Links and Resources
Page Menu:
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- U.S. Dept. of Justice ADA Information & Technical Assistance
- Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
- Virginians with Disabilities Act
- Disability History and Awareness Resources
- Education & Early Intervention Resources
- Employment & Assistive Technology Resources
- General Disability Information & Service Resources
- Grant Writing and Preparation Resources
- Housing Resources
- Transportation Resources
Disability History and Awareness Resources
During its 2009 session, the Virginia General Assembly adopted Senate Joint Resolution 321 designating October as Disability History and Awareness Month in Virginia. The resolution specifically cites four principles on which the Americans with Disabilities Act, and its predecessor the Virginians with Disabilities Act, are based: “inclusion, full participation, economic self-sufficiency, and equality of opportunity for all people with disabilities.” It further cites the prevalence of disabilities among Virginians and their impact on individual citizens, their families and caregivers, and society in general.
In passing its resolution, the General Assembly called upon the Governor “to encourage the people of the Commonwealth, including public schools, institutions of higher education, the business and corporate community, civic and advocacy organizations, the faith community, and other interested entities, through education and other appropriate activities, programs, and events to promote and highlight Disability History and Awareness Month in Virginia.” In addition, at the behest of Virginians with disabilities, the Governor traditionally issues his own proclamation each year designating March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Virginia (Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services’ announcement).
In its resolution, the General Assembly also recognized the efforts of alumni of the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), sponsored by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, whose advocacy efforts prompted the legislature’s action. Following passage of the resolution, those YLF alumni, with support from parents, teachers, and the Virginia Board, the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Special Education and Student Services, and the Technical Assistance and Training Center at Radford University, developed a bank of resources to increase students’ understanding and awareness and to support development of activities to commemorate Disability History and Awareness Month in their schools and communities.
Links to those and other resources are provided below to encourage commemorative and educational activities all across the Commonwealth which will, in the words of the General Assembly’s resolution: “increase public awareness and respect for persons with disabilities, inform the public concerning their many contributions to society…and emphasize the abilities and rights of disabled persons.”
- Virginia Center for Self-Advocacy: Disability History and Awareness Month Resources
- Disability History and Awareness Month Timeline
- Partners in Time: A Self-Study Course Exploring Disability History from Ancient Times to Today
- Disability Is Natural: People First Language
- US Department of Justice: Americans with Disabilities Act Information and Technical Assistance
- Disability.gov: Connecting the Disability Community to Information & Opportunities
- US Dept. of Labor: Office of Employment Policy Resources
- Partners in Policymaking Disability Resources
- American Association of People with Disabilities
- Disabled World: News and Information for the Disabled Community
- News, Reviews, and Articles on Disabilities
- Disability Rights and Accommodations Quiz
- Virginia's Disability Services System
- October is Disability History & Awareness Month
Education and Early Intervention Resources
State & Local Agencies & Organizations
- Commonwealth Autism Service
- Learning Disabilities Association of Virginia
- Learning Disabilities Council
- Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC)
- Parent Support Group: Voices in Action
- Parent Teacher Organization-VA
- Partnership for People with Disabilities
- Preparing Inclusive Educators (PIE) at the College of William & Mary
- Virginia Autism Council
- Virginia Autism Resource Center
- Virginia Commission on Youth
- Virginia Community College System
- Virginia Department of Education-Office of Special Education & Student Services
- Virginia State Council for Higher Education
- Voices for Virginia’s Children Legislative Advocacy Guide
- VCU Autism Center for Excellence (ACE)
Federal & National Agencies & Organizations
- Association of University Centers on Disabilities
- Association on Higher Education and Disability
- Autism Society of America
- Council for Exceptional Children
- Federal Resource Center for Special Education
- Heath Resource Center
- Maternal & Child Health Bureau
- National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
- National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
- National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
- US Department of Education
- US Department of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
[ Back to Menu ]
Employment & Assistive Technology Resources
State & Local Agencies & Organizations
- Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority
- Employment Support Institute
- ESO (Employment Services Organizations) Resource Directory
- Rehabilitation and Research Center on Workplace Supports (RRTC)
- Virginia Assistive Technology System
- Virginia Center for Innovative Technology
- Virginia Department of Business Assistance
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
- Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
- Virginia Employment Commission
- Virginia Industries for the Blind
- Virginia Business Leadership Network
Federal & National Agencies & Organizations
- GLADNET
- Goodwill Industries
- Job Accommodation Network
- National Business & Disability Council
- Training Resource Network
- US Department of Labor
- US Office of Disability Employment Policy
- US Social Security Administration-Office of Disability
- US Social Security Administration-Ticket to Work
[ Back to Menu ]
General Disability Information and Service Resources
State & Local Agencies & Organizations
- Brain Injury Association of Virginia
- Commonwealth Community Trust
- Easter Seals Virginia
- Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia
- Health Promotion for People with Disabilities
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Virginia
- Speech Language Hearing Association of Virginia
- Spinal Cord Injury Association of Virginia
- The Arc of Virginia
- Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living
- Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
- Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
- Virginia Department for the Aging
- Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
- Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Virginia Department of Health
- Virginia Department of Social Services
- Virginia Individual Development Accounts
- Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care
- Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy
- Virginia State Independent Living Council
- Virginia State Rehabilitation Council
- Virginia Tourism Authority - Travel Guide for Persons with Disabilities
- Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center
Federal & National Agencies & Organizations
- Administration on Developmental Disabilities
- Canine Companions for Independence
- Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility
- Disability Resource
- Mid-Atlantic ADA Information Center
- National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
- National Center on Accessibility
- National Council on Disability
- National Organization on Disability
- New Freedom Initiative
- US Department of Health and Human Services
- Very Special Arts
[ Back to Menu ]
Grant Writing and Preparation Resources
[ Back to Menu ]
Housing Resources
State & Local Agencies & Organizations
- Housing Opportunities Made Equal
- Virginia Accessible Housing Registry
- Virginia Center for Housing Research
- Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
- Virginia Fair Housing Office
- Virginia Housing Commission
- Virginia Housing Development Authority
Federal & National Agencies & Organizations
[ Back to Menu ]
Transportation Resources
State & Local Agencies & Organizations
- Community Transportation Association of Virginia
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
- Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- Virginia Department of Transportation
- Virginia Transit Online
Federal & National Agencies & Organizations
[ Back to Menu ]





