Center for Disability Leadership - CDL

02/17/2026

Open to the public!!!

Exciting News! We're thrilled to announce our keynote speaker for the 2025 Dyslexia Symposium: Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Ed.D.

As the founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute, an accomplished author, national speaker, passionate advocate, and expert witness for students and their families, Dr. Sandman-Hurley brings unparalleled expertise to empower those who support students with dyslexia.

As the founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute, an accomplished author, national speaker, passionate advocate, and expert witness for students and their families, Dr. Sandman-Hurley brings unparalleled expertise to empower those who support students with dyslexia.

Join us on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at VCU's Monroe Park Campus (301 West Main, Richmond, VA 23284). Hosted by VCU School of Education and T/TAC, this event includes lunch, breakout sessions, vendor tables, networking, and 4 hours of professional development—all funded by the Ruth Harris Professorship. This year’s event is in-person, and video recordings of some of the presentations will be available at no charge after the event.

Open to students, educators, advocates, families, and the public. Dive into research, resources, and strategies for dyslexia and language disorders!

Questions? Contact us at ruthharris@vcu.edu. Registration opens in August: bit.ly/DyslexiaVCU

Don't miss this unique opportunity!

VCU Department of Counseling & Special Education
VCU T/TAC
Partnership for People with Disabilities
Center for Family Involvement
The New Community School (TNCS)
Decoding Dyslexia VA-New River Valley
Decoding Dyslexia Virginia
Fairfax County Special Education PTA - SEPTA
Henrico Education Foundation
PWC Special Education PTA - SEPTA
Dyslexia Training Institute
IDEAS - Impacting Dyslexia Education Awareness and Support
Richmond Public Schools
Support Richmond Public Schools
Virginia Department of Education - VDOE
Virginia School Counselor Association
Council for Exceptional Children
Metro Richmond Parent support for Public Schools
Chesterfield County Public Schools
Center for Family Involvement
VCU Department of Educational Leadership


-T/TAC

02/17/2026

Check it out!

Register by March 1st! We want to hear from YOU!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iKtoOm5UmymbEL4J1WuVCyV6824DGyKnlVWF4X21jUE/edit
Join Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and The Arc of Virginia for a virtual Lived Experiences Listening Session to share your experiences navigating Virginia’s disability services system. This session is designed to gather input on what is working well, what is challenging, and what information or supports may be missing, and to inform DBHDS’s resource development and the Shared Values Project. We are holding the session for people with developmental disabilities/self-advocates and family members with lived experience. Others are welcome to listen and learn, but our priority is hearing directly from people with lived experience.
We will have 4 breakout rooms for focused conversation:
-New to the DD services system
-On the DD Waivers Waiting List
-Recently received a DD Waiver slot
-DBHDS Shared Values Project

When: March 3rd from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
Where: Virtually on Zoom

02/16/2026

A one-of-a-kind museum chronicling disability history is reopening after a five-year hiatus in a new, bigger space that's hundreds of miles away from its previous home.

02/16/2026

So COOL 😎

02/13/2026

📣 We are excited to share that we looking for people with developmental disabilities (DD) and/or self-advocates to join three of our IFSP Regional Councils!

You'll become part of a dedicated group of volunteers who help the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) make things better for people with DD and their families.

WHAT YOU'LL DO AS AN IFSP COUNCIL MEMBER:
• Grow leadership skills;
• Build community connections;
• Learn about Virginia's developmental disability service system;
• Help DBHDS make information easier to understand and share;
• Meet other people who share your passion for helping others with developmental disabilities!.. and more!

WHO CAN APPLY TO JOIN A COUNCIL?
• People with DD and/or self-advocates over the age of 18;
• People with DD and/or self-advocates who live in the IFSP Western Region, the IFSP Northern Region, and the IFSP Central Region (check out our map: https://ifsp.tny.cc/regional-map); and
• People who are on the DD Waivers Waitlist, receiving DD Waiver services, or living independently

HOW DO I JOIN?
• Apply online by Monday, March 23rd: surveymonkey.com/r/IFSP-Regional-2026

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please email us: IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov

Stay tuned to this page, where we'll share a little more about the work of our Councils and some of the fantastic people who serve on them!

02/13/2026

Midlothian Disability Resource Fair! 🤩

🗓️VA DISABILITY EVENT - Mark your calendars!

Evergreen Elementary - Midlothia - DISABILITIES RESOURCE FAIR
MARCH 25, 2026 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Join us for an inclusive and informative event connecting families, educators, and community members with local organizations and resources that support individuals with disabilities.

Evergreen Elementary
1701 E. Evergreen Pkwy
Midlothian, VA 23114

FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS:

• Connect with community resources to help you support your loved one with disabilities.
FOR STUDENTS:
• Enjoy family-friendly accessible activities.
• Opportunities to connect with specialists and advocates.
• Please note that childcare is not provided.
Children must be supervised by a caregiver at all times.

SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN MEET AT THIS EVENT:

• PEATC
• CCPS SPED Parent & Family Liaison
• CCPS Family Engagement
• Chesterfield Dept of Social Services
• Chesterfield Community Services Board
• Chesterfield Parks and Recreation
• The Arc of Virginia
• REACH - RBHA
• Chesterfield Mental Health
• Virginia Down Syndrome Association

Registration is not required but encouraged.

For more information, contact
Lauren Robinson and Neely Cooke at evergreenptaspedagmail.com

Register at:
https://forms.gle/JYJeZSoypxYyx8dS7
or scan the QR Code.

Evergreen Elementary Parent Teacher Association

02/11/2026

Teen Helpline 👇

02/10/2026

This is AWESOME 🤩

02/09/2026

So cool 😎

02/09/2026

Important👇

🧐90% of a child’s brain is developed by age 5!

When parents and caregivers engage with young children in everyday interactions, then those children learn essential skills for success in school and in life

Many people are unaware that 90% of a child’s brain is developed by age 5. The campaign was created to highlight the importance of early brain development and emphasize the pivotal role parents and caregivers play in building the foundation for learning before a child enters school.

Driven by the action statement, “When… Then…”, the campaign highlights that when parents/caregivers engage with young children in everyday interactions, then those children learn essential skills for success in school and in life.

LINK: 90by5.org

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

02/09/2026

Please spread the word so this same model can happen in more and more towns!