Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination

Self-Advocacy means speaking up for yourself, making decisions about your life, finding supports, and understanding your rights and responsibilities. As a self-advocate, it's important to understand the need for self-determination as you problem solve, listen and learn, and reach out when you need help.

Programs & Services

Currently showing 127 local programs & services.
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LOCAL

Disability Rights and Advocacy

Groups and organizations that protect the rights of people who have physical, mental, developmental or learning disabilities.

Disability Advocacy and Education

Access Independence, Inc.

324 Hope Drive, Winchester, VA 22601

See map: Google Maps

Main: (540) 662-4452
Fax: (540) 662-4474
Community Education and Training for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Access Independence, Inc.

324 Hope Drive, Winchester, VA 22601

See map: Google Maps

Main: (540) 662-4452
Fax: (540) 662-4474
Families First

Chesterfield County Department of Mental Health Support Services

6801 Lucy Corr Drive, Chesterfield, VA 23832

See map: Google Maps

Main: (804) 318-8648
Fax: (804) 318-4809
Disability Advocacy and Education

disAbility Resource Center

409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

See map: Google Maps

Main: (540) 373-2559
Fax: (540) 373-8126
Toll-Free: (800) 648-6324
Advocacy for People with Disabilities

disAbility Resource Center

409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

See map: Google Maps

Main: (540) 373-2559
Fax: (540) 373-8126
Toll-Free: (800) 648-6324
view all (102)

Centers for Independent Living

Organizations providing services and advocacy by and for persons with disabilities.

Independent Living Center

Access Independence, Inc.

324 Hope Drive, Winchester, VA 22601

See map: Google Maps

Main: (540) 662-4452
Fax: (540) 662-4474
Center for Independent Living

disAbility Resource Center

409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

See map: Google Maps

Main: (540) 373-2559
Fax: (540) 373-8126
Toll-Free: (800) 648-6324
Center for Independent Living

Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living

36282 Lankford HWY, Suite 13-D, Belle Haven, VA 23306

See map: Google Maps

Main: (757) 414-0100
Fax: (757) 414-0205
Toll-Free: (800) 384-2988
Independent Living Center

ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia

2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 305, Arlington, VA 22201

See map: Google Maps

Main: (703) 525-3268
Fax: (703) 525-3585
Loudoun ENDependence (LEND)

ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia

215 Depot Ct SE, Suite 203, Leesburg, VA 20175

See map: Google Maps

Main: (571) 291-9550
Fax: (571) 291-9552
view all (25)

Statewide and Nationwide

Disability Rights and Advocacy

Groups and organizations that protect the rights of people who have physical, mental, developmental or learning disabilities.

Spinal Cord Injury, Advocacy

United Spinal Association of Virginia

800 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23219

See map: Google Maps

Main: (804) 803-3696
Transtion IEP

Virginia Legal Aid Society

513 Church Street, Lynchburg, VA 24505

See map: Google Maps

Main: (434) 528-4722
Toll-Free: (866) 534-5243
Information Line at Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

ADA Information Center for the Mid-Atlantic Region

12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850

See map: Google Maps

Main: (800) 949-4232
Fax: (301) 251-3762
Library of ADA & Disability Related Publications

ADA Information Center for the Mid-Atlantic Region

12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850

See map: Google Maps

Main: (301) 217-0124
Fax: (301) 251-3762
Toll-Free: (800) 949-4232
Education & Advocacy

American Association on Health and Disability

110 North Washington Street , Suite 328-J, Rockville, MD 20850

See map: Google Maps

Main: (301) 545-6140
Fax: (301) 545-6144
view all (43)

Centers for Independent Living

Organizations providing services and advocacy by and for persons with disabilities.

Advocacy for People with Disabilities

National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)

2013 H St. NW, 6th Floor, Washington , DC 20006

See map: Google Maps

Main: (202) 207-0334
Toll-Free: (877) 525-3400
Centers for Independent Living

Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services: Centers for Independent Living

8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Richmond, VA 23229

See map: Google Maps

Main: (800) 552-5019

Articles

Aging, Disability, and the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is important to people of all ages including older adults.
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Center for Future Planning

Future planning is important for all families. Thinking about the future can be challenging and emotional. However, experience shows that adults with I/DD make a better transition from the family home when a future plan is in place.
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Centers for Independent Living

An overview of the vital role of Centers for Independent Living (CIL's) in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Although CIL's vary, most provide advocacy, information and referral, independent living skills training and peer support.
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Communicating With and About People with Disabilities

Positive language empowers. When writing or speaking about people with disabilities, it is important to put the person first.
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Disability Podcasts Worth a Listen

It's no surprise why more and more people are listening to podcasts. Podcasts provide an easy way to connect with others, hear stories, and find information and resources.
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Partners in Policymaking

Learn all about the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities' Partners in Policymaking program for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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PEATC Special Education Resources

Explore PEATC's factsheets and resource documents on important topics related to special education and transition to adulthood.
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Secure Your Financial Future: A Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities

This toolkit provides resources and strategies for your employment journey.
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Self-Advocacy

Self-Advocacy is involvement in your own life and standing up for what matters to you such as an unmet need, change, or barrier.
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Supported Decision Making and Your Health

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) has resources and information for health advocacy and supported decision making to support your health care decisions. According to the NDRN, Supported Decision Making (SDM) is an approach to decision making for persons with disabilities to help them make a decision in any area of their lives.
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The ADA and Caregivers: Frequently Asked Questions

The ADA and Caregivers: Frequently Asked Questions factsheet covers frequently asked questions on the relevance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to caregivers.
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Books & Guides

A Comprehensive Approach to Transition

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) has produced A Comprehensive Approach to Transition to help people work together to support the self-determined transition of youth to adulthood and community life.
A Family Toolkit: Pediatric-to-Adult Health Care Transition

The Family Toolkit helps prepare parents, caregivers and youth for health care transitions to adulthood.

Links

Videos

Effective Job Accommodation Products and Services

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has Solution Showcase videos that show examples of products and services that can be used as effective job accommodations. Recent topics include “Compact Material Handling,” “Video Remote Interpreting and Video Relay Services,” “Simulated Skylights,” “Supine Workstations,” “Dual Channel Headsets” and “Timers.
Future Financial Planning for People with Disabilities

The Arc Center for Future Planning has developed a video series for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families as they plan for the future, including having a financial plan. Video topics include information and resources on ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts. These videos are also available in Spanish.

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Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination

Disability Rights and Advocacy

Centers for Independent Living

Disability Rights and Advocacy

Centers for Independent Living

Effective Job Accommodation Products and Services

Future Financial Planning for People with Disabilities

Features