In this edition, Advocacy Alert; What is there to do on the internet: community programs for all ages. From the ECNV Director and more. Plus COVID-19 Resources.
[Image: Square graphic with colorful fireworks and "Happy New Year" in neon lettering.]
|
|
Endependents Social Group (Virtual Via Zoom)
When: January 22, 2020
Where: Zoom 4pm - 5pm
Description
The ENDependents is a monthly social group that meets for pizza at the ECNV office at 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 250, Arlington, 22201. Everyone is welcome! Join us for food and fun for just $5! Check the calendar for dates and times. Because of the pandemic we are meeting virtually until further notice so bring a snack and join us for games and make new friends on Zoom!
Contact Ruchika Lalwani at ruchikal@ecnv.org | 703-719-1369 | TTY: (703) 525-3553 to find out what we're doing next.
(Image description: Girl with mustard color sweater and cut out jeans on her laptop)
|
|
Young Adult Knights (ages 18-30) Virtual Via Zoom
When: January 22nd, 2020
Where: Zoom at 6:00pm
RSVP: Email michellew@ecnv.org or call 703-719-1379 for more information. TTY: (703) 525-3553
Description:
Young Adult Knights has gone virtual. If you are between the ages of 18-30 and want to make connections and friends in a relaxed fun atmosphere then please join us. We will meet once a month via Zoom. So far we have had so much fun playing online games and having virtual movie nights. RSVP to Michelle Williams if you are interested!
[Image Description: illustrated image of bright colorful people in a group]
|
|
What to do around the net?
We continue to work from home and practice social distancing but we wanted to be sure that you know there's so much that has opened up to do and get involved in right from the comfort of your own home, and on the Internet.
Recently, ECNV - LEND staff participated in providing information about our support groups through a webinar hosted by the Arc of Northern Virginia. All of the speakers present, shared an overview of the programs available for people with disabilities of all ages. With the convenience of technology, and remote set up, these programs are open to many more participants, that when meeting live and in person were once inaccessible due to distance and thus completely out of reach.
Check out this video which is linked below for your convenience. All of those running various programs overviewed their offerings and what might be of interest to you and shared how to contact them to take part.
Image: The thumbnail cover for the video at the Arc of Northern Virginia Youtube page]
|
|
Contact Congress Today about COVID-19 Relief!
by: Doris Ray , Director of Advocacy and Outreach
Tell our Virginia’s U.S. Senators and our Representatives from Northern Virginia to OPPOSE any COVID relief bill that contains “liability shields for businesses, school systems and educational facilities, health care providers, nursing facilities, and non-profits for any harm or injury done during the COVID pandemic. Shielding businesses using the excuse of COVID could have the effect of weakening our hard-won civil rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Act and other disabilities rights statutes. It would most certainly send a message to the American public that the lives and rights of children and adults with disabilities are expendable.
ECNV (ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia) urges YOU to join us in fighting back against this attack on our rights and our very lives!
Additionally, the alert below explains why we need a targeted increase in funding for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services to be included in any COVID relief bill that Congress enacts to ensure that people with disabilities living in the community have the personal assistance and other long term support services and supports that will keep them out of nursing facilities and safe at home rather than forcing them into congregate settings where they are far more likely to contract COVID. Furthermore, the bill Congress adopts should include funding to reestablish the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program in states like Virginia who have had to discontinue their programs. This funding is critical to helping centers for independent living (CILs) like ECNV to get people out of nursing homes and into their own homes so they can make their own choices about how to live their lives safely in the midst of this global pandemic.
Read the alert below and then contact our U.S. Senators and Representatives. Tell your own story and let them know that voters with disabilities nationwide our watching!
Image: Two hands with palms open in various colors.
|
|
We are all in this together, and that's sometimes hard to see when we're all in our own homes and practicing social distancing. Please be mindful that as more groups open up to make persons eligible to get the COVID 19 vaccine, do not neglect an opportunity to schedule and have an essential conversation with your doctor. You will want to get your primary care physician's input on such an important decision.
Unfortunately, there's not much data about the vaccines' interaction with various types of disability. Yet, we all know that any chronic disease is made more complicated by an adverse reaction and illness. ECNV is continuing to stay connected with each other, our consumers, and partners. We have a working document to bring you up to date resources during this pandemic. If you have questions or resources you would like us to be aware of, please reach and send them to info@ecnv.org and someone will get back to you.
When you don't know where to turn for vital information around COVID, your peer counselor, the ECNV website, the CDC, and the Virginia's COVID-19 official information here. You should also check with your national and chapter organizations related to your specific disability. If you are not affiliated with a local advocacy organization that assists people with your particular kind of disability, now would be a great time to become more familiar with your association, any of their doctors, specialist, and other advocates. Often local chapters of international and national organizations can connect you with peers and families that share experiences similar to your own and they can help you address anything you may not have been thinking about.
[Image Description: Picture of the COVID 19 virus with red spikes, and the words COVID-19 in red and resources in white with a dark background.]
|
|
Traveling to the DC Metro Area and need a personal assistant? ECNV maintains a PAS registry which is a list of individuals who are available to provide personal assistance. The registry offers consumers and social workers in different counties a resource for finding providers. Many of them have home health care training and are willing to work at a mutually agreeable rate that can be lower than prevailing rates charged by home care agencies. The registry, which is updated on a regular basis, may be obtained by request from the PAS Coordinator. Assistants listed in the registry have completed an application that provides information about their experience and qualifications including personal references. The applicants are then required to attend a training workshop, orienting them to the philosophy of consumer-directed services before being added to the registry.
If you wish to apply to be a personal assistant please fill out the application and submit to Ruchika Lalwani. Her information is below.
Please contact Ruchika Lalwani at ruchikal@ecnv.org or (703) 525-3268 for further information about the PAS registry. TTY: (703) 525-3553
ECNV does not conduct background or reference checks but encourages consumers to do so before hiring a provider. ECNV does not offer personal assistant management training to consumers.
[Image: Man in grey suit in black wheelchair, facing away taking a picture of a lake with the words "traveling into our area and need a PCA?"]
|
|
Click here for more information about our program, how to donate and to view many of the equipment we have in our inventory.
For more information please contact selving@ecnv.org.
[Image Description: Blue wheelchair, steel walker, wood crutches]
|
|
If you have received any services from the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) or LEND, we’d like your feedback. Your input helps improve the quality of our services and ensures we are meeting your needs.
[Image Description: White notebook with the words satisfaction survey and check boxes for excellent, good, acceptable and fair with a red pen that has check next to excellent in red. ]
|
|
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to ECNV
{Image Description: Words amazon in black with a half arrow smile and the words smile in orange. Under it the words you shop. amazon gives.]
|
|
|
|
Follow Us on Social Media |
|
|
|
|
|
|
