Author: AD P

May is Early Intervention Awareness Month in Virginia, emphasizing the critical role of early support in a child’s development. 

Residents of Newport News and Hampton can have their children under the age of 3 screened for free thanks to VersAbility Resources’ Early Prevention and Intervention for Children (EPIC) program, which assists families who have infants and toddlers with developmental delays.

The E in EPIC stands for early, and early intervention is imperative for helping children reach their full potential.

“It is never too early to refer a child for early intervention services,” said Robin Drummond, Program Manager for EPIC. “We receive referrals for infants from hospital discharge coordinators or doctors for infants who are being prepared to be discharged from the hospital. Our program supports children until the day before their third birthday.

A physician referral is not required. A parent or guardian can submit a referral online.

Parents often notice red flags when children aren’t reaching their milestones – standing, sitting or walking at their expected ages. But developmental delays can be subtle.

Difficulty grasping objects and balance issues can result from a physical development delay.

Toddlers not smiling, responding to social stimuli and uninterested in playing with others their age can indicate a cognitive delay.

It’s critical to expose children to environments where they can develop fine and gross motor skills. Balls, steps, soft blocks, and tunnels are ideal for 1-year-olds, while older toddlers benefit from swings, push bikes, balance boards, and hopping animals.

“We encourage parents not to compare their child to other children, but at the same time, there are developmental milestone charts available that are used as guides,” Drummond said. “Often, language delays may go undetected, especially if a parent was told that he or she did not speak until a certain age, so this does not raise a level of concern for the parent. Movement patterns, such as not having a full range of motion to turn your head or other limbs, may go undetected if the child is demonstrating other developmental skills without any difficulty. Toddler eating patterns could potentially be overlooked if it appears the child is getting enough to eat, but maybe from only one or two types of food groups.”

VersAbility’s Service Coordinators work with the caregivers in the family to develop strategies to best support the goals of each individual child leading a life without limits. Service Coordinators use toys and materials found in the home to help caregivers engage with the children so that the necessary skills are developed in their natural environment.

While EPIC serves Hampton and Newport News, early intervention services are available in 40 different localities in Virginia. Families can call VersAbility at 757-896-8457 for a referral. They can also visit the Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia website for a referral or speak with their pediatrician to find the appropriate agency.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of mental well-being and support for all, including people with disabilities, who are often overlooked in these conversations.

Mental health conditions like burnout, depression, and anxiety affect everyone. People with disabilities are an integral part of our communities, and their mental health deserves the same attention, compassion, and care.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults with disabilities report frequent mental distress almost five times as often as adults without disabilities. Factors such as limited access to affordable healthcare and transportation challenges can play a role, along with societal barriers like employment discrimination.

At VersAbility Resources, we embrace a person-centered approach that honors the full identity of people with disabilities. A disability is only one aspect of a person, it does not define them. People with disabilities are as diverse in their experiences, emotions, and talents as anyone else.  

Unfortunately, mental health concerns among individuals with disabilities are sometimes misinterpreted or overlooked. For example, what may be seen as “noncompliance” might actually be an expression of stress, trauma, or even an untreated mental health condition. Just like anyone, people with disabilities may experience depression, anxiety, or emotional challenges, and they can thrive with the right support.

It’s important that we shift the conversation away from “fixing” a disability and instead focus on supporting mental wellness in a way that’s inclusive, empathetic, and empowering.

How can YOU support friends and family with disabilities during Mental Health Awareness Month?

• Check in often, especially if you notice a change in the person’s mood or personality. Making the time to ask questions and listen to the answers is a great start.
• Encourage Self-care. Taking better care of ourselves can be as simple as using an app to practice meditation or booking a spa day. Offer self-care suggestions that are unique to the individual.
• Be mindful that many people with disabilities often navigate transportation issues or social isolation. If you’re planning a social activity, make it welcoming. A simple gesture, like offering a ride or ensuring an event is accessible, can turn a good idea into a great experience.
• If you are an employer, don’t assume that your employees with disabilities are all the same. If you notice a change in behavior, make time to check in with that employee. Create a safe space for conversation. Suggest company resources that might help.
• As an employer, make it a point to recognize Mental Health Month. Consider starting a mental health awareness walk or run, or think out of the box – a book club or scavenger hunt, for example. All your employees with benefits.
• Promote available resources. Resources are everywhere for people with disabilities struggling with a mental health issue. Special Olympics helps people with intellectual disabilities improve their physical fitness. The Special Olympics Strong Mindfulness program offers free, one-hour sessions.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s uplift the voices of people with disabilities, champion their mental wellness, and build a more inclusive and compassionate community for all.

Employment matters.

Many of us spend 40 hours a week at our jobs. Others log as many as 50 or 60 hours at work. Anyone who has spent a long period of time unemployed and searching for a job likely understands all the benefits that stem from regular employment.

The list is long and includes:

• Financial independence: Earning your own money and being able to cover your living expenses without asking for support from others.
• Sense of purpose: Going to work gives us a reason to get up every day. Doing a job well creates a sense of pride.
• Social connections: The camaraderie we build with our colleagues benefits employers, reduces our stress, and increases productivity.
• Confidence: We like to know what we’re doing so we can do it well. Performing well on the jobs, embracing our strengths and working on our weakness leads to self-assurance.
• Community integration: Most employers recognize the importance of giving back to the community they serve. Employees value contributing to the community where they live.
• Resources: Benefits packages can greatly improve our quality of life by providing health insurance, employment assistance programs, and retirement plans.

People with disabilities value all of these things, yet they struggle to find employment. In 2024, the employment-population ratio – the proportion of the population that is employed – was 22.7% among those with a disability, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In contrast, the employment-population ratio for those without a disability was 65.5%.

People with disabilities are often an invisible population to employers, yet they are capable, willing, and motivated to find meaningful work. Routine is important to many individuals with disabilities, and regular work fosters that. They benefit from everything on the list above, just as any person would, as they are not defined by their disability. They are people with likes and dislikes, more interested in certain career fields than others, and typically in search of the same benefits that drive us to find meaningful work.

Several studies indicate that people with disabilities report higher levels of satisfaction with their jobs than employees without a disability. That leads to higher employee retention and higher rates of attendance.

Too often, people with disabilities are overlooked by employers, hindering their path to financial independence. They are excluded from being part of a workplace and part of a community. This affects both their physical and mental health.

The bottom line for most people with disabilities is this.

They want to work, and it’s critical for them to work. They want to build toward financial independence, value being part of a team and community, and gain a sense of purpose and improved confidence when given the opportunity to thrive on the job.

The opportunity to work and benefit from it is a gift all of us should enjoy.

VersAbility Resources creates employment opportunities for people of all abilities, including those with disabilities. We offer jobs and career opportunities based on professional interests and personal goals. We work hard to match people with the best fit so both the employee and the employer can thrive. Learn more about their employment opportunities here.

As an External Affairs Manager with Dominion Energy, Crystal Bright is the conduit between the company and its external partners.

She stays busy keeping government officials from seven municipalities updated on different policies and procedures that Dominion Energy may be changing or implementing as well with any news regarding impacts of major storms in the area, such as number of outages, resources available and action plans. She also fosters relationships between Dominion Energy and local nonprofits, working at events and presenting grants, which is how she first learned about VersAbility Resources.

“I met Kasia at an event six years ago where I was presenting a grant check to VersAbility for overhead skylights,” said Bright. “I always thought she was so lovely, and she always talked so passionately about VersAbility that I thought it must be a great place to work – so positive and uplifting.”

Work culture is important to Bright. She’s been with Dominion Energy since 1996, first as a customer service representative, then a dispatcher, followed by a job as a scheduler and then as an emergency communications specialist, prior to her current role.

“Dominion Energy really is a wonderful company – what I love about Dominion is that they embrace diversity and inclusion – but truly – they started employee resource groups before that was even a thing,” said Bright. “This is a company that embraces everything that you’d want in a company. They recognize that your different skills and your different backgrounds are a bonus. I’m so glad to be here.”

Dominion also supports the causes of its team members.

“As a board member, I am happy to support an organization like VersAbility Resources. I am fortunate as a Dominion Energy employee that my company has an Employee Giving Program that matches employees’ donation contributions to qualified non-profit organizations,” she said. “Thanks to our new online platform through Benevity, Dominion Energy employees can make their donations to any qualified non-profit organization directly on the site and request a matching gift at the same time, which makes it so easy and convenient.”

A Chesapeake native, Bright graduated from Indian River High School – the same year as former NBA star Alonzo Mourning, a fun bit of trivia she likes to share. Bright received her bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University, majoring in creative writing and minoring in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Not one to stay stagnant, Bright earned two additional degrees while working full-time, including a master’s in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University and another master’s in professional writing from New England College. She’s an avid reader and published author. Her PR and writing background have served her well at Dominion, where they appreciate her diverse skills.

Though Bright’s career has centered around forming relationships with people, she didn’t always consider herself particularly extroverted.

“I was a little shy,” she said.

Volunteer work helped bring her out of her shell.

“I find now that when I go out and do volunteer work, a level of stress comes off of me – I don’t think about myself – it’s about others. It feels good to do good.”

Bright, who currently resides in Williamsburg with her husband – a retired service worker from Dominion Energy – is very involved in her community and serves on numerous committees and boards on the Peninsula, supporting organizations such as Kiwanis, An Achievable Dream, Hampton Roads Community Action Program, and others.

When she got the call asking if she’d be interested in joining VersAbility’s Board, she was thrilled.

Bright is currently on the Development Committee, where her focus is on securing sponsors and gathering resources for fundraising events.

She is looking forward to making a difference at VersAbility.

“I want us to hit the ground running, and I want to contribute in any way that I’m able to – whether it’s an idea or a suggestion, I just to want to help others.”