Partnership for People with Disabilities

05/27/2026

😮 WAIT, WHAT?! Did you know Virginia Medicaid could cover 100% of your employer health insurance premium? Yes, even the part taken right out of your paycheck!💰

05/26/2026

🌊 Over 150 solar-powered, remote-operated track systems have been installed on public beaches, allowing wheelchair users to independently glide right into the ocean. Complete with accessible changing rooms and wooden walkways, this national initiative is transforming inclusive coastal tourism. 🎉

05/18/2026

Want to be a better ally to medically complex families? Please repost this to help us spread this essential guide! 🌍We are dropping new Care Cards all week to bridge the gap between caregivers and the people who love them 😍

😍Care Card ~ Supporting Families Dealing with Complex Medical Needs

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

CREATE A CAREGIVER CARE PACKAGE: Drop off a bag with earplugs, sleep masks, face wipes, and other comfort items for long hospital stays.

PROVIDE FUEL: Give the gift of easy meals or gift cards for gas and food. Travel costs add up quickly.

MANAGE THE HOUSEHOLD:
Offer specific help with siblings, pets, lawn care, cleaning, etc.

CHECK IN: Keep calling or texting regularly, even if I don't respond. It helps me feel less alone.

BE SPECIFIC WITH HELP: Example: "I'm at the store, what can I drop off?" or "l have 2 hours on Tuesday to help with laundry."

Please Don't ✋

SAY "EVERYTHING WILL BE OK":
It might not be. This diminishes how heavy and complex my family's situation can be.

SAY "I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT": We do it because we have to; and our entire life is impacted. Saying this reminds us of how much we've adapted to manage these complexities.

COMPARE TO TYPICAL ILLNESS:
Please don't compare a complex medical journey to routine appointments or procedures. Everything we deal with is far more involved than the "typical" experience.

I Can ...

✅Do a specific errand
✅Provide a meal
✅Support a sibling
✅Drop off a care package

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

05/15/2026

Supporting an aging parent is overwhelming. Let this Care Card tell your friends and family exactly how to help. 🫶 Share this to take the guesswork out of support!

😍Care Card ~ Supporting Caregivers of Aging Parents

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL NEXT WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

BE SPECIFIC WITH HELP: EXAMPLE: "I'm at the store, what can I drop off?" or "l have 2 hours on Tuesday to help with laundry."

KEEP INVITING ME: Please keep asking me to join, even if I usually say no. It reminds me I'm still part of the community.

HELP WITH "INVISIBLE" CHORES:
Take something off my plate like mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or picking up a prescription.

OFFER "LOW-ENERGY" HANGOUTS: I might not be able to go out, but I'd love for you to drop by with coffee and chat for a while.

ASK ABOUT "THEM": Ask about my parent's life. It's nice to remember who they are and take the focus off of their current needs.

Please Don't ✋

SAY "LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO:” It puts the pressure on me to think of a task and ask for help. Just offer a specific action.

COMPARE TYPICAL AGING: If my parent is living with dementia or a major illness, please don't compare it to "normal" forgetfulness.

PRESSURE ME TO "TAKE A BREAK": I know I need rest, but I might feel guilty leaving. Just offer to be there so I can rest nearby.

I Can ...

✅Do a specific errand
✅Provide a meal
✅Sit with my parent
✅Hang for a short time

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

05/14/2026

Need help explaining complex behaviors to friends or family? Let us do the talking. 🫶 Save, share, and stay tuned for new Care Cards all week!

😍Care Card ~ Navigating Complex Behaviors

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

RESPECT THE RED ZONE: When a child is in a "meltdown," their logical brain is offline. Focus on safety and calm first.

IDENTIFY THE TRIGGER: Understanding the "why" of behavior can help prevent it. Look for patterns with transitions, noise, tasks, etc.

CO-REGULATE FIRST: Your calm is their greatest resource. A low, steady voice and neutral expression helps in regulation.

OFFER A "RESET" SPACE: Designate a safe space to retreat to to help regulate. Frame this as a brain or sensory break.

CELEBRATE THE RECOVERY:
Welcome them back calmly. Acknowledging their effort builds confidence.

Please Don't ✋

GET INTO A POWER STRUGGLE:
State the expectation calmly once, then give them physical and emotional space to comply.

CORRECT IN FRONT OF PEERS:
Publicly calling out behaviors increases anxiety and defensiveness. Avoid using shame, handle corrections gently and privately to preserve dignity.

ASSUME IT'S MANIPULATION:
Most complex behaviors are a stress response, not a choice. Remember the person isn't giving you a hard time, they are having a hard time.

I Can ...

✅Share "early warning" signs
✅Provide regulation tools
✅Share successful strategies ✅Collaborate on a safety plan

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

05/13/2026

📣Calling all Young Adults with both vision and hearing loss ages 14-22!

🌟 The Virginia DeafBlind Young Adults Retreat is happening July 10th-12th in Charlottesville, VA.

🎓 Join us as we plan for life after high school through fun and engaging activities!

Register: https://tinyurl.com/2026VADeafblindRetreat

Have questions or looking for more information? Send us an email at vadeafblind@vcu.edu.

05/13/2026

📣 Parents of adults with disabilities: Save this. Share this. Let us do the hard talking for you!

😍Care Card ~ Parents of Adults with Disabilities

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

BE SPECIFIC WITH HELP: Instead of asking what can I do, try, "I'm at the store, what can I get you?" or "I can come over for two hours."

KEEP INVITING ME: Please keep asking me to join, even if I usually say no. It reminds me I'm still part of the community.

REMEMBER MY CHILD IS AN ADULT: Speak directly to my son/daughter and engage with them based on their age, not their disability.

OFFER "LOW-ENERGY" HANGOUTS: I might not be able to go out, but I'd love for you to drop by with coffee and chat for a while.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE CIRCUMSTANCES: It's OK to talk about how different your lives are. Validation and honest conversations are incredibly meaningful.

Please Don't ✋

TELL ME THAT YOU UNDERSTAND: Without lived experience, it's impossible to fully understand how complicated my life is.

ASK ABOUT "THE FUTURE" BLUNTLY: Planning for when I am no longer here is a heavy emotional load. Please don't ask "what will happen to them?" unless I bring it up first.

COMPARE TO TYPICAL ADULTHOOD: Please don't compare my experience to common milestones or your empty nesting phase. Our timeline is different.

I Can ...

✅Do a specific errand
✅Provide a meal
✅Sit with my adult child
✅Hang for a short time

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

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

Tired of explaining hidden disabilities? 😮‍💨 Let this Care Card do the talking for you. It maps out the exact "Please Do" and "Please Don't" boundaries families actually need. Forward it and let us do the talking for you 🤩

😍Care Card ~ Supporting Those with Hidden Disabilities

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

UNDERSTAND IT'S REAL: Many people mask" all day to fit in and then collapse once they reach their safe space at home.

UTILIZE SENSORY BREAKS:
Quiet moments, sensory breaks, walking outside, carrying something heavy - this all helps with regulation.

WATCH FOR "SOCIAL FATIGUE":
Hidden disabilities can make social cues exhausting.
Keeping that in mind can prevent difficult interactions.

USE PREDICTABLE ROUTINES:
Give advance warning for transitions or changes. Visual schedules help reduce the high anxiety of the "unknown."

FOCUS ON THE "WHY": This downplays the significant mental energy needed to stay regulated or "mask" each day.

Please Don't ✋

SAY "THEY SEEM FINE TO ME":
This can unintentionally downplay the significant mental energy my child uses to "mask" or stay regulated.

CORRECT IN FRONT OF OTHERS:
Publicly calling out behaviors increases anxiety and defensiveness. Avoid using shame, handle corrections gently and privately to preserve dignity.

TAKE AWAY RECESS: Don't penalize behavior by removing the activities that prevent it.

I Can ...

✅Provide sensory tools
✅Share "at home" triggers ✅Collaborate on a plan
✅Support your classroom

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

05/11/2026

“Let me know what I can do” is a nice thought, but it’s actually more work for a parent in the thick of it. 🛑 Here is your cheat sheet for specific, low -pressure ways to show up for families of kids with disabilities.

😍CARE CARD ~ Supporting Families of Kids with Disabilities

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

BE SPECIFIC WITH HELP: EXAMPLE: "I'm at the store, what can I drop off?" or "l have 2 hours on Tuesday to help with laundry."

KEEP INVITING ME: Please keep asking me to join, even if I usually say no. It reminds me I'm still part of the community.

TEACH INCLUSION: Talk openly about disability. It's OK if children ask questions. It's better to say hi than whisper and look away.

OFFER "LOW-ENERGY" HANGOUTS: I might not be able to go out, but I'd love for you to drop by with coffee and chat for a while.

CHECK IN OFTEN: Keep calling or texting regularly, even if I don't respond. It helps me feel less alone.

Please Don't ✋

SAY "LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO:” It puts the pressure on me to think of a task and ask for help. Just offer a specific action.

OFFER UNSOLICITED ADVICE: Be careful about suggesting new therapies, treatments, or
"cures." This can come off as offensive or even ableist.

STARE OR JUDGE: If my child is having a hard time, please don't stare. A kind look or an offer to help is much better.

I Can ...

✅Do a specific errand
✅Provide a meal
✅Provide childcare
✅Hang for a short time

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: Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities VCU School of Education

05/06/2026

🎉 Next sensory-friendly morning is Sunday, November 8, 9:30-12:30pm 🎉