ECNV's Be in the Know: January 2025
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Stay Informed: Monthly Awareness Highlights
01/04/2025: World Braille Day
All Month: National Mentoring Month
Bienvenidos Todos Webinar Series
Save the Date: February 13, 2025 is the next Bienvenidos Webinar!
Bienvenidos Todos will host webinar presentations about disability resources and services especially for Latinos with disabilities, their families, caregivers, advocates, and those who serve Latinos. Monthly webinars will cover disability topics especially as they pertain to Latinos and their different residency statuses.
These webinars will be held the second Thursday of the month from 1:00 – 2:00 pm in English only and from 7:00-8:30 pm in Spanish only. We will ask you for optional demographic information so we can report to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities as our funding source. Once registered, we will send you email updates as reminders for each webinar.
Register Today for Bienvenidos ››
Transportation News:
Secretary Buttigieg Announces Sweeping Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities
On Monday, December 16, 2024, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel that will ensure that they can fly safely and with dignity.
The new final rule requires that airlines meet more rigorous standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities, especially for passengers who use wheelchairs. The rule sets new standards for assistance, mandates hands-on training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs, and specifies actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged or delayed during transport.
Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities; Adoption of Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, as part of continuous efforts to support transportation accessibility, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a final rule that will increase accessibility for transit users by providing local governments and other owner-operators of the public right-of-way clear, uniform, and technically defined standards of accessibility to guide their design decisions for new construction and alterations of transit stops in the public right-of-way.
Public Right-of-Way Standards ››
Free Service on Local and Paratransit Bus Services in Loudoun!
If you live in Loudoun County, free bus service is available for all local and paratransit users!
Free Service on Local and Paratransit Bus Services Begins January 2 ››
Big upgrades in Metro’s Signage Shop!
On World Braille Day, January 4, 2025, WMATA announced via video on their Facebook page, that they are in the process of updating their signage by "investing in a new routing machine capable of producing more high-quality signs—including Braille and tactile signs—for better accessibility. These machines allow us to work faster and more efficiently, creating signs that improve navigation for all riders.
Public Comment Opportunity: Proposed Metro FY26 Budget
The public comment period on Metro’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) is now open and the community is encouraged to take Metro's survey and provide written comments at wmata.com/budget by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, 2025.
Customers and the general public will have four opportunities to provide feedback publicly on the budget proposal. They are invited to participate in person, via video, or via telephone.
Metro FY26 Budget Public Hearings Schedule ››
CC2DCA Design Feedback Open House
The CC2DCA project team will be hosting an open house on January 29 to kick off feedback for design of the connector bridge, at the Aurora Hills Community Center.
I'm new here. What's CC2DCA?
This project will build a multimodal connection between the Crystal City neighborhood and Reagan National Airport (DCA). This way people will be able to walk, bike, or roll to the airport from Crystal City.
Learn more about the project and find event details on the project page.
Legislative Updates:
President Biden Signs New Laws, Relating to Persons with Disabilities
On Christmas Eve, The White House announced that President Joe Biden signed 50 bills into law on Monday. Three of the bills relate to persons with disabilities.
HR 7213 — Autism CARES Act, S. 2513 — Veterans Benefits and S. 4107 — Think Differently Transportation Act.
New Year, New Laws in Virginia!
Five new laws went into effect on New Year's Day, and two of them relate to persons with disabilities and seniors.
Minimum Wage Increase - Virginia's minimum wage will increase to $12.41 per hour. Marking a slight increase from the commonwealth's existing minimum of $12 per hour.
Jury service exemption age to increase 3 years - Mandatory jury service in Virginia currently includes the population from ages 18 to 70. That age will go up on Jan. 1, as 71, 72 and 73-year-olds will now be expected to show up to a jury once summoned. Anyone older than 73 can be exempted from jury duty upon request.
Vice President Harris Announces Final Rule Removing Medical Debt from All Credit Reports
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a final rule removing medical debt from all credit reports. Medical debt is the largest source of debt in collection in the United States, and it’s more likely to be held by women, people with disabilities and African Americans.
It was published in the Federal Register on January 14, 2025. The rule will be effective 60 days after publication.
VA General Assembly is Back in Session!
The Virginia Assembly current legislative session started on Monday, January 13, 2025. Follow the disAbility Center of Northern Virginia for the latest highlights and breakdowns of legislation as they relate to persons with disabilities.
Lawmakers will remain in session through February 22, 2025.
More News to Explore:
The Disability Community Mourns President Jimmy Carter
On December 29, 2024, the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, died at 100 years old. Carter did so much for the disability community. He created the Department of Education which opened up educational opportunities for disabled people who need accommodations to attend school. He signed Section 504 into law. He advocated for racial equality, fair and free elections, and much more!
To read more about Jimmy Carter's disability legacy click the links below.
"President Carter was a true champion of civil and human rights, and the programs and regulations he enacted as President helped establish that disability rights are civil rights in the United States." -- The American Association of People with Disabilities.
"His signing of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments expanded the role of the agency and paved the way for future rulemaking meant to advance access for all Americans. The Access Board mourns President Carter’s passing but celebrates his inspiring life of service to the United States.” -- U.S. Access Board.
"On Nov. 6, 1978, President Carter signed Public Law 95-602, replacing the former Title IV of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 with a new Title IV." -- National Council on Disability.
Request for Information Regarding the Impact of Ageism in Healthcare
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
is seeking information regarding the impact of ageism in health care. This request is open to the public and is part of an effort to better understand and quantify the impacts of ageism on health care quality, including aspects related to safety, timeliness, patient-centeredness, equitable distribution, and care outcomes. They are also seeking to understand how the effect of ageism differs across population groups and are interested in identifying efforts and innovative strategies and programs that address and mitigate ageism to optimize older adults' health.
Details on how to submit comments are available in the Federal Register notice.
For additional information, email Jose.Plascenciajimenez@ahrq.hhs.gov or call 301-427-1364.
Public comments are accepted until March 15, 2025.
Submit Comments on the Federal Register ››
Partners in Policymaking (PIP) and Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) Classes
Recruitment is now open for the next Partners in Policymaking (PIP) and Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) Classes!
PIP helps people with developmental disabilities and their family members learn advocacy and leadership skills. YLA helps students with developmental and other disabilities grow as leaders. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Download the PIP Application ››
Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) helps students with developmental and other disabilities grow as leaders. This year’s YLA will be held at Virginia State University between Monday, July 14, and Thursday, July 17, 2025. Students from across Virginia will gather to have fun and learn new skills. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025. Applicants must be rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors as of December 2024.
Download the YLA Application ››
Map Your Future!
Are you or someone you know in school and starting to think about career options? Be sure to consider DARS' Map Your Future event in 2025, designed to help students plan for a successful future and explore their career paths. This program is for students in high school who are deaf, hard of hearing or blind.
Registration deadline is June 2, 2025. Contact Traci Branch for questions.
Map Your Future Register today! ››
11 Ways to Respond When Someone Insults a Loved One’s Disability
Harmful language towards people with disabilities isn’t just making a comeback—it’s causing real harm. In TIME 's latest piece, CEO, Katy Neas, shares what to do when someone insults a loved one’s disability—and how we can push back against the culture that allows this. Fear and ignorance fuel discrimination, but together we can flip the script. By speaking up, educating others, and standing united, we can create a world where respect and inclusion are the norm.
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).
Having a Hard Time Paying Your Heating 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 ››
Events for Learning, New Opportunities and Advocacy
January
January Chat with an Attorney about Special Education, (virtual), 1/22/25.
Bus Trip to Richmond with the Arc of Northern VA, (in-person), 1/23/25, 6:45am - 3:00pm.
Social Skills Group Therapy (in-person), 1/29/25, 5:00pm - 6:00pm, 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg, VA, 20166
February
February Chat with an Attorney about Special Education, (virtual), 2/19/25. Limited slots are available
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