disAbility Resource Center

11/13/2025

✨ Quick Favor? We’d Love Your Input!

Are you a youth with a disability (ages 14–22) — or a parent/caregiver of one? We’d really love to hear from you! 💬

We’re creating a new self-advocacy curriculum, and your feedback will help us make it meaningful, practical, and truly useful for Virginia’s youth.

It only takes a few minutes to share your thoughts. Just tap the link or scan the QR code in the image below to jump into the survey!

👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCNKKTS

Your voice helps shape stronger self-advocacy skills and more confident futures. 💪💚

11/12/2025

💙 November is National Family Caregivers Month 💙

Every November, we pause to recognize and honor the millions of family caregivers across the country who give their time, energy, and love to support loved ones with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related conditions.

Here in our community, caregivers are the heart of care — often balancing full-time responsibilities while providing essential support that makes independent living possible. Your compassion, strength, and dedication do not go unnoticed.

This month’s theme reminds us that caregivers need care, too.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia or another condition, there are many local and national resources to help you find support, education, and connection — including Aging Together, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Caregiver Action Network.

Take time for yourself, reach out for help when you need it, and remember — your work truly matters. 💙

11/12/2025

✨ All aboard for holiday lights and inclusive fun! ✨

’s Reimagine Recreation program has added a second trolley for their FREE Light It Up Driving Tour — and 30 more spaces are now open!

🎄Enjoy a festive evening on Monday, December 15, featuring a holiday light tour, s’mores, crafts, music, and sensory-friendly activities.

🚌 The trolley is wheelchair accessible, and Access 4 All kits (noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, AAC cards) will be available to support sensory needs.

📍 Meet: Lenn Park Pavilion
🕠 Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
💵 Cost: FREE (but pre-registration is required!)

🎟️ These seats will fill up fast — register for your spot today!

👉 Register today at the link below!
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/culpepercopandr/activity/search/detail/7176?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Let’s help spread the word about inclusive recreation in our community!

Questions? Contact kvetere@culpepercounty.gov!

11/12/2025

📣 Happening at the Disability Resource Center!

We’re excited to host Accessible Travel: Tips & Tricks, a presentation by Jennifer Farrar, an accessible travel agent with Accessible Escapes LLC.

Join Jennifer as she shares travel tips and resources for people who need mobility accommodations, are immunocompromised, or have a chronic illness. She’ll also discuss her services and how an accessible travel agent can help make travel easier and more enjoyable!

🗓️ Thursday, December 11
🕓 4–5pm
📍 Disability Resource Center
409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg

Learn more about Jennifer and Accessible Escapes at www.AccessibleEscapes.org

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Veterans Day Closure

Our office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day as we honor and thank those who have served our country.

We will reopen with regular business hours on Wednesday, November 12.

11/08/2025

🎄 Together for the Holidays 🎁
Inclusive Celebrations for Families of All Abilities

The holidays should bring joy — not stress!
Join ASSIST Disability Services for a free, family-friendly workshop on making holiday gatherings more inclusive, calm, and meaningful for everyone.

🗓 Wednesday, Nov. 12
🕒 3–5 PM
📍 disAbility Resource Center
409 Progress St., Fredericksburg
💵 Free & open to all families!

Learn easy ways to:
✨ Include everyone in family traditions
✨ Plan for sensory needs and surprises
✨ Focus on connection, not chaos

Let’s make this holiday season brighter — together! 💛

🔗 More info: adsva.org/together-for-the-holidays

11/07/2025

🌟 Turning 18: What Youth with Disabilities Need to Know 🌟

Turning 18 is a big milestone — and for youth with disabilities, it brings important decisions about legal rights, education, and supports for adulthood.

Join Kendra Wormley from the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) for this free statewide training hosted by the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) and funded by the Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council.

🗓 Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM
💻 Attend virtually from anywhere or
🏢 Join us at the disAbility Resource Center to tune in together!

This session will help families and young adults understand what to expect — and how to prepare — for the transition to adulthood.

👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fKm4vfxkRJWMxHivRnxCRw

11/06/2025

🎅✨ Santa at the disAbility Resource Center! ✨🎅

Celebrate the season with us at the dRC! Enjoy photos with Santa, crafts, cocoa, and holiday fun for all ages. Families are welcome to bring a wrapped gift for Santa to present to their child.

This event is designed especially for families of children with disabilities, offering a welcoming and inclusive holiday experience. Santa is fluent in ASL to help make every visit merry and inclusive for all! 🤟❤️

📅 Event Dates:
🎄 Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | 6–8 PM
🎄 Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 3–6 PM

📍 Location:
disAbility Resource Center
409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

📝 Registration is required!
👉 Register here: https://cildrc.networkforgood.com/events/93330-santa-visits-at-disability-resource-center

💬 Accommodations available upon request.
Please contact us at least 10 business days in advance.

☎️ 540-373-2559
🌐 www.cildrc.org

11/04/2025

📢 Important Notice for Election Day

Please note that the disAbility Resource Center will be closed on Election Day to allow our staff time to vote and support civic participation.

We encourage everyone to make their voices heard! 🗳️

Thank you for your support and understanding. We’ll be back to regular hours tomorrow!

Election Day is TODAY, Tuesday, November 4th. Polls will be open from 6am to 7pm. If you are in line by 7pm then you can vote.

Didn’t get to register to vote? You can register at the polls and you will receive a provisional ballot.

Curbside voting and accessible voting machines are available!

Remember to keep handy all election protection numbers and share with friends and family.

⭐️ASL: 301-818-8683

⭐️English: 866-687-8683

⭐️Spanish: 888-839-8682

⭐️Asian Languages: 888-274-8683

⭐️Arabic: 844-925-5287

10/30/2025

💡 Do you ever feel overwhelmed when it comes to your child’s school supports? You are not alone! Whether you’re trying to understand IEPs, 504 Plans, or just figuring out what resources are available, PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) is here to guide you every step of the way.

👩‍👩‍👧 Join us for in-person Community Office Hours at the disAbility Resource Center in Fredericksburg. This is a safe and welcoming space where families can ask questions, get practical advice, and connect with caring advocates who truly understand the challenges and the victories that come with supporting your child’s education.

📍 Where: 409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg, VA
🗓️ When: Thursday, November 6th | December 4th
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

✨ Why come?
✔️ Get one-on-one time with knowledgeable PEATC staff
✔️ Learn strategies for navigating school meetings and paperwork
✔️ Leave feeling informed, confident, and supported

📞 Questions before you come? Call or text Rhonda at 703-673-4344.
🌐 More info: PEATC.org/Regional-Community-Office-Hours

👉 No registration required — just drop in. We’d love to see you there!

10/29/2025

Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) Program

The Commonwealth of Virginia has announced the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program to help ensure families continue to have access to food during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Beginning in early November, current SNAP recipients will receive weekly VENA benefits through their existing EBT cards. These temporary, state-supported benefits will replace monthly SNAP payments until federal funding is restored.

VENA benefits will follow the regular SNAP schedule, with weekly issuances as follows:
📅 Monday – households that normally receive SNAP on the 1st
📅 Wednesday – households that normally receive SNAP on the 4th
📅 Friday – households that normally receive SNAP on the 7th

The state has also provided $1 million in additional support to Virginia food banks to help meet increased demand during this period.

For more information and updates, visit:
🔗 https://dss.virginia.gov/snapfacts/