Educational Advocate on Disability Social Barriers, Loudoun

ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) that provides basic training in the areas of attendant management, transportation, self-advocacy, career development, and other areas of independent living.  CILs are non-residential places of action and coalition, where persons with disabilities learn empowerment and develop the skills necessary to make lifestyle choices. CILs provide services and advocacy to promote the leadership, independence, and productivity of people with disabilities. CILs work with both individuals as well as with the local communities to remove barriers to independence and ensuring equality of persons with disabilities.

Loudoun Endependence (LEND) is a satellite center of ECNV.  LEND works with its consumers, and their families, to end dependence by fostering self-reliance, self-determination, and adaptive skills.  Consumers develop a plan to achieve maximum independence and set goals towards that independence. Through counseling, sharing of experiences in coping with the effects of their disability, consumers learn about the needs and resources to achieve their goal. Peer counseling can be on an individual basis, as well as group support.

Independent Living Skills: Individual and group training is provided in several categories including personal assistant management, building self-esteem, money management, navigating one's environment, and self-advocacy. All programs are designed to meet individual needs. Also provides encouragement and information about community resources, sharing insights and perspectives from personal experience.

Bus Lines: Loudoun County 55, 56, 57, and Purcellville Connector 70.  The bus stop is a short distance from the LEND office.