The Independent Living Center’s Post

Did you know that there are new support groups and programs in Massachusetts specifically designed for individuals with disabilities? These resources offer peer support, advocacy, and family support groups to help those in need. These groups provide a sense of community, understanding, and valuable resources for individuals and their loved ones. If you or someone you know could benefit from these support services, be sure to check them out today! In Massachusetts, various new support groups and programs have been established: - The Disability Action Network (DAN) offers peer support and advocacy for people with disabilities. - The Arc of Massachusetts provides support groups for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. - The Autism Alliance of MetroWest has introduced support groups for families and individuals affected by autism, including parent support groups, sibling support groups, and social skills groups. #Inclusivity #accessibility #EqualOpportunity

Addressing Social Isolation Among Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism in and around Bristol. At The Hive Avon, we are deeply committed to supporting adults with learning disabilities and/ or autism. One of the pressing issues we are address is social isolation. Many individuals in our community face significant challenges in building and maintaining social connections, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and exclusion. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to create inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and connected. Through our various programs and activities, we provide opportunities for social interaction, skill development, and community engagement. Whether it’s through our social events, workshops, or one-on-one support, we strive to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives. How We Make a Difference: Our social drop in: Regular meet-ups where members can socialise, make friends, and participate in fun activities. Workshops: Skill-building sessions that enhance independence and confidence. Community Engagement: Encouraging participation in local events and activities to foster a sense of belonging. Trips, events, taking advantage of the great things on offer in and around Bristol. We believe that everyone deserves to feel connected and supported. By addressing social isolation, we are helping to build a more inclusive and compassionate community. Join us in making a difference as a volunteer, trustee or service user. #TheHiveAvon #Inclusion #Support #LearningDisabilities #Autism #Community #Bristol

If your child has an intellectual, developmental, or other disability, finding community support and connection with other parents facing similar challenges is so beneficial. 💙 READ MORE about the importance of finding a community of support: https://bit.ly/43Iw0Ou #TrudeauCenter #ParentingTogether #DisabilityAwareness #SupportSquad

The Chic Disabilities team would like to take a moment to recognise R U OK? Day. It's a day that reminds us how important it is to check in on our friend, family and colleagues regularly. Just asking a simple question like "Are you OK?" can really make a difference in someone's life. So let's keep the conversation going and always be there to support each other. Let's make every day R U OK? Day! To learn more and find out how you can show your support, visit: https://ow.ly/x9Lz50TlBeH #RUOK #RUOKDAY #MentalHealthMatters #SupportEachOther #ChicDisabilities

Have we made progress in the last 35 years…absolutely!  Individuals with Down Syndrome are living on their own, have meaningful employment and are contributing members of their communities. However, we have so much more to do! Educating communities about the value and contributions of people with Down Syndrome needs to be at the top of our list. I talk with people every day that still hold antiquated notions of people with Down Syndrome. And this must change. I encourage you to engage directly with individuals with Down Syndrome and other disabilities so you can experience their unique gifts and talents, volunteer with Special Olympics, church ministries and other organizations that include and support people with disabilities and help create a more inclusive and respectful environment for people with disabilities to contribute and thrive. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gBr_gQia. #disabilityisnotinability #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocacy #peoplefirstlanguage #morealikethandifferent 💙

JEREL IFIL looking super cool with his new addition of the #earlyintervention, #youth and #community strategy. We launched our strategy today and shared our #ChildFirst, #ThinkFamily and Community approach. We will know our strategy is a success when less children are on #waitinglists, less children and families are referred for things that can be supported in the community, staffing and leadership shows stability and retention, and less children need the statutory intervention of #SocialCare, #YouthJusticeService, #homelessness teams. Interestingly a valuable conversation took place during the launch when talking about Child First as to whether we use terms such as ‘He is Autistic’ (#identityfocused) or ‘James has autism’ (#personfocused). This is an easy one for me, let’s go #ChildFirst and ASK the child what they want. Everyone has an opinion and there is guidance written by Autistic individuals but let’s not fall into the trap of assumption - #ChildFirst all the way!

It’s kind of wild to me how the same people shouting about how 'all disabilities should be seen, heard, and respected' are often the first to shut us down when we speak out. The irony, huh? But here’s the thing.....I’ve stopped people-pleasing and catering to how the system expects me to advocate. The FASD field keeps saying things like 'it’s a marathon,' 'change takes time... blah blah blah.... Yeah, I get it, change isn’t instant. But let’s be real—51 years have passed, and look at where we are. It’s like we took 10 steps forward since 1973 and then stopped moving altogether. How much longer do we have to wait? Another 20 years? Another 50? Will we still be in the same place by 2045, being told to be patient? It’s just so unrealistic—and honestly, it’s exhausting watching people ignore the real emergency we’re facing while claiming to care. So, yeah, I’m going to keep speaking up—even if it makes people uncomfortable. If you don’t like it, maybe the problem isn’t me. It’s the fact that you only listen to people who fit into your idea of ‘acceptable’ advocacy." Period. 👋 #fasd #fasdadvocate #facts #notsorry #reality #wakeup #neurodivergent #Educator #emergency #disabledlivesmatter

The Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma wants to hear from YOU! ➡️ https://ow.ly/c2Wl50UGVNB Their current 5-year plan is finishing & they need YOUR help in understanding what is & what isn't working, your ideas for supports & services, & more! DDCO has in-person listening sessions scheduled around Oklahoma & virtual listening sessions using Zoom. Each session will be small groups sharing information on how we can better serve Oklahomans. If you're unable to attend, you can still provide feedback. After you select 'register' on the link above, you can choose the option (No, but I am interested in completing a survey). Help dream about the future of Oklahoma!

It's Disability Pride month - do you know what the colours on the flag represent? ⭐ Red represents physical disabilities. ⭐ Gold represents neurodiversity. ⭐White stands for non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities. ⭐Blue represents emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety and depression. ⭐Green stands for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, audio processing disorder and all other sensory disabilities. ⭐The charcoal background is to represent people in the community who have experienced ableism and is to protest against this. Here's a great history of this celebration from charity Living Made Easy: https://bit.ly/4bCANDB. Tell us what you're proud of, and what you want people to know . . #disabilitypridemonth #disabilitypride #DisabilityAdvocate #DisabledAndProud #Accessibility #DisabilityPride #DisabilityAdvice #daseastsuffolk #hiddendisability #visibledisability #physicaldisability #mentaldisability #neurodivesity #undiagnoseddisability #sensorydisability #ableism #LivingMadeEasy

Raising Awareness - As policy makers, business owners, influential movers and shakers, let us seek to create alternatives for persons with special needs. We need to do more. Rather than just being empathetic let us implement changes to help improve the services that persons with special needs receive. April 2 is Autism Awareness Day but let’s not limit our efforts to a day’s work. Let’s work towards a sustained norm that promotes inclusion.