Information Access: Share Your Story
We need your support!
Changing an entire system is hard. Improving info access will take years.
Share Your Story
Tell us about your experience with getting disability info in Virginia. Let us know what info access means to you. We might share it!
Share on Socials
We improve our chances of success if you help. Tell everyone that info access needs to be a priority. Do not let people forget.
Share our Facebook posts. Post your own story using #infoaccess.
Info Access Stories
“Information access is crucial for me as I navigate my daughter Kristen’s autism diagnosis and care. It encompasses the ability to find, understand, and utilize information effectively.
A positive experience I had with information access was discovering the Autism Society of Central Virginia early in Kristen’s diagnosis. I learned about finding doctors, accessing early childhood education resources, understanding Kristen’s rights, and deciphering the numerous acronyms associated with autism. The information, much of it shared parent to parent, was invaluable in guiding me through the early stages of Kristen’s diagnosis. Unfortunately, my experiences with information access haven’t all been positive. Accessible information provided in plain language, free of acronyms, and culturally sensitive materials would reduce stress and confusion. Overall, enhanced information access would empower me to provide the best possible care for Kristen and navigate her autism diagnosis with greater ease and confidence.”
— Allison Coles Johnson, Parent of a Person with a Disability, Central Virginia
What does information access mean to you?
This movement is for YOU. The changes we want to make are for you. Hear stories of people with disabilities and their families. Tell us your story.
Ask organizations to PLEDGE to be Information Access Champions!
Who is Behind This?
We are the Info Access Steering Committee.
The 2022 info access report brought us together. We lead Virginia toward one vision: Be Info Access Champions.
Self-Advocates
Matthew Shapiro
6 Wheels Consulting, LLC
Founder / CEO of 6 Wheels Consulting
Person with a Disability
Shay Ruff, BSW
Arc of Virginia
Credentialed Peer Mentor
Person with a Disability
Community Staff
Lucy Cantrell
Arc of Virginia
Director of Information and Resources
Tonya Milling
Arc of Virginia
Executive Director
Maureen Hollowell
Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL)
Director of Advocacy and Services at the Endependence Center
Family Members
Allison Coles-Johnson
Retired Nurse Manager
Parent of a Person with a Disability
Parthenia Dinora
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Executive Director of VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities
Parent of a Person with a Disability
State Agency Staff
Teri Morgan
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)
Executive Director
Linh Thi Nguyen
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)
Policy Analyst
Sara Link
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
Director of No Wrong Door Virginia
Parent of a Person with a Disability
Eric Williams
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)
Director of Office of Provider Network Supports
What we want.
We want people with disabilities and families to easily find, understand and use info when and how they need it.
How we will make this happen.
We partner with people with disabilities, families, advocates, organizations, agencies and their leadership to make info access better. We unify efforts. We ask the questions that drive positive change.