Many Virginians have limited English proficiency (LEP), meaning they may not read, speak, or understand English well and need language support to access services. For Latino families of people with developmental disabilities (DD), this creates real barriers to getting help, understanding rights, and navigating systems.
Action:
The Virginia Council provided funding for the “Bienvenido’s Todos” project to improve access to clear Spanish-language information about developmental disabilities services, supports, and resources. The project focused on strengthening communication and coordination with trusted community organizations serving Spanish-speaking families.
Results:
The project delivered 18 webinars covering disability services, resources, legal information, and family support. Activities reached:
- 41 community partner organizations
- 30 individuals with developmental disabilities
- 196 family members
Social media outreach associated with the webinars reached approximately 18,667 individuals.
The project also developed four Spanish-language informational briefs on topics including legal services, disability resources, family supports, and transition planning. These materials were viewed 6,778 times.
In addition, the project hosted a “Transition on the Road” conference to help families better understand transition-related services and supports.
Impact:
This project improved access to developmental disabilities information and resources for Spanish-speaking families in Virginia. Through webinars, community partnerships, and accessible Spanish-language materials, the project expanded awareness of available services, strengthened communication with families, and improved coordination among organizations supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.