AccessRise · Community Engagement
Connect with your community.
Make the day your own.
AccessRise Community Engagement supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build relationships, explore local places, and participate in activities that reflect their interests and goals.
Activity examples come from the Fredericksburg October 2026 calendar and Manassas October 2026 calendar. They illustrate possible experiences, not a fixed schedule or a record of attendance. Participation reflects each person’s choices, needs, and support plan; activities may change.
Our Community Engagement Approach
AccessRise helps people build relationships, explore interests, and take part in everyday community life. Activities start with what matters to the individual.
For example: Library and park visits in Manassas, or the Fredericksburg City Docks nature scavenger hunt, offer different ways to explore and connect.
Enriching Experiences in Natural Settings
Learning and social connections can develop in the places people use every day: libraries, shops, museums, parks, and recreation venues.
For example: A visit to the Fredericksburg Area Museum or Gari Melchers Gardens can offer opportunities to ask questions, share interests, and enjoy local culture.
Dedicated Community Coaches
Our Community Coaches provide individualized support during activities, helping each person participate, communicate, and build confidence at their own pace.
For example: During a bowling outing or a game at Monster Mini Golf, a Community Coach can support asking for equipment, taking turns, or joining a conversation.
Virginia’s Community Spirit
AccessRise draws on local places and events to help people become familiar, active members of their communities.
For example: Fredericksburg’s calendar includes Cooper Branch bingo and Braehead Farm pumpkin picking. Manassas includes an art gallery visit and a nursery visit.
Individual Choices and Schedules
People help shape their activity schedules around their interests, routines, preferences, and support needs.
For example: Someone interested in animals might choose PetSmart or a zoo outing. A person who enjoys quieter activities might prefer a library visit or birdwatching.
Continued Growth and Learning
Everyday experiences can offer opportunities to practice communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and practical skills.
For example: A Goodwill or dollar-store outing can support comparing items and making choices. A restaurant visit can offer practice expressing a meal preference and asking for help.
Planning for Meaningful Participation
Our team coordinates activities and support with attention to each person’s schedule, communication, accessibility, and personal needs.
For example: For a nature walk, planning may include a comfortable route, rest breaks, and the person’s preferred pace. For a museum outing, it may include identifying exhibits the person wants to see.
More Ways to Connect
Community participation can help people discover new interests and develop a sense of belonging.
For example: The calendars include kindness cards at the mall, Tea With Friends, gardens, museums, bowling, and community walks—offering different starting points for meaningful connections.
Let’s find the right fit.
Tell us about your interests, goals, and support needs. Our team can help you explore services and the next steps.
Illustrative banner photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash.