Endependence Center, Inc. - Norfolk, Virginia

02/17/2026

TOMORROW! Independent Living Skills Training on Fair Housing will be tomorrow at 2:00pm until 3:30pm at ECI. See you there!

02/13/2026

The office will be closed Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents Day. We will re-open at 9:00am on Tuesday, February 17.

02/12/2026

Independent Living Skills Training on Fair Housing will be on Wednesday, February 18 at 2:00pm until 3:30pm at ECI. Staff and participants will explore fair housing discrimination in the rental application process, including how certain disability-related questions may be illegal, and what steps can be taken to challenge and prevent unfair treatment.

02/12/2026

Community Conversation: Improving Accessibility in Norfolk - Wednesday, Feb 25 from 4 pm to 6 pm, Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch Library at Broad Creek, Norfolk, VA

This meeting kicks off an important update to the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan

Norfolk is working to make city buildings, programs, and services easier to use for people with disabilities. As part of this effort, the city is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) plan and holding a meeting where people can learn more and share their thoughts. Your feedback is important—it helps us find problems that might make it hard for people with disabilities to join in, and it guides us in making things better for everyone.

If you can’t attend the meeting, you can still share your ideas. Send your questions and comments to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department using this online form:

02/11/2026

This month's participant-led event will be Tuesday, February 17 at 12noon until 2:30pm at Olive Garden at Janaf. This event is organized by participants. Olive Garden is located at 5920 E Virginia Beach Blvd. in Norfolk.

*This event is not organized by ECI. Bus and paratransit tickets will not be provided by ECI.

02/10/2026

TOMORROW! Connect & Grow will meet tomorrow at 2:00pm until 3:30pm at ECI. See you there!

02/09/2026

DMAS CLARIFICATION ON TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR ATTENDANTS
It seems that there is a new law in place for 2026 that requires VA4 and W4 (state and federal tax forms) to be completed annually, specifically for waiver attendant employees. This is not for the general public in their jobs, which also adds to the confusion. Any individual who files tax exempt are required to fill out a VA-4 form and W-4 form each year. This is not a new requirement. The deadline for this year is February 16, 2026. Only attendants who wish to continue to be tax exempt must fill out the form.
The deadline is February 14/15 ish. This deadline is approaching quickly, and I fear many will miss it. We understand your concern; however, this is a yearly state and federal requirement. If the attendant does not make the deadline, they will continue to get paid however, it may result in taxes being deducted until the paperwork is received.
It is unclear if this is just for live-in attendees or if it is for all. All our attendees received an email from CDCN last night about this, but it is unclear who MUST do it. Only attendants who wish to continue to be tax exempt must fill out the form. In most cases, lives in do meet the requirements to be tax exempt and if they would like to continue to be tax exempt, they must submit a VA-4 or W-4. Individuals who do not live with the member but meets the state and or federal tax exemption requirements have the option of filing to be tax exempt. Please refer to the VA-4 or W-4 instruction page for additional detail. CDCN sent out an EOR/attendants' newsletter on 1/31/2026 to the entire population on CD updates and this was included. However, the e-blast sent on 2/3/2026 was only to the individuals that currently have a tax-exempt filing on record. These individuals will need to submit the required forms to remain tax exempt.
When it comes to live-in attendees, there is a lot of confusion about how to fill out the tax forms. There have been tons of comments/questions online about whether to check the exemption box(es) on the forms or to let the live-in exemption form handle that. People are doing it differently, and it is clear that no one knows exactly what to do. Please refer individuals to the tax instructions located on both forms. DMAS and CDCN is unable to assist with tax advice.
No one knows if live-in attendees must complete the live-in form again or not. Only attendants who wish to continue to be tax exempt must fill out the form. Please note: the VA-4 Form and W-4 Form are different from the Difficulty of Care Form; this form is not required every year.

02/09/2026

🚏 The Paratransit Advisory Committee serves as a communication link between the Transportation District Commission (TDCHR), persons with disabilities who use HRT’s services, and service providers to the disabled community on matters related to Paratransit service within HRT’s service area. Meetings are open to the public; the next meeting is Wednesday, February 11, at 1:00pm at the TDCHR office in Norfolk (509 East 18th Street, Bldg. 4, Norfolk).

02/05/2026

Everyone deserves access to safe, fair, and inclusive housing. Join this training with Brenda Castañeda from Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) to learn all about fair housing rights and how to support equal access in your community, particularly as it relates to individuals with disabilities!

Date & Time: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 1:00 PM
Location: Online via Zoom
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to register or use the web link provided. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HUmsyx5tRxmwxKsnzn9KLA

02/05/2026

Connect & Grow will meet on Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00pm until 3:30pm at ECI. Connect & Grow is a fun, welcoming space where ECI participants come together to make connections, share laughs, learn, and grow together as part of our independent living community.

02/05/2026

❄️ ⚠️ Due to area travel conditions, ECI will open at 11:00am on Thursday, February 5th. Staff will telework in the morning.

02/04/2026

Everyone deserves access to safe, fair, and inclusive housing. A free, virtual training with Brenda Castañeda from Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) will be on Tuesday, February 10 at 1:00pm, to learn all about fair housing rights and how to support equal access in your community, particularly as it relates to individuals with disabilities! To register, visit the ECI website for the registration link. Training presented by the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) - www.vacil.org. Training provided with funding from the Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC).

Everyone deserves access to safe, fair, and inclusive housing. A free, virtual training with Brenda Castañeda from Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) will be on Tuesday, February 10 at 1:00pm, to learn all about fair housing rights and how to support equal access in your community, particularl...