Disability Justice

March 2025

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
In March, you may want to dedicate time to increasing awareness and understanding of people living with developmental disabilities, which can affect physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Promote inclusion and acceptance and the rights of those living with disabilities. This will lead to a greater understanding of all people worldwide.

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), a state agency that operates 12 state hospitals and facilities with over 6,000 employees and oversees a $2.5 billion system that annually serves 217,000 Virginians and families with behavioral health disorders and developmental disabilities.

You can read more about national development disabilities awareness month from the Virginia DBHDS March newsletter.

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We are Unitarian Universalists living with disabilities, our families, friends, and allies coming together for a common purpose:

To enable the full engagement of people with disabilities in Unitarian Universalist communities and the broader society.

Read more about Ableism Basics from EqUUal Access.

TIME | A Lawsuit Threatens the Disability Protections I’ve Known My Whole Life | February 19, 2025

TIME |These Companies Aren’t Ditching DEI | February 26, 2025

In Virginia, the following information below encourages the social action and advocacy to improve services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. Some of these programs below also educate and empower family members to assist with independent living and person centered practices.

Applications are being accepted for the 2025-2026 PIP Training Program which can be found HERE.  The deadline to apply for PIP is Friday, March 14, 2025.

YLA applications are being accepted and can be found HERE.  The deadline to apply for YLA is Friday, March 28, 2025.

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) advocates for better services and supports. We make sure that people with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families have what they need to live their best lives.

Partners in Policymaking (PIP) is a free program. In this program, people with developmental disabilities (DD) or their family members learn advocacy and leadership skills.

The PIP program is made up of seven sessions. The sessions begin in September and end in April. Each session lasts two days. Sessions start on Friday afternoon and end on Saturday afternoon. The sessions include advocacy training, skill building, expert speakers and much more.

The Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) helps students with developmental or other disabilities gain new skills. These skills help them to grow as a person and as a leader. Students also explore career choices that interest them.

The Va-LEND program is committed to the preparation of professionals, family members and people with disabilities statewide in the field of childhood neurodevelopmental disabilities who will assume leadership roles within health care and disability service systems. The interdisciplinary program provides a 12-24 month curriculum of interactive seminars, clinical and community-based practica, planned grassroots and systems level policy activities, and for most trainees, a family mentorship experience.

PEATC is a statewide nonprofit whose passion is to empower families of children with disabilities in Virginia. Our central focus is on families who are navigating the special education and disability service system. Here are some trainings and workshops.

Here are some other legislative and advocacy resources:

Research papers and education methodologies

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