Center for Disability Leadership - CDL

10/23/2026

Celebrate the power of disability justice and universal design by learning about global activist and author Eddie Ndopu!

Eddie Ndopu is a South African activist and writer who defied a terminal diagnosis to become a global voice for disability justice and UN sustainability goals.

In 2023, he published his memoir - written with one finger - chronicling his fight against ableism and his pursuit of success.

He founded A BILLION REASONS, an incubator for disability innovation and universal design.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

10/22/2026

Ever wonder why a kid might make a face at your candy or look too old or grab too much, here’s some things to consider! Let’s make this Halloween fun, safe, and accessible for every child and family in our community!

THIS HALLOWEEN, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND

• The child who does not say "Trick or Treat" or “Thank You," might be NONVERBAL
• The child who looks disappointed when they see your bowl, might have an ALLERGY
• The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy, might have POOR FINE MOTOR SKILLS
• The child who isn't wearing a costume, might have SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER
• The person who looks too old to trick or treat, might have a DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

10/21/2026

Complex Medical Needs - How to help in the most gracious way? Check out this Care Card. Pass it along to anyone it might help! ✅

😍Care Card ~ Supporting Families Dealing with Complex Medical Needs

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

CREATE A CAREGIVER CARE PACKAGE: Drop off a bag with earplugs, sleep masks, face wipes, and other comfort items for long hospital stays.

PROVIDE FUEL: Give the gift of easy meals or gift cards for gas and food. Travel costs add up quickly.

MANAGE THE HOUSEHOLD:
Offer specific help with siblings, pets, lawn care, cleaning, etc.

CHECK IN: Keep calling or texting regularly, even if I don't respond. It helps me feel less alone.

BE SPECIFIC WITH HELP: Example: "I'm at the store, what can I drop off?" or "l have 2 hours on Tuesday to help with laundry."

Please Don't ✋

SAY "EVERYTHING WILL BE OK":
It might not be. This diminishes how heavy and complex my family's situation can be.

SAY "I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT": We do it because we have to; and our entire life is impacted. Saying this reminds us of how much we've adapted to manage these complexities.

COMPARE TO TYPICAL ILLNESS:
Please don't compare a complex medical journey to routine appointments or procedures. Everything we deal with is far more involved than the "typical" experience.

I Can ...

✅Do a specific errand
✅Provide a meal
✅Support a sibling
✅Drop off a care package

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

10/20/2026

WHAT IS A MOUTH PAD? ✨

Technology is changing the game for digital accessibility, making hands-free navigation smarter and more seamless than ever! 💻📱

Here is everything you need to know about this innovative assistive tech device:

• Tongue-Controlled: Removable, custom retainer for hands-free device navigation
• Accessibility: Built for limited hand mobility
• Custom Fit: 3D-printed dental-grade resin
• Universal: Bluetooth connectivity
• Smart Gestures: Trackpad tracking, clicking, and scrolling via tongue/head movements

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

10/20/2026

Masking is real and exhausting!

10/16/2026

Parent to Parent USA, whose incredible nationwide network offers vital emotional support and resources to families supporting children with special needs and medical complexities.

🎉We are so proud of our deep connection to Parent to Parent USA (P2P USA)! 💙 As a proud P2P USA alliance member, CFI believes strongly in building community, cross-sharing resources, and lifting up families nationwide.

A massive shout-out to our very own Rebecca Stickler for serving on the national planning committee for the recent Volunteer Support Parent Summit, and to our Director Nickie Brandenburger for her leadership serving on the P2P USA Board of Directors!

We were also thrilled to see all six of our Virginia Family Navigators join volunteers from across the country for the annual Volunteer Support Parent Summit, an invaluable virtual gathering dedicated to peer support, networking, and expert-led sessions on vital topics like navigating grief, understanding trauma, father engagement, grandfamilies, and LGBTQIA+ disability advocacy.

Stay tuned as we partner more closely with P2P USA to cross-promote and support families and advocates everywhere!

P2P Website: www.p2pusa.org

Image Description: CFI and P2P logos and How does P2P support work?

Referred Parent is matched with a Support Parent.

A Referred Parent is a person who would like to connect with another family for support. Support Parents are individuals in the caretaking role that have lived experience with disabilities or special healthcare needs. They are volunteers that completed the Support Parent training.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Partnership for People with Disabilities Association of University Centers on Disabilities Parent to Parent USA

10/15/2026

Founded by families who’ve walked the path, Courageous Parents Network (CPN) is a vital nonprofit dedicated to supporting parents and clinicians caring for children with serious medical conditions.

🔦SHINING the SPOTLIGHT: Courageous Parents Network (CPN)—an invaluable nonprofit offering guidance for families and clinicians navigating pediatric medical complexity. 🌟

Supporting families and clinicians navigating a child's serious medical condition can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to walk the path alone. 💙

CPN offers incredible, diagnosis-agnostic digital resources, video libraries, and community programming designed to empower caregivers every step of the way.

Explore their life-changing portals—including Navigating Medical Complexity, NeuroJourney, and Coping with Loss—to find guidance, palliative care insights, and a true sense of community.

Discover their compassionate, bias-free resources: courageousparentsnetwork.org

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

10/15/2026

Hearing Levels and Everyday Sounds - details about audiogram and ranges of hearing in new Resource Guide. Check it out!

Navigating hearing levels and early intervention can feel overwhelming for families, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone! 💙

Our newest resource guide breaks down everything from everyday sound ranges to hearing aids, FM systems, and cochlear implants—making it easier to understand your child’s hearing journey and know what support is available.

Get Prepared Here: Scan the QR code on the graphic or click the link to explore the guide and find free tools for your family’s journey! 📚

LINK: https://tinyurl.com/resource-guide-0-5

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Partnership for People with Disabilities VCU School of Education

10/13/2026

Discover how leveraging a community-based workforce of peer support specialists, health workers, and care coordinators can dramatically expand access to behavioral health care in rural areas.

How can we bridge the gap in rural health care? 🌾 Building a strong, community-driven workforce is key to expanding vital behavioral health services where they are needed most.

In our latest resource from the Center for Health Care Strategies, The Rural Pearl with Lisa Richard explores how leveraging peer support specialists, community health workers, paramedics, and care coordinators can transform care delivery.

Discover practical strategies for providers and health systems to strengthen rural behavioral health access.

ARTICLE: www.chcs.org/resource/increasing-access-to-rural-behavioral-health-care-through-a-community-based-workforce/

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: Partnership for People with Disabilities VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

10/10/2026

Buddy Walk 🎉