The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) is pleased to announce that it recently awarded a $300,000 grant to the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) to develop culturally and linguistically competent information for Latino Virginians with disabilities and their families so that they can gain equal access to disability rights, services, and opportunities. ECNV will work with local Centers for Independent Living to recruit and train bilingual people with disabilities to deliver culturally appropriate information about disability services and resources for Spanish-speaking Virginians with disabilities and their families. The grantee will also provide training and technical assistance to service providers so they can connect with Latinos with disabilities in need.
“The Board is delighted to collaborate with ECNV on this project designed to provide disability information to Virginians with disabilities and their families with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). This project focuses on providing culturally and linguistically competent information about disability services and resources to Latino Virginians with disabilities and their families. We have the highest confidence in ECNV and its collaborators to provide these important resources to individuals with LEP,” said Teri Morgan, the Board’s Executive Director.
The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia’s Executive Director Dominique Dunford-Lack said, “We’re thrilled to again partner with the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. The Bienvenidos Todos (Everyone is Welcome): Disability Inclusion grant will promote equal access to disability rights, services, and opportunities for Latino Virginians with disabilities and their families.” Ms. Dunford-Lack noted that this grant will enable ECNV to strengthen partnerships with Latino communities in Northern Virginia, Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads, Roanoke, Harrisonburg, and Richmond in collaboration with local Centers for Independent Living and The Arc of Virginia.
Rosalia Fajardo, ECNV’s Director of Disability Justice Partnerships, looks forward to the prospect of mentoring ten bilingual people with disabilities or family members as they build community networks and bridge access to services, programs, and opportunities for people with disabilities.
The VBPD serves as the Developmental Disabilities Council for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
CONTACT:
Jason Withers
Grants, Contracts and Program Information Manager
Phone: (804) 786-9375
Email address: jason.withers@vbpd.virginia.gov