Resource Library

Don’t See What You’re Looking For?

Although we do our best to provide timely and relevant information, it’s difficult to stay on top of ALL the topics and issues related to disability services. If you don’t see the information you’re looking for here in our resource library, click here to go to our Information & Referral Portal.

Using the portal, you can 1) Ask specific questions regarding your individual situation. An Arc employee will respond to your question and do their best to provide the information you’re searching for. You can also 2) suggest topics for guidebooks and information sheets not currently in the library. Much of what we have available is due to an individual request.

Abuse Among Those with a Disability

Helping your Loved One Become a “Tough Target” People with developmental disabilities are more likely than people without disabilities to become victims of crime. It is incredibly important to help prevent abusers from targeting your loved one, and prevent abuse from occurring even if someone is targeted.

What to Do if You Suspect Harm to Someone with a Disability

Advocating for Those with a Disability

Advocacy with The Arc of Northern Virginia

Aging with a Disability

Aging with a Disability: A Guide for Older Parents and Future Caregivers of Adults with Disabilities

Talking About Dementia: A Guide for Families, Caregivers and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act: Rights for People with Disabilities

An Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+)

Fact Sheet about CCC+ Managed Care

Consumer Directed Services

“Consumer directed” means that a person with a disability, often working with their family, decides exactly who will be hired to provide support services. The consumer is the person with a disability and they are “directing” or controlling exactly who will assist them.

Our Consumer Directed Attendant Guide provides information on understanding and utilizing consumer directed services to get the help you need in your home and community.

Disability and Law Enforcement Interactions – Criminal Justice Reform

Reports and studies show what we have come to know at The Arc of Northern Virginia quite personally– people with developmental disabilities are much more likely to have negative interactions with the justice system and end up incarcerated than the typically developing population.

Interacting with Police and First Responders

Crime Victims With Disabilities: Know Your Rights – This 4-page booklet was created by The Arc National Center on Criminal Justice & Disability.

Developmental Disabilities Identification Card – Fill in the form, print, cut, and keep with other ID cards.

Printable Car Bumper Sticker/Magnet – Download and print this image to tape inside your back windshield (just ensure it is visible through any window tinting.) Another idea is to have the image printed into a bumper sticker or car magnet. It notifies first responders that the applicant has a disability and may need accommodations.

Navigating Police Interactions for People with Disabilities – a one-page guide

* Tips on Navigating Police Interactions for People with Disabilities – (accessible document)

Video: Police Interactions for People with Disabilities – This video was developed as part of a grant funded by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for The Arc of Northern Virginia to create short videos with information on interactions between people with disabilities and the justice system. They’re designed to empower people with disabilities and let them know about options and accommodations they can request.

911 Calls

Navigating 911 Calls for People with Disabilities – a one-page guide

* Tips on Making 911 Calls for People with Disabilities – (accessible document)

Video: Calling 911 for People with Disabilities – This video was developed as part of a grant funded by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for The Arc of Northern Virginia to create short videos with information on interactions between people with disabilities and the justice system. They’re designed to empower people with disabilities and let them know about options and accommodations they can request.

Traffic Stops & Accidents

Navigating Traffic Stops for People with Disabilities – a one-page guide

* Tips on Navigating Traffic Stops for People with Disabilities – (accessible document)

Video: Traffic Stops for People with Disabilities – This video was developed as part of a grant funded by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for The Arc of Northern Virginia to create short videos with information on interactions between people with disabilities and the justice system. They’re designed to empower people with disabilities and let them know about options and accommodations they can request.

Script for an Auto Accident – This document is a one-page guidance script drivers with developmental disabilities can keep in the car to help them remember what to do, ask, and say in the event of an accident.

Comfort Kits

Comfort Kits for People with Disabilities – a one-page guide

* Comfort Kits for People with Disabilities – (accessible document)

Video: Comfort Kits for People with Disabilities – This video was developed as part of a grant funded by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for The Arc of Northern Virginia to create short videos with information on interactions between people with disabilities and the justice system. They’re designed to empower people with disabilities and let them know about options and accommodations they can request.

Resource Guides

Developing Positive Interactions for People with Developmental Disabilities and First Responders, Police, and the Justice System: A Guide for People with Developmental Disabilities and their Loved Ones is written for people with disabilities and their families aimed at planning to prevent negative interactions and how to managed if something goes wrong.

When Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Become Involved in the Criminal Justice System: A Guide for Attorneys is a parallel guide for attorneys hired to represent people with developmental disabilities to learn about the unique needs and rights of their new clients.

* = indicates a document formatted for accessibility.

Divorce

Divorce and a Child with a Developmental Disability

Early Intervention

Early Intervention – A two-page Fact Sheet to help answer some of your initial questions.

Starting Life with Your Child with a Disability: First Steps for Families

Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)

Fact Sheet: Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)

Employment

Entering the World of Work: A Guide to Employment Programs for Adults with Disabilities

Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance for People with Developmental Disabilities

Forms

Key Contacts for Disabilities Service Providers Sheet – (Template) – Use this handy resource to keep track of the various agencies and key professionals you work with in the developmental disability services field.

Housing

Finding a Home for Adults with Disabilities: A Guide for Families

Guide for Individuals and Families Looking for a New Home

Housing for Adults with Developmental Disabilities – A two-page Fact Sheet to help answer your initial questions about available options.

Residential Lease (Template)

Legal Authority – Guardianship – Supported Decision Making

Legal Authority, Supported Decision Making or Guardianship – Understanding and Making Choices with Supports

Jump to Supported Decision Making Library

Live-in Caregiving

We have seen a huge increase in the number of people opting to use live-in aides to make living with greater independence possible. These new guidebooks were created by The Arc of Northern Virginia in 2018 as a result of a grant award from the Arlington Community Foundation.

Live-in Caregiver Guide – Information for people with developmental disabilities and their loved ones on utilizing live-in supports will help people with disabilities and their families weigh the option of a live-in caregiver, learn how to proceed, and troubleshoot along the way.

Live-in Caregiver Guide for Caregivers – Information for people considering work or working as live-in caregivers for people with developmental disabilities is the parallel version for live-in caregivers, written to help them understand the requirements of the job, how to perform this work well, and what to do if they have problems.

Medicaid

Benefits of Waiver Medicaid

Disability Determinations at Age 18

Tips for Completing Medicaid Applications for People with Long Term Care Medicaid

Moving to Virginia

Considering a Move to Virginia? There are lots of things to consider and understand as you think about a move to the Commonwealth. This two-page Fact Sheet may help answer some of your questions.

Social & Recreation

Building Social Connections – These are resources in the Northern Virginia area that offer social and recreation opportunities to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.