Disability Rights of West Virginia

01/20/2026

On January 20th, the International Day of Acceptance encourages everyone to embrace those of all abilities. The day also supports those with disabilities.

Did you know that 15 percent of the world’s population has some form of disability? Up to 190 million people around the globe have a significant disability. In many places, they are often ostracized, live in poverty, and cannot get an education. In many instances, people with disabilities are seen for what they can’t do instead of what they can.

Let’s work together to include those with all abilities. Every person has rights and their voice matters. And, all have the power to make a difference in the world!

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACCEPTANCE On January 20th, the International Day of Acceptance encourages everyone to embrace those of all abilities. The day also

01/20/2026

01/20/2026

Attn: Families and caregivers of WV students in grades 6-12 who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) or visually impaired (VI).

The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are hosting another week-long Discovery P.O.I.N.T. session during February 8-12, 2026. In addition to the program's hands-on career training and life skills preparation, this session will also include an adaptive ski trip sponsored by the WV Lions Club Recreation Program!

Learn more and register: https://forms.office.com/r/ZxASXYktSX

West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

01/19/2026

01/16/2026

Please join us (virtually) on February 19, 2026 from 7-8 pm, with Autism Specialist Cara Reel, for an Overview of ASD webinar.
This event is free to attend but you must register using the QR code on the flyer. Once registered, you will receive a link to the event.

01/08/2026

Join the WV Statewide Independent Living Council and the Fair Shake Initiative for the Stewart's Legislative Conference on January 28-29, 2026 at the capitol in Charleston, WV!

This conference helps participants learn advocacy tips for approaching legislators, with an opportunity to visit with representatives and voice concerns about current issues. Various independent living resources and vendors will also be available.

January 30, 2026 is Independent Living Day at the Capitol, a day of education and advocacy for the independent living community.

Learn more and register for both events: https://wvsilc.org/events

WV Statewide Independent Living Council
Fair Shake Initiative

01/06/2026

National Braille Literacy Month is celebrated in January every year. It is also a celebration of the founder, Louis Braille’s birthday. Apart from honoring Braille’s legacy, this month aims to educate people about the importance and advantages of Braille literacy. The Braille system came as an advantage to people who suffer from different vision problems. The system remains unchanged to date. Now that Braille has been incorporated into digital devices and computers, it has become more accessible and relevant to the present technology-driven world.

National Braille Literacy Month encourages the learning of Braille and making the world a better place for our visually impaired mates!

12/23/2025

https://givebutter.com/DRofWVMatchDonation
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We’re excited to share that our end-of-year matching donation fund is officially OPEN — and we invite you to be part of this powerful moment for disability advocacy across West Virginia.
Thanks to a generous matching donor, every gift made right now will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $500. That means together we can unlock up to $1,000 to support the advocacy, education, and protection work of Disability Rights of West Virginia.
Why This Matters
This match directly strengthens efforts that:
• Protect the civil and human rights of people with disabilities
• Support individuals and families navigating complex systems
• Promote access, inclusion, and independence statewide
• Ensure West Virginians with disabilities have a strong voice
Every matched dollar helps ensure this vital work continues into the new year.
How the Match Works
• Donate any amount
• Your gift is matched 1:1
• Match applies to the first $500 raised
• Gifts made before December 31 qualify
💛 A $25 gift becomes $50.
💛 A $100 gift becomes $200.
💛 Together, we can reach the full $1,000 impact.
👉 The matching fund is now live — give today to double your impact!
Thank you for standing with Disability Rights of West Virginia and for your continued commitment to justice, equity, and access for all. Your support truly makes a difference!

12/22/2025

Unsheltered homelessness is increasing.

Many of their families don't know where they are. When they become sick or injured and they die in an ER or in the street, their families don't know. Sometimes, they left for a reason or had nowhere else to go. No matter what their story was, they deserve respect and a ceremony to remember them.

National Homeless Persons' Remembrance Day on the first day of winter remembers those in the homeless community who have died the previous year. The day reminds us to honor them and remember the life they lived.

NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS' REMEMBRANCE DAY National Homeless Persons' Remembrance Day on the first day of winter remembers those in the homeless community who

12/19/2025

We want to talk about school transitions for people with disabilities.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says that transition planning should focus on what students want to achieve after high school. This includes things like instruction, future goals, job evaluation, and daily living skills. The transition plan should be tailored to each student's needs and goals.

A smooth transition can improve the future for students with disabilities after high school. Transition meetings, self-advocacy, and preparation can help students make the most of their education and available resources. According to IDEA, students need to start talking about their transition needs by the age of 14.

Our School Transitions page includes a "Know Your Rights" section for students and families to learn more about the many laws that protect their access to education. You can also browse several resources, including our Handbook for Reasonable Accommodations in the College Classroom, which provides a step-by-step guide for requesting and implementing accommodations for both students and faculty.

Check it out: https://cedwvu.org/transitions/school-transitions/