Virginia Down Syndrome Association

202 Disability Expo, Richmond
2026-01-18 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Dewey Gottwald Center, 2301 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA, 23220
VDSA will be attending the 3rd Annual Disability Expo at the Dewey Gottwald Center.
Friendship Circle of Virginia is proud to present the 3rd Annual Disability Expo, generously sponsored by QTS Data Centers and the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond! The expo will feature non-profit organizations and businesses that provide services and resources for individuals across the lifespan from infants through senior citizens and their families.
Click for more Information and to Register!

Virtual - Improvaneer
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-29 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:00 and 1 more date | Zoom
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association is excited to start the virtual Improvaneer Method 5 week class again!!
7:00 to 8:00 pm

Returning and new participants welcome!
Teens and adults are welcome to sign up!

The Improvaneer Method:
Teaches participants:
Eye Contact. Creative Thinking. Adaption To Change. Quick Thinking. Focus. Listening. Voice Projection. Character Development. Attention To Detail.
Structure:

Each class lasts one hour and has a theme, a discussion, five games, and ‘homeprov’ that the participants are to practice with friends and family.
In each class we will gradually build in real world scenarios by mostly playing games that imitate various jobs, situations, and connections in real life.
Each week parents will receive an outline of what is coming up in the class.
After the class, emails will be sent to with ‘homeprov’ reminders.

Note from Rob Snow – CEO and Creator
The Improvaneer Method Way focuses on supporting our mission while maintaining immense respect, admiration, and support for the individuals utilizing the program. At all times, we will create a positive learning atmosphere that incorporates fun, humor, and discipline into the achievement and ultimate practice of this skill.
Learn more:
https://www.theimprovaneermethod.com/
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/95223-virtual-improvaneer-winter-2026

Richmond - Relationships & Dating Educational Series
2026-02-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association plans to offer an 8 week educational series presented by Ame Branam, Education Director, and Rachel Goldman, OTS at Virginia Commonwealth University. Both presenters have completed sexuality educator training through Elevatus Training. We have class offerings for self-advocates in high school and beyond. Sessions will be offered at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association office at 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229.
Registration price is $10.00 for the full 8-week session!
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/95014-richmond-relationships-dating-educational-series
Class Dates/Times:

Session 1: Thursday, February 5th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 2: Thursday, February 12th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 3: Thursday, February 19th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 4: Thursday, February 26th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 5: Thursday, March 5th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 6: Thursday, March 12th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 7: Thursday, March 19th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 8: Thursday, March 26th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm

River City Inclusive Gym - Henrico/Richmond - Ages 2-8
2026-02-07 15:00 - 15:45, 2026-03-07 15:00 - 15:45 | River City Inclusive Gym, 11248 Patterson Ave, Henrico, VA, 23238, United States
River City Inclusive Gym – Winter 2026 Ages 2 to 8

River City Inclusive Gym: 11248 Patterson Ave Henrico, VA 23238

Monthly on Saturdays
Jan. 10, Feb 7 and March 7
3:00-3:45 pm – Ages 2-8
$15 per session
Space is limited and Siblings welcome
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/80658-river-city-inclusive-gym-winter-spring-2025-ages-2-to-8

Richmond - LEAP Training (Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention)
2026-02-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-18 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-25 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-04 10:00 - 11:30 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association is pleased to offer LEAP (Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention) training for interested individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities ages 18+.
About LEAP:
Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention (LEAP) is an evidence-based curriculum that provides training about healthy relationships and abuse prevention to groups of adults and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Participants Learn About:

Healthy, confusing, and unhealthy relationships
Asking permission before touching
Different ways to say “no”
Identifying feelings and physical signs of being comfortable or uncomfortable
How to get help
…and more!

Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/94771-leap-training
LEAP training will occur on the following dates and times at the VDSA Office (1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229):

Wednesday, February 11th – 10:00am-11:30am
Wednesday, February 18th – 10:00am-11:30am
Wednesday, February 25th – 10:00am-11:30am
Wednesday, March 4th – 10:00am-11:30am

Presenter Bios:

Emily’s bio:

Emily Dodge lives in Richmond, Virginia. She works at Hope Church in childcare and is a graduate of the Longwood Life program. Emily spends her time going to her river house, crafting and cooking. She loves to dance competitively, hang out with her friends, attend concerts and WWE events, and spend time with her fiancé, to whom she recently became engaged. She is excited to teach LEAP and talk about healthy relationships.

Molly’s bio:

Molly is currently retired after over 30 years with the VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities, a university center for excellence in developmental disabilities. She earned her Master’s degree in Special Education from SUNY Buffalo and began her career as a special educator for children with significant support needs and autism. Later, as a parent of a child who received special education services, she has lived experiences on both sides of the IEP table.
Molly coordinated Virginia’s Positive Behavior Support Project (PBS) was endorsed as a facilitator of Positive Behavior Support in 2007. She co-leads Home and Community PBS, a network of the International Association of PBS. For more than 20 years, she directed three projects that assist children and adults with disabilities with issues surrounding violence, abuse, sexual assault, and neglect. Together with a team of families and professionals, she helped to develop and research LEAP: Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention, an evidence-based intervention for adults with IDD. In addition to published academic journals. Molly is a regular contributor to Parenting Special Needs Magazine. Molly is certified trainer for Person-Centered Thinking and Stewards of Children. Her goal is to help everyone enjoy healthy relationships.

Richmond - Painting Classes at The Art Factory, Winter 2026
2026-02-13 12:30 - 13:30, 2026-03-13 12:30 - 13:30 | Art Factory, , 4810 Market Square Ln, Midlothian, VA, 23112
Painting Class at the Art Factory is the Second Friday of Each Month
12:30 to 1:30 pm
$20 per person
Open to All Friends with Disabilities
Dates: January 9th – February 13 – March 13
Art Factory, 4810 Market Square Ln, Midlothian
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/83876-richmond-painting-classes-at-the-art-factory-fall-2025

Richmond - 12th Education & Transition Conference
2026-03-14 09:00 - 16:00 | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College – Parham Campus, 1651 E Parham Road, Richmond, 23228, United States
Inclusion in Action: Empowering our community to shape tomorrow
Join the Virginia Down Syndrome Association along with educators and families across the Commonwealth for our 12 Education & Transition Conference on Saturday, March 14th from 9am-4pm. We will once again traverse the halls of Massey Library Technology Center at the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Parham Campus.
We are proud to announce that our keynote speaker is David Egan!
For information and registration information on the conference, head here: https://charity.pledgeit.org/c/JxSGvaejG2
Early Bird Admission price is $55 now until February 15th!
