About the Fellowship
The Frank Trippett Advocacy and Outreach Fellowship was established in 2021 by the family and friends of the late Frank Trippett. It was created as a tribute to his years-long advocacy on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Under the supervision of the Director of Advocacy, and in cooperation with other staff members, the Trippett Fellow assists with grassroots advocacy and outreach to families with a loved one with a developmental disability. Working to engage families in the legislative process, with a focus on policies and legislative issues that affect the disability community, the Trippett Fellow also helps people with disabilities and their families advocate for systemic change. Additionally, the Trippett Fellow assists with outreach activities to educate families about the resources that are available for them and their loved ones.
About Frank Trippett
After his retirement from government service in 2001, Frank Trippett (1951-2021) and his wife Linda worked closely with The Arc of Northern Virginia to build a rewarding life for their daughter Hailey. Described by Linda as “a man of substance and a man of integrity,” Frank strove to advocate not just for his family but for an entire community. Building on the support and resources the Trippett family found in their partnership with The Arc of Northern Virginia, Frank was tireless in his commitment to assisting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve lives of their own choosing within their community.
The Fellowship seeks to create an enduring legacy to Frank’s advocacy and deep personal commitment to helping other families like his connect to vital resources.
About the Trippett Fellow
In August of 2023, The Arc of Northern Virginia announced the appointment of Rob Hudson as the Frank Trippett Advocacy and Outreach Fellow.
Rob’s advocacy on behalf of his daughter, Schuyler, who has a rare disorder called polymicrogyria, has guided his personal philosophy for the past twenty years. He published a memoir about Schuyler with St. Martin’s Press in 2008. Rob has written for a number of publications and has presented, with Schuyler, at numerous disability and assistive technology conferences. Their message is one of hope, and most of all the belief that disability rights are human rights.
“I am honored and excited to have this opportunity through the Frank Trippett Advocacy and Outreach Fellowship to expand that advocacy and put everything I have learned over the years to work. The thing I vividly remember when Schuyler was diagnosed was feeling like we were all alone, and that we were powerless. Both turned out to be untrue. I am deeply committed to helping families of loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities build and nurture our community of like-minded families and individuals, and most of all to help them become effective advocates for that community.”
Rob is an intergral part of The Arc of Northern Virginia staff, working in the Communications and Community Relations department, supporting Advocacy efforts and other programs and projects of the chapter. He has fourteen years of experience in communications at The University of Texas at Arlington and has also worked in special education for the Fairfax County Public Schools.
Advocacy questions? We have your answers!
To learn more about the Frank Trippett Advocacy and Outreach Fellowship, our year-round advocacy activities, or our priority issues, contact our Director of Advocacy Lucy Beadnell at lucy.beadnell@thearcofnova.org.
For further general information pertaining to waivers, visit our online Resource Library. You may also get answers to your specific questions by submitting an inquiry to our Information & Referral Portal.
Support the Work of the Fellowship
Consider making a financial contribution to The Arc of Northern Virginia to honor Frank’s memory and his commitment to outreach and advocacy.
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