Center for Disability Leadership - CDL

Center for Disability Leadership - CDL The Center for Disability Leadership supports and encourages people with disabilities to become leaders in their own lives and communities.

12/23/2025

We want to hear from YOU!

The My Life, My Community website is a central hub for information about developmental disability services, supports, and resources for individuals and families in Virginia. It is developed by the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) in partnership with VirginiaNavigator.

Please take our brief 5‑minute survey and share what’s helpful, what’s missing, and what would make the site easier to use.

Maybe you have the My Life, My Community website saved in your bookmarks. Maybe you have never heard of it or used it — and that's okay! We encourage you to complete the survey and to share it with individuals with DD and their families, professionals, and community partners. Your input will help DBHDS and VirginiaNavigator make the website more accessible, useful, and welcoming for everyone!

The survey closes on Tuesday, December 23rd at 11:59 p.m.

Thank you!

12/19/2025

DID YOU KNOW? Helen Keller

Annie Sullivan arrived at the Keller home to meet her new student, Helen. "Doll" was the first word Annie spelled out in Helen's hand. Water was the first word Helen comprehended.

Who are we? Link in bio 🎉
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

12/19/2025

DID YOU KNOW? Stuttering

FACT: When a person who stutters speaks in unison with another person, they become much more fluent - this is called the CHORAL SPEECH EFFECT.

INVENTION: SpeechEasy allows a person to hear their own voice with a slight pitch shift and delay, similar to an echo. This tiny device sits in the ear and creates the Choral Speech Effect.

Who are we? partnership.vcu.edu

The Partnership is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Virginia Department of Education - VDOE

12/18/2025

DID YOU KNOW? Electric Wheelchair

1916: The first motorised wheelchair was invented in London and was used mostly for injured veterans

It wasn't until 1953 when this invention was FINALLY mass produced

The electric wheelchair has become so critical to the health and wellbeing of our society that the World Health Organization has declared it "a basic human right"

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Partnership for People with Disabilities Association of University Centers on Disabilities

12/18/2025

DID YOU KNOW? Special Ed

The Rehabilitation Act guaranteed civil rights to all disabled people and required accommodations for students in schools.

1975: Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) guaranteed the right of children with disabilities to receive a free, appropriate education.

1997: EHA was revised as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA emphasized the use of individual education plans, or lEPs, for all sped students and provided applicable standards.

Who are we? partnership.vcu.edu

The Partnership is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities

12/17/2025

🎉EXCELLENT RESOURCE!

The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Transition POINTS program critical information on SIX KEY DECISION POINTS in the lifetime of an individual with an intellectual disability.

1. Early Intervention
2. Special Education
3. Transition to Community Services
4. Housing Options
5. Meaningful Employment
6. Aging Considerations

LINK: thearcofnova.org/program/transition-points/

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

12/17/2025

DID YOU KNOW? Our History (us🤩)

VCU was founded as a medical department and later became the "Medical College of Virginia" in 1854

1968: The General Assembly merged the MCV with the Richmond Professional Institute to create VCU

1985: The Partnership for People with Disabilities (PPD) was founded as an affiliate of VCU's School of Education

In 1985: The Partnership also became Virginia's only University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) - part of a national network created by federal law in 1963 to improve research, training, and services for people with developmental disabilities

Who are we? partnership.vcu.edu

The Partnership is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Virginia Department of Education - VDOE Association of University Centers on Disabilities

12/16/2025

DID YOU KNOW? White Cane

UK artist James Biggs lost his sight. Threatened by traffic, Biggs painted his walking stick white to make himself more visible.

10 years later, France launched a national white stick movement, leading to a similar movement in the UK.

In 1931, the Lion's Club International began a national program promoting white canes.

1964, Congress signed into law authorizing October 15th of each year as "White Cane Safety Day.”

Who are we? partnership.vcu.edu

The Partnership is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Virginia Department of Education - VDOE

12/15/2025

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know the first Deaf permanent school in America opened in 1817 in Hartford, CT? This school gave rise to American Sign Language (ASL) and a new era of Deaf education.

It was called the "Mother School" because it trained teachers who went on to establish other Deaf schools across the U.S., spreading Deaf education nationwide.

The school became a cornerstone of Deaf education and culture, influencing the spread of ASL and the recognition of Deaf identity across the U.S.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Partnership for People with Disabilities Association of University Centers on Disabilities

12/15/2025

Did you know "Talking Books" began in 1931?

That year, the U.S. passed the Pratt-Smoot Act, funding library services for blind adults and sparking the creation of audio recordings called Talking Books.

The first title was Gulliver's Travels, recorded on long-playing phonograph records, years before LPs became mainstream.

Today, the program lives on through the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, still opening literature through sound.

Who are we? partnership.vcu.edu

The Partnership is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Virginia Department of Education - VDOE

12/12/2025

DID YOU KNOW? Ed Roberts

Ed Roberts, the first wheelchair user to attend UC Berkeley in 1962. Berkeley soon admitted more students with disabilities, who formed The Rolling Quads, a group that pushed for curb cuts and broader accessibility.

In 1977, Roberts led the 504 Sit-In, occupying a federal building for 28 days to demand enforcement of Section 504, which prohibits discrimination on any program receiving federal funding.

This activism helped pave the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Who are we? partnership.vcu.edu

The Partnership is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Virginia Department of Education - VDOE

Address

2235 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, VA
23230

Telephone

+18048283876

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