Endependence Center, Inc. - Norfolk, Virginia

📢 TOMORROW! This month's Independent Living Skills Training on Hurricane Preparedness will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, July 17 at 2:00pm until 3:30pm at ECI. See you there!

Happy Friday! We're 12 days into Disability Pride Month, a chance for us to celebrate both the anniversary of the ADA and the achievements and experiences of the disability community. We asked ECI Independent Living Coordinator Amy about her experiences with the ADA and what disability pride means to her.

Celebrating the ADA and Disability Pride Month Staff Spotlight: Amy Oullette - Endependence Center The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate this landmark legislation. We asked Amy Ouellette, ECI Independent Living Coordinator, to share her experiences with the ADA and what disability pride means to....

This month's ILS, "Hurricane Preparedness," is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 at 2:00pm to 3:30pm at ECI. Learn more about how to be prepared for inclement weather, what zone you live in, evacuation routes, and what you may need to gather before the storm.

This month's Participant-Led event will be held Tuesday, July 16 at 12noon until 2:30pm at Virginia Zoo. The Zoo is located at 3500 Granby Street in Norfolk.

*These events are not organized by ECI. Bus and paratransit tickets will not be provided by ECI.

📢🎉 The first episode of ECI's participant-driven podcast "What's Bugging You?" is here! For more information about the show, please visit our website.

Advocacy- Don’t stay QUIET!!! Using your voice to make change for your life or our community - What’s Bugging you This is a podcast where people with disabilities share knowledge, understanding, and real-life experiences about how they had advocated when they dealt with barriers and issues that made living life difficult…if you have problems or barriers and a...

The July ASL Hangout will be held this Saturday, July 13 at 6:00pm at The Shack. The Shack is located at 712 Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach.

*These events are not organized by ECI. Bus and paratransit tickets will not be provided by ECI.

We're nine days into Disability Pride Month, a chance for us to celebrate both the anniversary of the ADA and the achievements and experiences of the disability community. We asked ECI Independent Living Coordinator Ben about his experiences with the ADA.

Celebrating the ADA and Disability Pride Month Staff Spotlight: Ben White - Endependence Center The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate this landmark legislation. We asked Ben White, ECI Independent Living Coordinator, to share his experiences with the ADA: As a Black man, I had experienced raci...

📰 The new Hampton Roads Paratransit Contractor will be at ECI on Tuesday, July 9 at 2:00pm to 3:30pm for an information session. This event is open to the public.

Silent Dinner will be held this Friday, July 5 at 5:30pm to 8:00pm at Lynnhaven Mall. Lynnhaven Mall is located at 701 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach.

*These events are not organized by ECI. Bus and paratransit tickets will not be provided by ECI.

We're three days into Disability Pride Month, a chance for us to celebrate both the anniversary of the ADA and the achievements and experiences of the disability community. We asked ECI's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach Coordinator, Shernika, about her experiences with the ADA and what disability pride means to her.

Celebrating the ADA and Disability Pride Month: Staff Spotlight - Endependence Center The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate this landmark legislation. We asked Shernika Holley, ECI’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach Coordinator, to share her experiences with the ADA and what disab...

ECI will host the new Hampton Roads Transit Paratransit Contractor next Tuesday, July 9 at 2:00pm until 3:30pm for an information session. The meeting is open to the public.

The office will be closed this Thursday, July 4, in observance of the holiday. We will re-open at 9:00am on Friday, July 5.

🔔 TONIGHT! PEATC and the Commission on Youth are holding the Hampton Roads in-person Listening Session at ECI, 6:00pm to 8:00pm. PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To register, or for more information, visit our website.
*These events are not organized by ECI. Bus and paratransit tickets will not be provided by ECI.

Families & Professionals Interested in Special Education – Let Your Voice Be Heard! - Endependence Center The 2024 General Assembly mandated that the Commission on Youth, a bipartisan legislative commission of the General Assembly, conduct a study on how to improve Virginia’s special education dispute resolution processes to present to the 2025 General Assembly. The Commission is collaborating with Pa...

🔔 The office will be closed today from 11:00am - 1:00pm for a staff event. All calls will be returned by the close of business. Thank you!

🔔 We'll review the Department of Justice ADA Settlement Agreement with the City of Virginia Beach at tomorrow's Advocacy Group, at 2:00pm until 3:30pm at ECI.

Pictured: A Caucasian hand with the index finger pointed upwards with a red string tied around it in a bow. To the right, text reads "Tomorrow, Advocacy Group"

🔔 TOMORROW! "What's Bugging You," our Independent Living Skills Training on Podcasts, will meet at 3:00pm until 4:30pm at ECI to learn to edit and listen to the first episode and begin to plan the next. See you there!

Pictured: A Caucasian hand with the index finger pointed upwards with a red string tied around it in a bow. To the right, text reads "Tomorrow, Independent Living Skills Training on Podcasts"

📢 The Advocacy Group will meet Wednesday, June 26 at 2:00pm until 3:30pm at ECI to review the Department of Justice ADA Settlement Agreement with the City of Virginia Beach.

Pictured: A teal wall with four black drop lights shining on text that reads "Advocacy Group, Wednesday June 26, 2:00pm - 3:30pm." The ECI logo and website are printed at the bottom left.

☀️ Hampton Roads is in for some hot weather this weekend. This can cause health problems. This article has a list of cooling stations for each city. Be safe!

Here's a list of cooling centers across Hampton Roads, for those hot summer days The temperature highs are forecasted to be in the 90s across Hampton Roads, which can cause problems for people's health.

📌 PEATC and the Commission for Youth will hold an in-person Listening Session to hear from family members and professionals with an interest in Special Education on Thursday, June 27 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm at ECI. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Links to register and more information can be found on our website.
*These events are not organized by ECI. Bus and paratransit tickets will not be provided by ECI.

Families & Professionals Interested in Special Education – Let Your Voice Be Heard! - Endependence Center The 2024 General Assembly mandated that the Commission on Youth, a bipartisan legislative commission of the General Assembly, conduct a study on how to improve Virginia’s special education dispute resolution processes to present to the 2025 General Assembly. The Commission is collaborating with Pa...

📢 The next installment of our "What's Bugging You?" Independent Living Skills training on Podcasts will be Tuesday, June 25 at 3:00pm until 4:30pm at ECI. This month - we'll learn to edit and listen to the first episode...and start planning the next!

Pictured: A teal wall with four black drop lights shining on text that reads "Independent Living Skills Training on Podcasts, Tuesday, June 25, 3:00pm - 4:30pm." The ECI logo and website are printed at the bottom left.

🔔 TONIGHT! The Virtual Listening Session with PEATC and the Commission on Youth is at 6:00pm. For more information and to register, visit our website.

Families & Professionals Interested in Special Education – Let Your Voice Be Heard! - Endependence Center The 2024 General Assembly mandated that the Commission on Youth, a bipartisan legislative commission of the General Assembly, conduct a study on how to improve Virginia’s special education dispute resolution processes to present to the 2025 General Assembly. The Commission is collaborating with Pa...

📌 The TOUCH Group is meeting this Saturday, June 22 at 11:00am until 1:00pm at ECI. Join us for our discussion on understanding our disability and how we adjust to day to day barriers. Your feedback is important, so if you have anything to share or discuss on barriers, come and network with us.
*These events are not organized by ECI. Bus and paratransit tickets will not be provided by ECI.
Pictured: facade of ECI

In observance of Juneteenth, ECI will be closed on Wednesday, June 19. We will re-open at 9:00am on Thursday, June 20.

Pictured: Below green, red, and yellow silhouettes of five people is text that reads "In observance of Juneteenth, the office will be closed June 19"

🔔 TOMORROW! Youth Independent Living Skills training will be at 1:30pm until 3:00pm at ECI. This month - How to Meet Deadlines and How to Make a Schedule. See you there!

Pictured: A Caucasian hand with the index finger pointed upwards with a red string tied around it in a bow. To the right, text reads "Tomorrow, Youth Independent Living Skills Training"

📌 Calling all family members and professionals interested in Special Education! PEATC and the Commission on Youth want to hear from you at an upcoming listening sessions. The virtual session will be held this coming Thursday at 6:00pm until 8:00pm. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You can see the listening sessions schedules and get registration links at our website.

Families & Professionals Interested in Special Education – Let Your Voice Be Heard! - Endependence Center The 2024 General Assembly mandated that the Commission on Youth, a bipartisan legislative commission of the General Assembly, conduct a study on how to improve Virginia’s special education dispute resolution processes to present to the 2025 General Assembly. The Commission is collaborating with Pa...

📌 The Participant-Led event for June will be held this Tuesday, June 18 at 12noon until 2:30pm at Carrabba's Italian Grill in Virginia Beach. Carrabba's is located at 739 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach. This event is organized by participants.
*These events are not organized by ECI. Bus and paratransit tickets will not be provided by ECI.

Pictured: Facade of Carrabba's Italian Grill

🔔 The Virginia Relay Virtual Town Hall meetings are TOMORROW! Remember, pre-registration is required. Visit our website for the links to register.

Virginia Relay to Hold June Town Hall Meetings - Endependence Center Join Virginia Relay on Thursday, June 13 at 10:30am or 6:30pm to learn more about programs and services for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, or have difficulty speaking to connect to the community. Attendees are also invited to share feedback, ideas, and suggestions. CART servic...

🔔 TOMORROW! The Consumer Advisory Committee will meet tomorrow, June 12 at 2:00pm until 3:30pm at ECI. This month's agenda is to discuss recruiting new members, and current members' terms.

Pictured: A Caucasian hand with the index finger pointed upwards with a red string tied around it in a bow. To the right, text reads "Tomorrow, Consumer Advisory Committee"

📢 Calling all youth! This month's Youth Independent Living Skills training will be held this Saturday, June 15 at 1:30pm until 3:00pm at ECI. This month, we'll learn how to meet deadlines and make a schedule.

Pictured: A teal wall with four black drop lights shining on text that reads "Youth Independent Living Skills Training, Saturday June 15, 1:3000pm - 3:00pm." The ECI logo and website are printed at the bottom left.

📌 Just a few days away from the Virginia Relay Virtual Town Hall Meetings. More information and registration links can be found on our website.

Virginia Relay to Hold June Town Hall Meetings - Endependence Center Join Virginia Relay on Thursday, June 13 at 10:30am or 6:30pm to learn more about programs and services for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, or have difficulty speaking to connect to the community. Attendees are also invited to share feedback, ideas, and suggestions. CART servic...