Center for Family Involvement

09/02/2026

🎭THE WEIGHT OF THE MASK
- MASKING — WHAT YOU DON’T SEE … “Masking Burnout”

To start: ❓What is masking? (stay tuned all next week for more posts on masking)!

It is when neurodivergent people consciously or unconsciously suppress their natural traits, behaviors, or sensory needs to fit into a neurotypical world.

It’s the exhausting effort of hiding sensory overload, anxiety, or neurodivergent traits just to “blend in” at school or work.

It takes a massive amount of energy, leading directly to the dreaded “masking hangover.”

Every social interaction, hidden trigger, and effort to sit still is draining

Natural Movement: Allow fidgeting & stimming

Provide Quiet Spaces: Create a “zero-demand” corner for quick recharging

Lower Sensory Stress: Dim fluorescent lights and preview schedule changes

Prioritize Comfort over Compliance: Never force eye contact or group work

MORNING ➡️100%➡️Masking Starts

NOON➡️50%➡️Hiding Strain

DISMISSAL➡️0%➡️Burnout/Shutdown

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 (AUCD)

09/01/2026

Anyone have thoughts on this? Please share!

In what researchers are hailing as a landmark move, a new study is helping to explain how autism-linked genes rewire the brain potentially opening the door to treatments for the developmental disability.

09/01/2026

Its not too late to sign up for next week "Literacy without Limits" session: "When Seeing Isn't Understanding: Brain-Based Visual Impairments and the Road to Reading and Writing".

When: September 8th, 2026 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vmbwloB1R2e7BrYk4Nsc7w

ALT Text: Event flyer for "Literacy Without Limits" titled "When Seeing Isn't Understanding: Brain-Based Visual Impairment and the Road to Reading and Writing." Takes place September 8th, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM with presenters Dr. Michelle Hicks and Christina Liebler.

09/01/2026

Great news for Richmond-area families: FREE expert guidance is just a call or click away!

Navigating early childhood can bring up all kinds of questions—from developmental milestones and big emotional shifts to understanding a new diagnosis or finding Early Intervention programs.

That is why VCU's Partnership for People with Disabilities created Just Ask, a wonderful free pilot initiative supported by the Robins Foundation designed to connect parents, caregivers, and child care providers (for children ages 0–6) with compassionate professionals.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Reach out for confidential, supportive guidance to help you find your next step:

Call or Text: 804-628-5124
Email: [email protected]
Web: justask.partnership.vcu.edu

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

09/01/2026

Diploma requirements are now removed! 🎉

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is currently accepting applications for ACE-IT in College, an accredited inclusive college education program (IPSE) designed for students with intellectual disability.

This college program supports students in taking VCU courses aligned with their career goals, engaging in paid campus jobs, and completing community internships—all while receiving personalized support from advisors, coaches, and peer mentors to develop essential life and career skills.

ACE-IT students earn a recognized Certificate of Completion from the VCU School of Education and are prepared for competitive, integrated employment in their chosen fields.

With a 90% employment rate for graduates, ACE-IT transforms students' lives by providing pathways to meaningful careers.

Applications are due by March 1, 2027. For more information, visit aceitincollege.vcu.edu/apply/apply-now/.

📣📣📣Program eligibility update! Beginning in 2025, ACE-IT removed the diploma-type requirement for admission eligibility. Students may now apply as long as they have completed high school. All other eligibility and interview requirements remain unchanged. This change allows ACE-IT to align with statewide and national trends and increases opportunities for students to access college.

08/31/2026

Accessibility should be built into EVERY pool. Shoutout to Pendry Hotels & Resorts in Baltimore for getting it right! 🌊 This beautifully designed zero-entry pool with proper handrails is a gold standard for accessibility.

Every pool design should look like this so everyone can enjoy the water with ease and dignity!

PRO-TIP: If you want to experience luxury stays like this affordably, programs like Chase Sapphire Reserve's hotel collection offer great ways to unlock perks and better rates! They offer deep discounts and GENEROUS restaurant credits.

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

08/31/2026

Air Canada has launched an expanded mobility aid travel policy along with a comprehensive Accessibility Plan

1. Three-Item Allowance: Passengers can now travel complimentary with up to three mobility aids. Eligible items include combinations of personal mobility aids, adaptive sports equipment (like sport wheelchairs or mono-skis), and personal or patient lifts.

2. Real-Time App Tracking: Passengers can track the loading and unloading status of their mobility equipment in real time using the Air Canada Mobile App for added peace of mind.

3. Complimentary Cargo Shipping: If a mobility device is too large to fit in the aircraft's cargo hold, Air Canada Cargo will transport it within Canada free of charge on an alternate flight.

4. Infrastructure Investments: The airline has invested in specialized lift equipment across Canadian airports and introduced enhanced boarding procedures.

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

08/31/2026

🎓 Registration is OPEN for the 2026 Fall Session of Transition University!

Planning for life after high school can bring a lot of questions. Transition University, a collaboration between PEATC and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), is a FREE, self-paced online course designed to help families and professionals better understand the transition process and prepare students with disabilities for life after high school.

The Fall 2026 session runs October 5 through December 7, giving you the flexibility to learn on your own schedule.

Whether transition is right around the corner or still a few years away, it’s never too early to start planning!

🔗 Register today: go.peatc.org/tu-fall2026

08/31/2026

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” -Alice Walker

Self-determination isn't something given to you; it’s something you claim. Alice Walker reminds us that believing in your own agency is where real change begins. Reclaim your seat at the table this week.

Wishing you all an empowered Monday ☀️ .

08/31/2026

Lateral Ableism 101 ✨👨🏼‍🦽‍➡️👨🏻‍🦼✨

Image description: a colorful accessibility-themed infographic on a white background titled “What is Lateral Ableism?” in large black lettering outlined with bright pink. Decorative stars surround the title. At the upper left and upper right are cartoon illustrations of women who use wheelchairs; the woman on the left wears a green shirt and dark green pants, while the woman on the right wears a bright pink shirt and red pants.

Below the title, the infographic defines lateral ableism in several lines of black text:
“Lateral ableism describes a type of discrimination that occurs amongst members of the disabled community or between disabled individuals. Lateral ableism differs from traditional ableism, as it involves discrimination from peers within the same group and not from non-disabled people or from systems.”

A pink-outlined heading underneath reads: “Examples of lateral ableism include:”

Three colored text boxes appear across the bottom:

Green box on the left: “Minimizing or invalidating the lived experience of a fellow disabled person.”

Pink box in the center: “Projecting one’s own internalized ableism onto others within the community.”

Green box on the right: “Questioning the validity of those with invisible disabilities or who do not ‘look disabled.’”

At the bottom center, the creator’s handle appears in gray text.