Blue Ridge Independent Living Center

05/12/2026

*** FCC Announces May 27 Webinar to Recognize Older Americans Month ***
In recognition of Older Americans month, the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) will host a webinar on Wednesday, May 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET highlighting Champion Your Health which underscores prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging.

During the webinar, attendees will be provided with information about:
• Telehealth, Long Con and Romance Scams and Fraud
• 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline
• Access to Video Calls

This event will be streamed for the public on www.fcc.gov/live. Please register for this webinar using the link
e3646397-c94e-4c3c-9bb4-cd2118601210@72970aed-3669-4ca8-b960-dd016bc72973" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e3646397-c94e-4c3c-9bb4-cd2118601210@72970aed-3669-4ca8-b960-dd016bc72973

This link is also featured on the Events page.

Registration is optional. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The presentation slide deck will be shared after the webinar.

Sign language interpreters and captioning will be provided. Additional reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Please include a description of the accommodation you will need and your contact information in case we need more details. Send an e-mail to FCC504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice). Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).

Email Outreach@fcc.gov with questions about the webinar or to schedule a meeting to discuss how to collaborate with the FCC on providing information to your community.

We look forward to your participation at the webinar on May 27, 2026!

05/05/2026

******** HCBS Access Act Reintroduced *********
Justice in Aging proudly supports the HCBS Access Act, which was reintroduced yesterday by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). This transformative legislation would flip the script on access to the support older adults with limited income and resources need to age in their homes and communities.

Today, far too many older adults cannot afford care, families are strained, and more people are institutionalized than need to be. The HCBS Access Act would address many gaps and inequities in the current aging and disability care system by making home and community-based services (HCBS) a comprehensive and universally covered Medicaid benefit.

The HCBS Access Act, along with the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act, would also invest in the direct care workforce to bring more people into the caregiving profession and ensure that they are well-trained and fairly compensated. This legislation would make enormous strides towards ensuring older adults can age in dignity and we are committed to working with Congress to enact it.

Learn more about the HCBS Access Act in Justice in Aging’s fact sheet.
https://justiceinaging.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=727c211cf7b5afb21ea9dada3&id=16f1fce083&e=a195367e25

04/30/2026

DBHDS/IFSP: Please Share 🌟Coordinated Regional Council Meeting : May 21

04/29/2026

*** 📊 New Career Opportunities at the U.S. Census Bureau ***
We're hiring for select, high-priority positions at both our headquarters and offices around the country.
We are looking for:
🔢 Office automation assistants
🧑‍💻 Quality assurance supervisors
💻 Computer scientists
➡️ And more

Explore openings and apply today.
Apply Today
https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.usajobs.gov%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2F%3Fk=U.S.%2520Census%2520Bureau%26p=1/3/0100019dd594de59-6e00d3dc-bcff-4b1d-9cf7-30cc40351d5e-000000/lNupt4kLbQXELnGAvABBBwwnHK3lDxnNB4Y957xLOMk=452

💼 You Are the Future. Join Our Team!

Pursue a career that counts with the Census Bureau. Apply for a role that allows you to influence the lives of millions of Americans by collecting or analyzing impactful data. As a valued member of the Census Bureau team, you will be responsible for contributing to the fabric of our nation—where everyone counts!

Apply
https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.usajobs.gov%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2F%3Fk=U.S.%2520Census%2520Bureau%26p=1/3/0100019dd594de59-6e00d3dc-bcff-4b1d-9cf7-30cc40351d5e-000000/lNupt4kLbQXELnGAvABBBwwnHK3lDxnNB4Y957xLOMk=452

📢 Spread the Word About Census Bureau Jobs 📧
Share this on social media or forward it to a friend.
Share This
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About the Census Bureau
We serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. As the world’s premier statistical agency, we are dedicated to making our nation a better place. Policy-makers, businesses, and the public use our data to make informed decisions.

04/29/2026

**** A Story of Determination—and What to Know Before Upfitting a Vehicle ****
In March 2003, Edward Mitchell was struck by a hit-and-run driver while biking. The accident left him with a C5-C6 incomplete spinal cord injury. He was still in high school.

What happened next is a story about determination and independence—and it offers powerful insight for anyone considering an accessible vehicle.

On our website, Edward shares his experience navigating the vehicle purchase and upfitting process, including the critical factors that shaped his decisions. His story highlights not just the emotional journey, but the practical considerations that can make or break long-term mobility and independence.

Click the video link below to watch Edward’s story
https://realeconomicimpact.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ea6584491b7ab9daf6b074fe6&id=a1ece44c15&e=ee97e918b4

As you watch, consider:
• How your current and future mobility needs may evolve
• The importance of working with qualified mobility dealers and specialists
• Budgeting for both upfront costs and long-term maintenance
• Funding options and financial planning strategies
We’ve also included additional resource documents on the page to help guide your decision-making—from understanding the purchase process to evaluating the right modifications for your situation.
Edward’s story is a reminder: the right information can turn a complex process into a path toward independence.
Take a few minutes to watch—and take the next step with confidence.

You've got this! And we're here to help.

-National Disability Institute

P.S. If you want to learn more about accessible vehicles and assistive technology, click this link to explore more resources.
https://realeconomicimpact.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ea6584491b7ab9daf6b074fe6&id=5feefeb891&e=ee97e918b4

04/28/2026

**** NCD Council Meeting May 7, 2026 ****
The National Council on Disability will hold a quarterly Council meeting on Thursday, May 7, 12:30 – 3 p.m. EDT streamed live via Zoom for Government. The meeting is free and open to the public.

This virtual quarterly meeting includes the Council’s presentations on research proposals for potential new projects the Council will undertake in FY27, followed by a vote to determine which will become NCD’s new policy priorities.

The meeting will also include report outs from the Acting Chairman, followed by the Councilmembers regarding engagements with the community since the last meeting; the Executive Committee; staff updates on policy, legislation, and media; and the current draft of the 2026 Progress Report.

CART and ASL will be provided.

Register for the Meeting
https://fl5lu5ebb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001cy0rrHACwKA3teykufHYSigwwgERmutDLTHPKonIaNvC8gSSCecWGzdjI7rqYHlHg_UAcxIFVTMH_r7v6XBsrAOWQob_delPvGBN5I6LsTRBXpxx7Pd7KjzdziCxHMQHIaEChGcQOIdEI5fa7G7ttbbSCKken2s705XI3y9f5GLmxt3GuM13pCTPgC7TEXNjEhJ4rd8oQkr-JUqSVU1g12mBQI4hKpR3e7ICM7ZJJwZwRjS4MTQBZ4qPPztSjudN&c=KFm4x7DevYNrYTAayPuXIu3d2u0xVa9MRdcPmWDBQeBVzJvm4rUlPQ==&ch=GSLWqddSHZSbLvPkPpuOq3rkvcpoTRlFmmOXNAsDZKfdko0ZN1vG8A==

04/28/2026

*** BUZZ Watch Party Stars On Our Own of the Roanoke Valley! ***
On Our Own of Roanoke Valley’s new documentary

Created by Michael Hemphill of Buzz4good, funded by the James A. Meador Foundation, will be aired at the Grandin Theater on
April 28th at 6:00 pm.

Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Free Admission!
Please join us!

Also airing on PBS April 29th at 7 pm!

Preview video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2317117152150848

04/21/2026

******* Finding Open Caption Firms in Virginia *******
Open Caption Finder is a great resource to help you find open caption screenings near you! Open Caption Finder is a free app, available on Apple Store and Google Play that helps moviegoers find Open Caption (OC) showtimes nearby or anywhere in the US.

Find open caption movie showtimes near you. Created by a deaf person, free for everybody.

04/16/2026

* New Resource – Equity in Aging: Public Benefits and the Realities of Black Older Adults *
Black older adults face long-standing structural barriers and a history of discriminatory policies that drive persistent inequities in housing, health care, and economic supports.
For many, key safety net programs – now under threat – are essential lifelines yet still, too often, fail to serve Black older adults. Programs highlighted in this brief include Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, rental assistance, and Older Americans Act services.

Our new issue brief, Equity in Aging: Public Benefits and the Realities of Black Older Adults, examines how these programs support Black older adults and the challenges they face in accessing them. As policymakers look to restrict access and cut programs and services, defending the programs Black older adults use is critical to their ability to age with dignity.

Read our new brief.
https://justiceinaging.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=727c211cf7b5afb21ea9dada3&id=262a78e5d8&e=a195367e25

04/16/2026

****** Virginia’s 2026 General Assembly Housing Updates ******
Virginia’s 2026 General Assembly Housing Updates
Guest writers: Isabel McLain and Charles Miller, Virginia Housing Alliance
Virginia’s legislative session closed in March with a notable collection of housing wins. The General Assembly passed more than a dozen housing-related bills targeting everything from zoning reform to tenant protections. Governor Spanberger signed several of the session’s most-watched bills this week — here’s what they mean.

She signed SB531, requiring all localities to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential zones statewide. A modest but meaningful nudge toward more housing in more places. That one kicks in July 2027.
HB4 gives localities a Right of First Refusal on subsidized rental properties at risk of losing affordability — a tool to keep affordable homes affordable, not just build new ones.

HB15/SB48 extends the mandatory waiting period before a landlord can terminate a lease for nonpayment from 5 to 14 days, giving tenants more time to catch up before facing eviction.
SB373 — allowing evidence of uninhabitable living conditions as a defense in eviction cases — was signed, with HB281 amended to match by removing its delayed enactment. And HB837/SB273, which improves access to the Eviction Diversion Program by expanding eligibility and reducing burdensome requirements, was signed as well.

The Faith in Housing Act (SB388/HB1279) is still in play. The Governor returned it with amendments rather than a veto, so it heads back to the legislature at the April 22 reconvened session. If the amendments are accepted, by-right development of affordable housing on land owned by religious organizations and eligible nonprofits becomes law — effective January 1, 2027.

More Tools for Local Governments
The session quietly expanded what localities can do. They can now fast-track rezoning for qualifying affordable housing developments (HB594), establish stronger inclusionary zoning programs (HB867/SB74), and offer property tax exemptions for nonprofit-controlled affordable housing (HB854). More levers — whether localities pull them is another question.

The Budget Is Still Up in the Air
The General Assembly adjourned without a finalized FY27-28 budget. Legislators reconvene April 23 to send a final proposal to the Governor. The initial House and Senate bills together included roughly $70.4 million in housing-related investments for FY27 — covering the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, rapid rehousing services, and more. Watch this space.
What Didn’t Make It

Only one of VHA’s top priorities didn’t cross the finish line. The Right to Rest bill (HB1394), which would have protected unhoused Virginians from penalties for life-sustaining activities in public spaces, was continued to 2027 with a letter to the Housing Commission.

Real progress this session. But for a lot of Virginians, the hardest challenges aren’t resolved yet.

Want the full picture? Visit VHA’s legislative tracker for a comprehensive look at all housing-related bills introduced this session.

The post Virginia’s 2026 General Assembly Housing Updates appeared first on HousingForward Virginia.

04/16/2026

*** Milestone Ages in Special Needs Planning: Key Considerations at Ages 18 and 21 ***
Turning 18 and 21 bring significant legal, financial, educational, and benefits-related changes. This issue of The Voice® highlights core issues when a child 18 and then 21.

Read This Issue of The Voice®
https://specialneedsalliance.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d6910c896398ee6bf08993564&id=f63ad0df5a&e=598129e301

This issue of The Voice® was written by SNA Fiduciary Council Member Judith Bomster of Cambridge Trust Wealth Management in Manchester, NH, and SNA Sponsored Member Alicia Cahill of Morneau Law in Nashua, NH.

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