right): ECNV table at the Arlington Chamber Annual Best Business Awards event; Rosalia Fajardo with Executive Director of Doorways in black dress and burgundy leather jacket; (Bottom Center): ECNV Executive Director Dominique Dunford during the speech presenting about ECNV in olive green blouse.
Culmore Community Day
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, ECNV celebrated Culmore Community Day, hosted by Fairfax County. This event was created over seventeen years ago as a multicultural celebration by the global community of Bailey's Crossroads and Culmore. Despite the rain this year, this event was a success in bringing the community together to celebrate the diversity that makes us strong and connected.
(Left to Right), New ECNV staff member, Lorena Granados with Rosalia Fajardo and ECNV travel trainer, Margarita Baquero at the ECNV staff table; Attendees passing by ECNV table.
Powered by Connection Resource Fair
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, ECNV is proud to sponsor the Powered by Connection Resource Fair. This event was held this year at the beautiful INOVA Conference Center and focused on the profound impact that "Powered by Connection" has on the well-being and health of older adults. The fair was about the transformative potential of community engagement to improve mental health, physical and emotional well-being, filled with education, resources, empowerment but most of all, CONNECTIONS!
(Left to Right): Pansy Walker, Senior Outreach and Expansion Coordinator, speaking to a consumer; Attendees of the Fair. (Center): Pansy Walker and Rosalia Fajardo.
ECNV’s I Am Self-Advocacy Program: Summer Session 2024
The IASA (I Am Self-Advocacy) Program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 14-22, hone their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of individual and group sessions. Funded by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), this program is offered to students referred by the Fairfax, Alexandria, Leesburg, and Manassas DARS offices.
[Image: Three circles overlapping each other with words Self Advocate in the center and words Motivated, Committed, and Passionate on each circle].
Newcomer Health Fair
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, ECNV partnered with a vaccine clinic and distributed free at-home COVID-19 testing kits at the Newcomer Health Fair. Refugees from Afghanistan and other countries received free services from more than 25 health organizations. This event was an opportunity for individuals and families to interact with medical professionals. Everyone is encouraged to join this free event and take advantage of the wide range of health resources available. We were very excited to serve the most vulnerable and needy communities!
(Top, Left to Right): A female Walgreens pharmacist, getting ready to vaccine a Latina woman; A group of Afghan females, and males waiting to get the vaccine; (Bottom Center): Rosalia Fajardo with Samantha Wentling, surrounded by Afghan refugees holding ECNV gift bags.