January 2024 ECNV Newsletter
World Braille Day Celebrated 01/04/24
World Braille Day, celebrated since 2019, is observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.
What is Braille?
Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols. Braille (named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille) is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font.
Music Therapy
What is music therapy?
"Music therapy is the use of music and/or elements of music (like sound, rhythm and harmony) to accomplish goals, like reducing stress or improving quality of life. Music therapy helps people of all ages and all forms of life. It may benefit many different aspects of your well-being, including: mental, emotional, physical, social and cognitive." --Cleveland Clinic (resource)
Begin your year by tuning in to the staff-curated playlist featuring our favorite songs. Dive into the playlist showcasing each team member's favorite songs and discover the unique beats that resonate with us. Please note we do not have ownership rights to the music on the playlist.
ECNV Spotify Staff Playlist (Spotify Account Required)
ECNV's I Am Self-Advocacy Program: 2024
Program Overview
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.
Students in the IASA program work with their peer mentor in weekly one-on-one sessions at a speed and level that is individualized and conducive to their learning. During the weekly group sessions, they take what they have learned and delve deeper into program topics, participating in group activities and debates with their peers. By the end of the program, the students will have put together their own self-advocacy portfolio to include things they learned regarding self-awareness, disability awareness, self-determination, disability rights and responsibilities, how to be assertive, and how to engage allies and be an ally to others.
What’s Going on with RAMP?
On December 8th, we hosted the First Quarter Celebration activity at Bowl America in Fairfax. The event brought together an impressive turnout of five mentees, six parents, and one sibling. Initially, students approached the event hesitantly, but as time progressed, they collectively embraced the opportunity to celebrate the completion of Phase One of the program. Engaging with their peers and parents, students not only broke the ice, but also fostered motivation and healthy competition. The presence of all mentees' parents added to the positive atmosphere, creating a memorable experience for everyone. The anticipation for the next celebration is palpable among both students and parents.
ECNV Upcoming Events Calendar
January 17 – ECNV Board Meeting from 5:00 – 6:30 pm
*The social groups are run by ECNV Staff. These fun gatherings are a great time for connecting, sharing and often take place over a good meal. Perhaps you'll make a new friend, and with lots of pandemic mandates being lifted, it's a perfect time to come back out. For more information, contact info@ecnv.org
Be on the lookout for a distinct "Be in the Know" email, which will be distributed within the next few weeks.
ECNV Around Town
ECNV actively engaged to advance our distribution program for COVID-19 home test, organize vaccination clinics, conduct various community outreach initiatives and arrange program outings.
Vaccine for All!!
ECNV continues providing access to COVID-19 vaccinations, test kits, and pandemic support to community groups, BIPOC and immigrant organizations. We know that COVID-19 has a more devastating impact on disabled and elderly of diverse populations and ECNV continues to partner with the medical community, health departments and community groups.
About the ECNV Vaccine Project
ECNV is part of USAging’s Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative (ADVC) network, that distributes funding to organizations across the aging and disability networks to support an array of vaccination education and promotion activities, including community vaccine clinics, in-home vaccinations, transportation to vaccination sites, and outreach and education for older adults and people with disabilities. The ADVC is funded through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
ECNV focuses on providing access to the uninsured, underserved communities under the Bridge Access Program that provides vaccines at no cost to adults without health insurance.
Waypoint Vaccine Clinic
On Thursday, November 30, 2023, ECNV hosted a vaccination clinic at Waypoint Apartments in Alexandria. Some special guests also made an appearance: ACL's Alison Barkoff and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy! The Surgeon General received a vaccination at our clinic! Thank you for stopping by and recognizing ECNV’s vaccination efforts.
ECNV Continues Distributing COVID-19 Home Tests!
On Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Director of Multicultural Families Rosalia Fajardo distributed COVID-19 home tests at the Arlington Mill Community Center, for Latino families attending the graduation of Latinx in Business program hosted by our partner Shirlington Employment and Education Center.
Seniors Getting Vaccinated!!
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, ECNV in partnership with Wesley Housing and Walgreens provided vaccines to seniors residing at Coppermine Place in Herndon, VA. The clinic was in a festive environment for residents and another successful event where seniors received the flu and COVID-19 vaccine in the comfort of their place of residence. ECNV staff member Rosalia Fajardo coordinated the vaccine clinic.
2Gether International Flipping the Narrative
On Thursday, December 7, 2023, Cherie Takemoto and Rosalia Fajardo were delighted to attend the 2Gether International Flipping the Narrative. They were there to support ECNV Agents of Change graduates and Victor Wear co-founders Isaiah and Tiffany Hamilton as they pitched their upcoming Victor Wear Expo. The event was a homage to Judy Heumann, a supporter of this organization and many of us at ECNV.
The Arden Vaccine Clinic
On Monday, December 11, 2023, ECNV in partnership with Wesley Housing and Walgreens provided vaccines to seniors residing at The Arden Residences in Alexandria VA. Residents received the flu and COVID-19 vaccine. ECNV staff Rosalia Fajardo and Marcie Goldstein were coordinators for this vaccine clinic.
Advocates Speak at Arlington Legislative Forum
On Monday, December 11, 2023, advocates stood up to be heard at the Arlington Legislative Delegation Forum. ECNV Peer Mentor, Joseph Albert stressed the importance of being included, accepted and able to work. Director of Disability Justice, Cherie Takemoto spoke about the needs for changes for DD Waiver programs. ECNV Agents of Change (Arlington Three) Advocate, Ben McGann explained that virtual public meetings should be a disability accessibility right. ECNV Agents of Change (Arlington Three) Advocate, Huan Vuong advocated for the right to work - especially closer to home in Arlington.
ECNV Honors Jeremy Smith, Winner of 2023 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Award
On December 11, 2023, the Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board presented Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards to Cheryl Johnson, Jeremy Smith, and University Mall Theatres and Cinema Arts Theatre for their commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church. Jeremy is fulfilling his lifelong aspirations of being a role model and supportive advocate for himself and others with disabilities. In 2016, he graduated from Gallaudet University with a degree in Communication Studies, and he uses social media platforms to build communities. Jeremy serves on the Board of Directors at NVRC and is active with the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia. He is currently working on launching a website with his DeafPlus Advocate mission in early 2024. Congratulations again Jeremy and all of us at ECNV are proud of you!
National Landing Vaccine Clinic
On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, ECNV hosted a vaccine clinic at National Landing.
ECNV Communications and Publications Specialist Elaine Shaw administered the demographic survey, David gave out the gift cards and Rah was downstairs to help direct people to the clinic. Marcie Goldstein was on hand giving out the patient forms from Walgreens. Some ECNV staff even came down to get the updated COVID-19 booster; Program and Training Coordinator Andrew Shaw was the first patient of the day and Program Facilitator and Independent Living Specialist Maura Schmidt received hers as well.
Travel Training
During the week of 12/18/23, ECNV Travel Trainer Margarita Baquero took some photos of Nathaniel Thomas, who participated in the travel training. They went to Tysons Corner to buy Starbucks.
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