The Arc of Northern Virginia is happy to provide free virtual, in-person, and hybrid workshops for people with disabilities, their families, and professionals in the field. We know that understanding and navigating resources is key to having the support people with disabilities need for “A Life Like Yours” in the community, and sharing this vital information is key to our mission.
Much of our work is supported through fundraising and grants, so some webinars may require demographic information for the grant in registering.
We always welcome your memberships and donations to support our work and keep these sessions free for all.
If you would like a custom presentation for a group, please reach out to request one at https://thearcofnova.org/answers. We’ll need to know the topic you need covered, the size and needs of the audience, and a general schedule/timeline. At least a month’s advance notice is helpful. We are happy to create Zoom links for our virtual sessions, and to record them or be recorded, if you prefer to use your own platform.
We look forward to helping you get the information you need to navigate the world of disability services.
Menu of Presentation Topics:
1. Medicaid Waiver Basics– Medicaid Waivers are the primary way that people with developmental and medical disabilities get long term care services in Virginia. These Waivers fund in-home supports, virtual assistance, job and day assistance, and residential care. In the Medicaid Waiver Basics session, we will review eligibility for Virginia’s DD and CCC Plus Waiver, services offered, the application process, and information on how to navigate the waiting list. (1 hour, including questions)
2. Using Your Medicaid Waiver– For the tens of thousands of people in Virginia who have a Medicaid Waiver, there are many barriers to accessing services successfully. In this session, we review information on who the various parties are in the Waiver system, how to advocate for what you need, and how to get what you need from your Waiver. (1 hour, including questions)
3. Supported Decision Making Basics– The simple idea that we all get help to understand and make our choices, and some people need more help, is the idea behind Supported Decision Making. This is the best practice for helping people with disabilities maximize their independence, maintain their civil rights, and grow a long-term support system. This can be an alternative to guardianship and other costly, restrictive, forms of legal authority. (1 hour, including questions)
Note: this session can be customized to talk specifically about creating your Supported Decision Making team and troubleshooting with them, or making medical, financial and legal decisions.
4. Planning for Transition from High School– Moving from school services in childhood to adulthood services can feel like a whole new world. In this session, our staff will review things people with disabilities and families most need to know and do to make this move successful, and share tips on how to navigate various programs and services. (1 hour, including questions)
5. Special Needs Trusts– Eligibility for public benefits (e.g., Medicaid, Social Security) depends upon the countable assets the person with a disability has. In this session, our Special Needs Trust team will talk about how a Special Needs Trust can be used to receive, hold, invest, and inherit funds without jeopardizing benefits eligibility. The Special Needs Trust can also help the person with a disability manage their money effective. Our Special Needs Trust operates in Virginia, Maryland, and DC. (1 hour including questions)
Note that we can do many versions of this session with a range of special sub-topics, including:
i. SNT and ABLE Accounts
ii. SNT and Military benefits
iii. Legal Authority
iv. Real Estate in a Trust
v. Futures Planning
vi. Social Security Basics
vii. Letter of Intent
6. Housing Options for People with Developmental Disabilities– Figuring out how to pair together housing and services to ensure a great and safe quality of life feels overwhelming for many people with disabilities and their loved ones. This session looks at options you can use with or without a Medicaid Waiver, and with or without private resources. (1 hour, including questions)
7. Moving to Virginia with a Developmental Disability– Northern Virginia is a transient area, yet very few public services move across state lines. This webinar reviews 10 things you’ll need to know as you plan a move to Virginia and begin to navigate services here.
(45 minutes, including questions)
8. 10 Things Adult Siblings Need to Know– Being an adult sibling of someone with a developmental disability often means you are the first on board to help as parents age and pass away. In this session, we will discuss 10 things to think about at any stage in this process to get you prepared for what comes next. (1 hour, including questions)
9. How to Be a DD Advocate and Advocacy Basics– If you’re a person with disabilities, a family member, a loved one, or want to be an ally, this sessions is a way for you to learn about how advocating for policy change happens, and gives you ideas on how to get involved.
(45 minutes, including questions)
10. Introduction to The Arc of Northern Virginia and Our Resources– Are you new to The Arc of Northern Virginia, or would you like to introduce us to your networks? This session is a way for us to share information about our work and how anyone can get involved with us.
(30 minutes, including questions)
11. Benefits of Hiring People with Disabilities– Hiring individuals with disabilities is a great way to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization. This workshop explores how individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can provide valuable additions to your workforce as well as tips on support and etiquette when interacting with people with IDD. Participants will learn how community based organizations can bridge the gap between employers and job seekers with IDD to provide support and accommodations to help the employee work more independently. (Time 45 minutes with questions)
12. Disability Awareness, Sensitivity, and Inclusion– Disability Awareness empowers everyone with the knowledge to be responsive to the needs of people with disabilities. We will discuss the appropriate language and practice of proper etiquette to communicate. We all may have had interactions with people with disabilities and were unsure of what to say or do. In this session you will learn about types of disabilities and the unique barriers people face, language tips, and etiquette pointers. (Time 30-45 minutes with questions)
13. Tech for Independent Living Program– Our Tech for Independent Living Apps include our award winning TravelMate and EmployMate that can be utilized as a ‘virtual travel trainer’ or a “job coach in your pocket” helping individuals with disabilities live more independently and expanding supports for service providers through innovative technology. TravelMate and EmployMate walk both the employer, job coach or trainer and individuals with IDD step-by-step through their trip, work task, and supporting soft skills with customizable images, text, videos and other supports.There are different options for obtaining our apps depending on whether you represent a service-delivery agency or organization; or if you are an individual with a disability, family member, or care-giver. Information sessions will be customized depending on the audience. (Time 30 minutes with questions)
14. Social and Recreational Ideas– Making and maintaining social connections is important to developing meaningful relationships. Meaningful relationships and positive social experiences are crucial for facilitating social inclusion and contribute to one’s quality of life. This presentation walks you through a variety of resources in the Northern Virginia area that offer social and recreation opportunities to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Time 30 minutes with questions)
15. ADA Basics– The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a powerful federal law mandating that people with disabilities have equal access to a range of public and private settings and services. In this session, we speak about the basics of what the law covers, how to make an ADA request, and where to go if you have issues getting accommodations. (1 hour, including questions)
16. Voting with a Disability– Navigating voting options can be challenging for people with disabilities. This session reviews the flexibilities allowed by the ADA and Virginia law, ways to get needed voting accommodations, and voting rights. (30 minutes, including questions)
17. Custom Topics Presentations – We welcome your requests for custom presentations anytime for any and all groups, small or large.
Questions? We have your answers!
For further general information pertaining to any disabilities-related topics, visit our online Resource Library. You may also get answers to your specific questions by submitting an inquiry to our Information & Referral Portal.
