EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS

In 2020, we learned how to use Zoom and produced two free educational webinars on September 29 and October 8, 2020.

The Arc of Virginia loaned us the gracious and knowledgeable Lucy Cantrell, their Director of Information and Referral, who created and presented: “Medicaid Waivers: Introduction to DD and CCC Plus Waivers,” and “What to Do While You Wait for A Medicaid Waiver.”

The videos will be available here and on YouTube.

Download the pdf flyers for the Medicaid Waiver Introduction and What to Do While You Wait events.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES

• COVID-19 Information Kit from the Autism Society of America – Access Toolkit
• Feeling Isolated During COVID-19? Sign up here for Talk Text Connect
• COVID-19 Resources from The Arc of Virginia – Visit the Website
• Helping Individuals with Disabilities Wear Face Masks – Download
• How to Wash A Cloth Face Mask – Download
• Mask Accommodation Ideas for People with Disabilities – Download
• COVID-19 Disability Form – Download
• Tips for Working with Support Staff During COVID-19 – Download

CANDIDATE FORUMS

During every VA Senate and VA House of Delegates election cycle, the Arc of the New River Valley holds a legislative forum.

Candidates running for elected office hear from their constituents with disabilities, their families and advocates on issues that affect quality of life and opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in school and community life.

Delegate Nick Rush, Delegate Chris Hurst, Senator John Edwards, Flo Ketner, Rhonda Seltz, Darlene Lewis, and Sen. David Suetterlein joined us for our most recent Legislative Forum Tuesday, October 8, 2019, 7-9 pm, Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg, VA 24073. Download flyer.

EFFORT DAY

EFFORT Day, which stands for Enabling Friends For Our First Response Teams, is an event sponsored by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office in conjunction with County Fire and Rescue departments and is held annually during the summer.  This field day style event is held at the Christiansburg High School track and its purpose is to educate, create awareness, and facilitate relationships between the disability community and our first responders. From its conception, the Arc of the NRV has supported this event and has had a resource table there each year.

The 2018 event was held on July 14 at the Christiansburg Recreation Department.

The 2019 event was held on April 11, 2019 in the Christiansburg High School Cafeteria. Download the flyer.

MCPS TRANSITION FAIR

In cooperation with the Montgomery County Public Schools

Each spring the Special Education Department of Montgomery County Public Schools sponsors a Transition Fair. Designed to help students with disabilities who are transitioning out of high school and going on either to college or to life and work in the community. Various agencies and support organizations participate to share information about the services they provide, including educational, health and home/community services.

FILM PRESENTATIONS

In the Fall of 2017, The Arc staffed a table at a screening of the film Deej at the Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg, Virginia. The film tells the story of DJ Savares, a boy with autism, abandoned at birth who finds a loving family and communication through a text-to-voice synthesizer. Visit the official movie site. Download the press kit.

In March 2019, The Arc sponsored a screening of the film Intelligent Lives at the Floyd County High School. The film stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. Visit the official movie site.