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http://www.theaccessibilitynp.com/

The Accessibility NP, 313 E Broad Street, Richmond, VA (2025)

11/15/2025

The Echo Dot has quietly become one of the most meaningful tools I use in assistive technology. It’s familiar, it blends into any space, and it supports independence in ways people often overlook. When we talk about access, this is a beautiful example of how everyday tech can reduce barriers without feeling overwhelming.

What makes the Echo Dot powerful is how it meets disabled individuals exactly where they are. A simple voice command can replace a task that once felt stressful. Alarms make transitions smoother. Timers help with routines. Music and calming sounds support regulation when the day feels heavy. These small moments build confidence and create a rhythm that feels predictable and safe.

For non-speaking and semi-speaking communicators, the Dot becomes part of a larger communication system. Whether someone speaks verbally, uses AAC, or communicates in their own unique way, having a device that listens without judgment and responds every time is powerful. It validates their communication and gives them access to moments of independence that truly matter.

I’ve seen how much relief this brings to families and caregivers. It takes some of the weight off constant prompting, supports smoother mornings and evenings, and allows disabled individuals to participate in their routines with more autonomy. None of this feels clinical. It feels natural. It feels peaceful.

Assistive technology doesn’t always have to be specialized to be effective. Sometimes it’s a small speaker sitting on a nightstand, helping someone move through their day with more clarity, comfort, and control. And when you see someone light up because they requested their favorite song or set their own alarm, you realize just how meaningful access can be.

If you’re considering using the Echo Dot as assistive technology in your home or classroom, there’s so much potential in simply starting small and building from there. Independence doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be accessible.

11/14/2025

Here’s your revised caption with fully fact-checked content and hashtags added at the end — written in your warm, conversational advocacy tone and aligned with all your preferences (no numbers, no bullets, accessible, no bold, no colons in titles, using disabled, etc.):

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Caregiver burnout has been heavy on my heart lately. The recent shutdown lasted 43 days, the longest in our country’s history. During that time, members of Congress from both parties shared how exhausting and discouraging the gridlock felt. The pressure of navigating a crisis with no end date took a real toll.

And yes… prolonged stress like that is real.

But in the disability community, burnout doesn’t come with a start date or an end date. It doesn’t lift when a bill finally passes. It doesn’t pause for negotiations. It shows up every single day.

Caregivers don’t get days off from medical needs, equipment delays, behavioral support, therapy schedules, school meetings, or safety concerns. There is no reset button. There is only love, responsibility, and the weight of systems that are often slow, underfunded, or inaccessible.

When Congress publicly acknowledged the strain of 43 days, it reminded me how deeply caregivers carry stress that never stops. Because caregiving isn’t temporary. It’s constant. It’s necessary. And it’s shaped every day by the decisions made in policy rooms far away from the people living the impact.

This is why policy matters. This is why funding matters. This is why accessible systems matter. Because caregiver burnout is not a headline. It is a daily reality for families supporting disabled individuals who deserve stability, support, and access.

The shutdown ended after 43 days. Caregiver burnout doesn’t get that kind of ending.

Caregivers show up anyway. And they deserve a government willing to show up for them too.

11/11/2025

Today, we honor all who have served—those who stood on the frontlines, those who came home forever changed, and those whose service continues in ways we’ll never fully see.

To every veteran, thank you for your courage and sacrifice. And to our disabled veterans, your strength, resilience, and commitment remind us that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—it transforms into a different kind of fight, one that still protects freedom and dignity every day.

We see you. We honor you. We thank you.

11/08/2025

The Supreme Court allowed the current administration to pause full funding for SNAP—what many know as food stamps.

That means millions of families may receive partial benefits this month while the case moves through the courts. SNAP helps more than 40 million Americans afford groceries each month, including children, older adults, and disabled individuals who already face higher food costs and barriers to access.

Here’s what’s happening in plain language:
Because of the government shutdown and lack of new funding from Congress, the USDA said it couldn’t afford to send out full November SNAP payments. A lower court ordered the administration to release the full amount, calling it “irreparable harm” to take food away from families. The administration appealed—and the Supreme Court stepped in to temporarily block that order.

For disabled individuals and families, this hits especially hard. Many already earn far less than minimum wage. The federal rate is still $7.25 an hour, but under an outdated law, some disabled workers can legally earn below that—sometimes only a few dollars an hour. Combine that with rising costs and limited access to employment, and every dollar counts.

The average person on SNAP receives about $187 a month for food—around $6 a day. That’s meant to cover all meals.

When benefits are delayed or cut, it’s not an inconvenience—it’s a crisis. For disabled people, it means deciding whether to buy food or medication, whether to keep the lights on or eat dinner. These aren’t choices anyone should have to make.

This isn’t about misuse or dependency. It’s about survival, justice, and dignity. SNAP bridges the gap for those facing barriers to full-time work or fair pay. Reducing access doesn’t save money—it deepens inequality.

Access to food isn’t a privilege.
It’s a human right.

11/05/2025

The days after an election always reveal more than results—they reveal character. Lately, I’ve seen too many posts where disagreement turns into name-calling. People using cruel words to feel powerful, to prove a point, or to silence someone who thinks differently. That’s not strength—it’s bullying.

Name-calling is bullying, whether it happens on the playground, at work, or online. It’s the adult version of the same behavior we try to protect our children from. When we use insults to feel superior, we aren’t empowering ourselves—we’re modeling disrespect. And our children are watching every bit of it.

For disabled individuals, this kind of behavior is painfully familiar. Many have lived their entire lives being belittled for how they communicate, learn, or move through the world. When adults—especially those in leadership—resort to name-calling, it reinforces the message that difference is something to mock rather than respect. It normalizes cruelty.

We cannot call for inclusion while excusing public bullying. True leadership—whether in politics, schools, or everyday life—requires humility, empathy, and restraint. Disagreeing doesn’t give anyone the right to demean another person. We can challenge ideas without attacking identities.

Words carry power. They can build bridges or burn them. If we want a more inclusive and compassionate world, we have to start with how we speak to and about one another.

Kindness doesn’t make you weak. Respect doesn’t mean you agree. And silence in the face of cruelty doesn’t protect peace—it enables it.

Let’s choose better. Because the words we use today will echo in the world our children inherit tomorrow.

11/04/2025

Today is Election Day—a reminder that democracy is not a spectator sport. It’s a collective act of courage, responsibility, and hope. Every time we cast a ballot, we are shaping the kind of world we want to live in—one rooted in equity, accountability, and access for all.

For many, voting isn’t simple. Barriers still exist—physical, systemic, and attitudinal. Polling places that lack accessibility, information not provided in alternate formats, and limited transportation options can all silence voices that deserve to be heard. That’s why accessibility and inclusion must always be part of the conversation when we talk about democracy. Access isn’t just about ramps and technology—it’s about ensuring that everyone can participate fully, freely, and safely.

The words of John Lewis still ring true today:
A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.

So today, vote with purpose. Vote with your moral compass. Vote as if someone’s access, dignity, and future depend on it—because they do.

Whether you’re voting early, in person, by mail, or curbside—show up in whatever way you can. The fight for equity doesn’t end at the polls, but it begins there.

Because peace, progress, and justice aren’t guaranteed—they’re protected by those who refuse to stay silent.

10/30/2025

For the disability community, insurance subsidies aren’t just about lowering premiums. They’re about survival, stability, and staying connected to the care that makes daily life possible.

Many disabled individuals rely on Affordable Care Act plans because they don’t qualify for full Medicaid or are waiting for SSI or SSDI approval. These subsidies make it possible to see specialists, access therapy, afford medications, and keep durable medical equipment in good repair. Without them, coverage gaps grow wider—and those gaps can be devastating.

Families caring for disabled loved ones also depend on these subsidies. Many have left full-time work to provide care and lost employer insurance in the process. Subsidies make private coverage affordable again, often preventing families from falling through the cracks.

They also protect independence. When disabled adults can work part-time or run small businesses without losing affordable coverage, that’s real inclusion in action.

So while it may sound like a “budget debate” in Washington, what’s really at stake is whether disabled people and their families can keep the medical care, therapies, and supports they depend on. Because access to health care should never come down to politics—it’s about people, and it’s about dignity.

The government shutdown isn’t just a policy standoff—it’s a real threat to access and equity. For many in the disability community, it’s about whether life-sustaining care continues uninterrupted. Access delayed is access denied, and no one should have to fight for the right to stay healthy.

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10/30/2025

The time change is coming this weekend, and while most people are excited about “falling back” and gaining an extra hour of sleep, that single hour can mean something entirely different for many in the disability community.

When routines are the foundation of your day, even a small shift can feel big. Our bodies and minds rely on rhythm—wake times, meals, medications, sensory regulation, and bedtime routines that keep things balanced. That extra hour can throw everything off for days, sometimes weeks. For some, it might look like increased fatigue or agitation. For others, it’s harder mornings, restless nights, or emotions that just feel heavier.

If you’re a caregiver, you might already be planning ahead—adjusting sleep times, dimming lights earlier, or adding calm transitions to help ease the change. Those small steps matter. They build comfort, not chaos.

So as we fall back, remember—this isn’t just about clocks. It’s about bodies, rhythms, and the grace it takes to recalibrate. Take things slow. Keep your expectations soft. And know that it’s okay if your week feels a little off while everyone adjusts.

Here’s to gentleness, patience, and the reminder that rest is productive too.

10/28/2025

Critical thinking isn’t just an academic skill—it’s a lifeline. It challenges us to pause before accepting what’s presented, to ask why systems function the way they do, and to consider who benefits and who is left behind.

In the disability community, critical thinking is more than curiosity—it’s survival. It’s what drives a parent to question an IEP that looks compliant but doesn’t create real access. It’s what pushes advocates to ask why accessibility is often treated as an afterthought instead of the standard. It’s what fuels disabled professionals to demand not just a seat at the table, but the power to shape the table itself.

In today’s America, disability is still framed through politics, policy, and perception. Critical thinking cuts through that noise—it reveals the ways ableism hides in “good intentions” and how token gestures are mistaken for progress. It reminds us that inclusion without accountability is just a slogan.

When we stop thinking critically, bias wins. Systems stay broken. But when we question, analyze, and reimagine, accessibility becomes more than compliance—it becomes community.

True inclusion grows from the willingness to think deeply, challenge comfort, and rebuild what was never designed with disabled people in mind. Accessibility begins in the mind, but it’s sustained through action.

10/27/2025

This quote reflects where our country is today. Across the nation, discussions about healthcare, education, and civil rights are shaping the future of disabled individuals and their families. Policies being debated in state and federal spaces directly impact access to support services, inclusive education, Medicaid waivers, and voting rights. These decisions determine whether people can live in their communities, receive the care they need, and fully participate in society.

Disabled Americans deserve stability, funding, and protections that are consistent—no matter who is in office. When budgets are cut, programs stall, or rights are questioned, it creates barriers that make everyday life harder for millions of families. The tragedy isn’t disability. The tragedy is when systems are built without disabled voices and when access becomes negotiable instead of guaranteed.

Judy Heumann taught us that change is possible, but it requires awareness, advocacy, and a commitment to equity. As conversations continue across the country, my hope is that our leaders prioritize inclusion, protect the progress that has been made, and create policies that honor the dignity and autonomy of disabled individuals.

Access is a right. Inclusion is a responsibility. And a society that removes barriers is a society where everyone can thrive.

10/20/2025

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and I want to be very clear — dyslexia is more than reading. It affects spelling, writing, working memory, processing, organization, and the pace at which information connects and makes sense. It shows up in school, at work, and in everyday moments that most people never even think about.

I’m dyslexic. That doesn’t mean I’m incapable. It doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention. It means the way I absorb, access, and express information isn’t always supported by traditional systems. I’ve had to work harder than most, not because I lack intelligence or ability, but because the world isn’t built with dyslexia in mind.

This month isn’t just about saying “reading is hard.” It’s about real understanding — the kind that recognizes the invisible effort, the extra steps, the processing fatigue, and the constant problem-solving that dyslexic individuals navigate every single day.

Dyslexia doesn’t make me less. It makes me dyslexic. And that identity deserves respect, support, and access — not stigma, pity, or lowered expectations.

Here’s to deeper awareness, meaningful accommodations, and systems that support how dyslexic individuals learn and communicate. Because when we remove barriers, we don’t just change outcomes — we change lives. 💙

10/19/2025

Have you seen Carl the Collector on PBS Kids? It’s one of the first children’s shows with an autistic lead character—and honestly, it’s such a breath of fresh air. Instead of pushing a narrative that students need to “fit in,” it shows a world where different ways of communicating, learning, and processing are simply part of the community.

Carl is a young raccoon who loves collecting treasures—stickers, bottle caps, tiny objects that make him light up. He has routines, big feelings, and moments where the world is too much. He also has joy, curiosity, real friendships, and a voice that matters. That balance is powerful. It doesn’t flatten autism into a stereotype. It reflects the real lived experiences of so many disabled kids and their families.

What I love most is how the show normalizes support. Noise is too loud? Someone offers headphones. A routine changes? Friends help Carl navigate it. No shame. No “fixing.” Just understanding, compassion, and practical tools.

Representation like this matters. Kids who are autistic deserve to be seen—not as side characters or teaching moments, but as the center of the story. Carl shows young viewers that inclusion isn’t an exception. It’s the standard. And for parents, educators, and caregivers, it’s a reminder that every child’s way of moving through the world is valid.

More of this, please. More voices. More stories. More authentic representation on our screens, in our classrooms, and in our communities.

Have you watched it yet? What did you think?

The Accessibility NP

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Monday	9am - 5pm
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