Fact Sheet and Guidebook Topics:
ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts
Abuse Among Those with a Disability
Advocacy for Those with a Disability
Americans with Disabilities Act
Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+)
Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)
Emergency Services- Police, Fire, EMS, 911
Guardianship, Suppported Decision Making and Legal Authority
Legal Authority, Supported Decision Making and Guardianship
Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts
Transition from School-provided Services to Adult Services
Materials in Other Languages:
Video Playlist Topics:
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.
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Advocating for Those with a Disability
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Aging with a Disability
Aging with a Disability: A Guide for Older Parents and Future Caregivers of Adults with Disabilities
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Americans with Disabilities Act
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Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+)
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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.
This Consumer Directed Attendant FAQs document provides a brief overview on information on utilizing consumer directed services.
Watch this 3-Minute Webinar on Consumer Directed Attendant FAQs .
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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.
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Divorce
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Early Intervention
Early Intervention – A two-page Fact Sheet to help answer some of your initial questions.
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Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)
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Employment
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Financial Assistance
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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.
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Housing
Calculating Rent for Social Security Recipients in the Family Home – This handout gives information and ideas for setting up a rental agreement and charging rent for adult children receiving Social Security benefits while still living in their family home.
Housing for Adults with Developmental Disabilities – A two-page Fact Sheet to help answer your initial questions about available options.
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Legal Authority – Guardianship – Supported Decision Making
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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.
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Medicaid
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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.
You’ve Moved to Virginia Welcome! There are lots of things to consider and navigate as you settle into the area. Many services do not move with you from another state or area, so this handout will review some key things to know, as well as first steps and contacts as you make Virginia your home.
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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.
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Social Security
Initial Applications
Rental Agreement
Calculating Rent for Social Security Recipients in the Family Home – This handout gives information and ideas for setting up a rental agreement and charging rent for adult children receiving Social Security benefits while still living in their family home.
Representative Payees
Social Security and Waivers
Social Security and Working
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Special Education
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Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts
Types of Special Needs Trusts
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Top 10 Lists
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Transition from School-Provided Services to Adult Services
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Voting
Assisting Cognitively Impaired Individuals with Voting: A Guide A national resource guide on voting with information on how to help people with various cognitive disabilities navigate the voting process.
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Waivers
Frequently Asked Questions
Managing Your Waiver Services
Medicaid Benefits
Waiver Eligibility Assessments – VIDES
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Youth Programs
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Materials Printed in Amharic
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Materials Printed in Arabic
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Materials Printed in Chinese
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Materials Printed in Korean
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Materiales Impresos en Español – (Materials Printed in Spanish)
(Navigating Waivers for Developmental Disabilities: A Guide for Individuals, Families, and Support Partners)
(Transition Points Guides)
Ayuda financiera para personas con discapacidades de desarrollo
(Financial Aid for People with Developmental Disabilities)
Preguntas frecuentes sobre los beneficios del Seguro Social
(Frequently asked questions about Social Security benefits)
(Legal Authority)
Defensores y abogados de educación especial
(Special Education Advocates and Lawyers)
Preguntas frecuentes sobre cómo navegar por el sistema de exención
(Frequently Asked Questions on Navigating the Waiver System)
Vídeos en Español – (Videos in Spanish)
Las diez mejores herramientas de planificación para la discapacidad: un seminario web en 3 minutos
(Top 10 Disability Planning Tools: A Webinar in 3 Minutes)
¿Qué es una exención?: Un seminario web en 3 minutos
(What is a Waiver?: A Webinar in 3 Minutes)
Solicitar la exención: un seminario web en 3 minutos
(Apply for Waiver: A Webinar in 3 Minutes)
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Materials Printed in Vietnamese
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