Resources

Welcome to our resources page.  Here you'll find videos and links of interest as well as website information for some groups that I am currently or have been associated with. Each resource provides information that I hope will point you in a positive direction to help solve your disability mission. 

Videos of interest

Personal Resources

Organizational Resources

Matthew Shapiro Speaking: 

A site focused solely on Matthew's public speaking services. LEARN MORE

National Council on Independent Living:

The National Council on Independent Living is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States. LEARN MORE 

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities:

VBPD serves as Virginia's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Planning Council. DD Councils are in every state and territory of the United States. They work for the benefit of individuals with DD and their families to identify needs and help develop policies, programs and services that will meet these needs in a manner that respects dignity and independence. LEARN MORE

Virginia Advocates United Leading Together:

We are Virginians who come together to give and receive awareness, knowledge, advocacy and support for ourselves and others so that those living fulfilling lives, and be active, participating members of their communities. LEARN MORE

United States Business Leadership Network:

USBLN (US Business Leadership Network) unites business around disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace. USBLN has more than 130 corporate partners spanning the technology, healthcare, financial, transportation, entertainment, and retail industries. USBLN serves as a collective voice of nearly 50 Business Leadership Network Affiliates across the United States, representing over 5,000 businesses. USBLN has various nationally recognized tools and programs, such as the Disability Equality Index and the leading disability-owned business enterprise (DOBE) certification program, to bridge inclusive companies with people and organizations within the disability community. LEARN MORE

The American Association for People with Disabilities:

AAPD works to improve the lives of people with disabilities by acting as a convener, connector, and the catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. LEARN MORE

The Partnership for People with Disabilities

To partner with people with disabilities and others to build communities where all people can live, learn, work and play together. LEARN MORE.

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership:

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership was founded in 1993 to bring together diverse individuals with a passion for politics and public service. All have a wide variety of viewpoints and backgrounds but want to work together for the common good. Our non-partisan mission is to strengthen and enhance the quality of government at all levels throughout Virginia.

Through a variety of programs—for high school and college leaders to first-time political candidates and influential business and community leaders—the Sorensen Institute has established itself as a powerful and effective force for restoring public confidence in our political system. 

At the heart of every Sorensen program are three central themes: ethics in public service, the power of bipartisanship, and a concentrated study of public policy issues. LEARN MORE

Virginia Department of Education’s I’m Determined Project:

The I’m Determined project, a state directed project funded by the Virginia Department of Education, focuses on providing direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior. This project facilitates youth, especially those with disabilities to undertake a measure of control in their lives, helping to set and steer the course rather than remaining the silent passenger. LEARN MORE

Virginia Youth Leadership Forum:

The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) program seeks to empower young people with developmental and other disabilities to further develop their leadership skills. Students, serving as Delegates from communities throughout Virginia, participate in a wide range of activities and learning experiences during this summer program set on a university campus. LEARN MORE

 Virginia Partners in Policy Making:

Individuals participating in PIP attend advocacy training, resource development, and skill building workshops led by state and national experts. Topics covered include the history of the disability rights movement, self-advocacy, independent living, employment, building inclusive communities, natural supports, legislative advocacy, assistive technology, communication, team building, and much more! LEARN MORE

Virginia Business Leadership Network: 

VABLN is a business-to-business (B2B) association focused on increasing workforce and marketplace diversity through the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. LEARN MORE

The ARC of Virginia:

The Arc of Virginia promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. LEARN MORE

Division on Career Development and Transition:

The mission of DCDT is to promote national and international efforts to improve the quality of and access to, career/vocational and transition services, increase the participation of education in career development and transition goals and to influence policies affecting career development and transition services for persons with disabilities. LEARN MORE

AbleThrive:

A one-stop platform for people with disabilities and their families to access curated and customized resources from around the world. LEARN MORE

ABLEnow:

ABLEnow provides people with disabilities and their families the opportunity to save money for today’s needs or invest for tomorrow. These simple, affordable and tax-advantaged accounts allow eligible individuals to save up to $14,000 a year without endangering their eligibility for certain benefit programs critical to their health and well-being.

ABLEnow accounts are made possible by the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which authorized states to establish tax-advantaged ABLE savings programs. As the Virginia-sponsored ABLE savings program, ABLEnow is administered by Virginia529, the nation’s largest college savings plan.

With accounts in all 50 states, ABLEnow is one of the fastest-growing ABLE programs in the country. LEARN MORE

No Barriers USA:

Our mission is to unleash the potential of the human spirit.  Through transformative experiences, tools and inspiration, we help people embark on a quest to contribute their absolute best to the world.  In the process, we foster a community of curious, brave and collaborative explorers who are determined to live the No Barriers Life. LEARN MORE

Sportable:

We don’t just provide adaptive sports and recreation opportunities in RVA –The reason Sportable exists is to transform the lives of people with physical and visual disabilities through sport! We know that is a bold claim and some might question whether we can really achieve that mission. Our response – come meet our athletes, hear their stories, watch them when they are in their “zone”. We can guarantee they would agree that in some way a transformation has occurred. This visionary approach to our mission allows us to keep pushing forward and aiming high—just as we ask of each of our athletes! LEARN MORE