Dear Neighbor,
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that aims to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many contributions of our workers with disabilities. This year marks 76 years since National Disability Employment Awareness Month was first celebrated. The theme for 2022 is Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.
In line with the One Fairfax Policy and our commitment to an equitable and inclusive workforce, I want to take a moment to spotlight the many organizations in the County and their work in supporting our community members with disabilities.
Below you can read about how each of these organizations in Fairfax County help our community members with disabilities thrive. Also below are a few upcoming events that you might be interested in.
Sincerely,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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Organizations that Help People with Disabilities Thrive |
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Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board |
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) provides services for people of all ages who have mental illness, substance use disorders and/or developmental disabilities. The CSB's vision is that everyone in our community has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
In search for solutions that will help meet the needs for inclusion, accessibility and community support, the Welcoming Inclusion Network (WIN) was launched in February 2018 where members work together to advance employment and day services for individuals with developmental (and intellectual) disabilities.
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Inclusive Pathways to Success |
Inclusive Pathways to Success (IPS) is a nonprofit trade school, led by two mothers of autistic teens, created for young adults with differing abilities that will empower students, serve as their ally and build a new talent pipeline for the skilled trades in the greater DC area.
IPS wants to be a part of a deeper conversation about the many ways these students contribute to society. They aim to help solve two major challenges that our community and our nation faces – the significant barriers to employment for these young adults after graduating from high school due to the lack of vocational training suited to their needs, and the severe need for skilled tradespeople as the Baby Boomer generation retires. IPS intends to be a part of the solution by creating pathways to skilled trade jobs and offering our students independence, economic stability and personal fulfillment
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IPS students working on their first set of projects |
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The Arc of Northern Virginia |
The Arc of Northern Virginia is a local chapter of the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and serving them and their families. Their service area includes the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church; and Arlington and Fairfax Counties.
The Arc of Northern Virginia offers many programs and services to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families including Virginia Medicaid Waivers, Travel Training Program, Guardianship, and Special Needs Trust Program.
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Davis Career Center (Career and Transition Services) |
The Davis Career Center is one of two Fairfax County Public Schools centers designed to serve students with disabilities aged 18-22 years who require instruction through a modified curriculum focused on life and career skills. The Davis Career Center strives to meet the independent living and career educational needs of all students regardless of their personal challenges by
- Providing career and independent living skills training to students with disabilities
- Empowering a diverse population of students for transition to a variety of post-secondary options
- Providing students with the requisite skills for self-determination, independent living, and education for employment
- Coordinating the transition of all students with postsecondary service providers
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Delicious lunch and treats from our office team building catered by the Davis Career Center. |
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ServiceSource is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to facilitate services, resources and partnerships to support people with disabilities along with their families, caregivers and community members, in order to build more inclusive communities. Their regional offices provide a wide range of customized programs for individuals, families, employers and corporate partners.
They have launched a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, called DRIVE, which is focused on the unique backgrounds, characteristics and contributions of people within our community and supports their mission in creating a more inclusive workplace for all. DRIVE stands for Diversity, Retention, Inclusion, Value and Equity.
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SPARC Solutions is where adults with disabilities thrive. They offer day programs at four locations in Northern Virginia. Every participant takes part in ways that are adapted to their abilities.
Club participants compete in news quizzes, play word games and use their imaginations to express themselves. They cook, paint, build and create in their own way.
SPARC sets the stage for learning skills and habits that improve life for their club participants and their families.
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Pulley Career Center is an inclusive, collaborative community of educators, young adults with varying abilities, families, and community members committed to providing opportunities that prepare all students to successfully transition from school to adult life.
Pulley Career Center strives to meet the career educational needs of all students by committing to:
- Providing workplace readiness, independent living, and social skills training to students with disabilities through various vocational focused activities.
- Empowering a diverse population of students for transition to a variety of post-secondary options.
- Engaging in the FCPS equity work to build our capacity to interact with students, families, and colleagues in ways that are empowering and inclusive for all.
- Coordinating the transition of all students with post-secondary service providers.
- Facilitating successful transition through a continuum of instructional strategies, interdisciplinary team services, technology utilization, and community resources.
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Fairfax County Government |
Fairfax County is proud to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Fairfax County's Disability Rights and Resources (DRR) unit hosts an annual Employment Mentoring Day event every October. They partner with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to educate high school students about employment opportunities and requirements and celebrate the many contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate its employees on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. These efforts include a partnership between FCPA Human Resources and the Access and Inclusion Branch to equip staff with resources to better support employees with disabilities, review recruiting practices and workplace accommodations, and provide hiring managers with training on hiring people with disabilities. Throughout the month, FCPA will highlight the many contributions of current employees with disabilities.
While disability employment is celebrated in October, it is imperative that advocacy take place year-round to ensure that persons with disabilities are employed at a rate equal to persons without disabilities.
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In celebration of Fire Prevention Week (October 9 – 15, 2022), all Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Stations will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Stop by your local station to meet your firefighters and paramedics, join in the activities, learn about fire safety, see the fire trucks and ambulances.
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2022 Venture into Volunteering Fair |
You are invited to a special, 3-day, virtual event, on October 12, 13, and 14, 2022, with welcoming remarks by Chairman Jeff McKay. More than two dozen non-profit organizations and Fairfax County agencies will share how they incorporate volunteers into service, and all will be available to answer questions. The volunteer fair will be held via Zoom from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. You can join at any time during the presentations.
password: venture22!
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Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards |
Do you know an individual or organization that excels in providing equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area? Nominate them for the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board's 2022 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards!
Nominations are due BEFORE 5 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022.
Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards Winners will be:
- Honored for demonstrating a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax or Falls Church.
- Presented at an annual awards ceremony on Monday, December 12, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. (location to be determined).
Three Possible Awards Categories:
- Individual: Individual whose work has benefited the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
- Group: A business, non-profit, or organization that has worked to benefit the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
- Self-Advocate: Individual who has been a strong self-advocate or worked to better the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
- Nominees may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or organization. Awards may or may not be awarded for each category, dependent on nominations received.
Requirements:
- Demonstration of a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax or Falls Church.
- Demonstration of how people with disabilities have significantly benefitted from their efforts.
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Fairfax County Public Library: Knitting for Charity |
It's cozy season! This year, share that warm feeling with others by knitting a hat to be donated to Shelter House. Pick up a supply of yarn from the Chantilly Regional Library, City of Fairfax Regional Library, Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, Patrick Henry Library or John Marshall Library (while supplies last) or use your own yarn to knit an adult-sized hat. Make sure to drop off the hat to a participating branch by November 18 so the Library can donate them.
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello. Please feel free to email us with events you would like to be included in my newsletter.
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