Family Support Guide and Toolkits for participatory action research. Resources for families and others who support self-advocates.

Family Support Guide and Toolkits for participatory action research. Resources for families and others who support self-advocates.

Disability advocacy has always meant speaking up. This is even more important when things feel scary or uncertain. That’s happening now with Texas v. Kennedy. It is a lawsuit filed by some states that threatens the right of people with disabilities to live on their own. The case started with 17 states. Today, it is down to just 9, after Indiana and South Dakota dropped out.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is a good time to talk about mental health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). People with IDD have the same right to mental health care as anyone else. But many also face extra stress. This can include being left out, not being listened to, or having little control over daily life.

Life is full of changes. These changes can be hard for many people. They can be especially hard for people with IDD. It is helpful to remember that coping with change can also bring good things. A few weeks ago, we talked about how our Self-Advocate Network team has been working together for three years building job skills. Now it is time for our Participatory Action Research project to end.

YouTube video by Self-Advocate Network

Family Support Guide and Toolkits for participatory action research. Resources for families and others who support self-advocates.

Explore Real Talk peer-led courses for self-advocates, families, and educators focused on life skills, transition to adulthood, and real-world growth.

We are thrilled to share a new resource for families and caregivers. It’s called the Participatory Action Research (PAR) Family Support Guide. In PAR projects, people with disabilities work on issues that affect their lives. Families support them as they do this work. Our new guide and toolkits include tips and tools to help.   Hear From James James Meadours co-wrote the guide and toolkits.

Explore Real Talk peer-led courses for self-advocates, families, and educators focused on life skills, transition to adulthood, and real-world growth.

Courses for families and supporters to help adults build life and adult skills with practical tools, videos, and guided support.

Often, researchers or projects want to learn more about people with IDD. When they do, they should always include people with IDD as part of their team. The best way to learn about people with IDD is by working with people with IDD. It is also good for people with IDD to gain skills while working on projects. Building job skills helps to get a job.

Six-week group learning toolkits with peer-led courses, teaching guides, and ready-to-use tools to build life and transition to adulthood skills.

Courses for families and supporters to help adults build life and adult skills with practical tools, videos, and guided support.

Today, we are talking about the r-word. It can be very upsetting to many people. But it is a problem that needs to be solved. Many people worked hard to stop the use of this word. Over time, attitudes changed. More people learned that the r-word is hurtful. But lately, the word has started to show up again. We hear it in jokes, online comments, and conversations.

Explore Real Talk peer-led courses for self-advocates, families, and educators focused on life skills, transition to adulthood, and real-world growth.

Explore Real Talk peer-led courses for self-advocates, families, and educators focused on life skills, transition to adulthood, and real-world growth.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. We’re kicking it off with big news. Our new Real Talk series is out! Real Talk programs are created for self-advocates, by self-advocates. That means they are not just participants. They are leaders and teachers. Self-advocate leaders in the Real Talk series are paid for their work. They are recognized for their lived expertise.

Last week, we talked about soulmates. We learned that soulmates can look many ways. This week, we are talking about how to keep that bond strong. One big way is by having shared goals. Shared goals mean you and your partner want some of the same things. You work on these goals together. Hear Brandy talk about shared goals.

Last week, we talked about relationship myths. This week, we’re talking about soulmates. Movies often show only one kind of relationship. But real life is not that simple. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) want relationships. They want to feel cared for, supported, and valued. But what a soulmate looks like can be different for each person. Different Ideas of Soulmates…

Healthy sexuality for people with IDD resource hub. For self-advocates, families, teachers, and service providers. Courses, videos, toolkits and more!

February is Disability Awareness Month. It’s also the month of Valentine’s Day. This month is a good time to talk about relationships. Today, we’re going to bust some myths. Some people have wrong ideas about what people with IDD want, need, and deserve from romantic relationships. We talked with three people with IDD about these myths. Here’s what they had to say.