Virginia Beach civic organizations will highlight resources for residents with disabilities

Oct. 21--VIRGINIA BEACH

Medicaid waivers, alternative housing, school and insurance paperwork can be a difficult part of managing a disability.

But the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations hopes to make it easier by putting local resources in one place on Oct. 29 for a conference, "Meeting The Special Needs of Our Community," at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Residents can learn about programs for people with autism, services for senior citizens and how to navigate the Medicaid system, said Vivian Blaize, conference organizer and vice president of the Council of Civic Organizations.

The conference also puts resources in one room instead of spread out among several agencies.

"I had no clue everything was all over the place," Blaize said of resources for people with disabilities or special needs.

Blaize came up with the idea for the conference after being part of a focus group in Bristol, Va., about access to resources. She heard topics there that were echoed in a local focus group months later at Sentara Princess Anne in Virginia Beach.

"The bottom line is that these are issues that are happening across the state," Blaize said.

The group is using the phrase "special needs" in a literal sense, said city spokesman Marc Davis. Flyers for the event mention that it will provide information for people with autism, cognitive disabilities, physical limitations and senior citizens.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 30 percent of Virginia Beach's population reported having some sort of disability. The federal agency has a broad definition of disability that includes people who have trouble using stairs, dressing themselves and living independently.

Andy Friedman, director of the city's Housing and Neighborhood Preservation office, will also speak about the future Housing Resource Center. The center will be complete in 2018 and will offer services and housing for homeless residents and people on the verge of homelessness.

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