ADVOCACY SERVICES
Advocacy means speaking up for yourself and making sure your rights are respected. Children and adults with disabilities have many rights that come from laws, regulations or policies. For example, children with disabilities have the right to a free public education that is appropriate to their needs. Adults with disabilities have rights in the areas of housing, employment, transportation, and government services. It is important for parents to learn about their rights so they can advocate for themselves and their children. Sometimes it helps to get advice from a professional who has experience with different laws and policies. Here is a list of agencies and individuals that can teach you about the rights of people with disabilities. Some services are provided at no charge while other services are provided for a fee. If cost is an issue, be sure to ask whether the fees can be waived or adjusted according to your income.
Advocacy Organizations
Legal Services
Educational Consultants
The Arc of Northern Virginia helps families learn about their rights, develop advocacy plans, and prepare for meetings with different agencies in the service system.
(703) 532-3214
Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities identifies helpful resources, answers questions about services and benefits, explains rights and responsibilities, provides problem-solving strategies, and offers voter registration materials. DRVD will also investigate complaints, negotiate solutions to disagreements, and take legal action on behalf of individuals who have problems the agency identifies as high priority.
1-800-552-3962
Endependence Center of Northern Virginia has peer counselors who can help people with disabilities whose rights are violated by explaining their rights, developing advocacy plans, and supporting the person at meetings.
(703) 525-3268
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) offers information and publications for families with children with disabilities of all ages.
1-800-695-0285
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) assists parents and professionals with understanding the legal rights of children with disabilities and how to ensure children have opportunities for full participation in school and community life. PEATC provides training, program development, individual assistance, and publications.
(703) 923-0010
Pathfinders trains parents, preschool staff, directors of early childhood programs, teachers, family day care providers and nannies. It helps identify children with attention deficit and related disorders; makes referrals for educational and therapeutic services; and assists parents and professionals with developing successful strategies for each child. Pathfinders offers both in-home, individual parent education and on-site school in-service training.
(703) 239-2750
Project W.O.R.D., Inc. offers information and referral service for all ages and disabilities, case management services for employment, community outreach and education, and family mentoring services. The information and referral database can be accessed online at word.callpaul.com.
(703) 525-WORD
Lawyers who have experience working with disability issues can also be excellent advocates, if you have the financial resources to hire them. Here are some local lawyers with expertise in different issues:
Sheri Abrams, P.C. (does legal advocacy on Social Security for adults with disabilities)
(703) 934-5450
Kelly A. Thompson (does legal advocacy on guardianships, powers of attorney, disability benefits, wills and trusts, Medicaid and Medicare)
(703) 486-2666
Needham and Mitnick PLC (legal advocacy on guardianship, powers of attorney, disability benefits, wills and trusts)
(703) 536-7778
Gerard Rugel (legal advocacy on special education and guardianship, powers of attorney, wills, trusts)
(703) 709-9718
Virginia Lawyer Referral Service
1-800-552-7977
Legal Services of Northern Virginia provides advocacy on a variety of issues for low-income families.
Alexandria: (703) 684-5566
Arlington/Falls Church: (703) 532-3733
Fairfax: (703) 246-4500
Educational Consulting Services assesses children who may have specific educational needs and teaches their parents how to advocate for their child’s needs. ECS helps educational professionals design instruction for specific children.
(703) 519-7181
Rose Advocacy Services, Inc. provides advocacy services for children in Northern Virginia with many different types of learning disabilities including BiPolar, ADHD, ADD, Emotionally Disturbed, Autism and Mental Retardation. For more information:
(703)729-5662
Educational Resource Services helps parents prepare for IEP meetings and education hearings, makes school visits and placement recommendations, and serves as a professional liaison to special education attorneys, medical and mental health professionals, private school placement specialists and advocacy organizations.
(703) 764-0705
Barbara, A. Bradford, M.Ed., M.S., 5728 Mason Bluff Drive, Burke, VA 22015.
703-425-0273
Fape Solutions, provides fee-based, personalized IEP assistance. For information call (800) 651-6512. Mention the partnership with The Arc.
Ruth C. Heitin, J.D., Ph.D.(special education), Educational Consulting Sevices, 100 W. Howell Avenue, ALexandria, VA 22301.
703-519-7181
Lori Carver Johnson, 55705 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, VA 22015.
703-239-2750
Reta Y. Lewis, Intervention Strategist, P.O. Box 3389, Falls Church, VA 22043-3389.
703-848-8894
Marjorie B. Orloff, M.Ed., 9000-B Crownwood Court, Burke, VA 22015.
703-764-0705
Laurie Ellen Randall, M.Ed., Starfish Savers, P.O. Box 223626, Chantilly, VA 20153.
703-631-9557
Carol A. Rothernbacher, Ed. D., 5704 Evergreen Knoll Court, Alexandria, VA 22303.
703-329-0005
Ilene Schwartz, EdM., Strategic Educational Solutions, 1307 N. Buchanan Street, Arlington, VA 22205.
703-527-3130
James A. Sebben, Ed.D., LPC, In Step, 8320 Professional Hill Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031.
703-876-8482
Annette Spector, M.S.Ed., Diagnostic & Educational Resources, Inc., 6832 Old Dominion Drive, SUite 200, McLean, VA 22101.
703-883-2009
Judy Braum Zegas, M.Ed., Educational Support & Advocacy Services, P.O. Box 1372, Vienna, VA 22183.
703-319-3478
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