Intellectual and Developmental Disability News

Free Wheelchair Clinics in NYC: Aug. 17

Constructive Partners Unlimited (CP Unlimited) has announced its summer schedule for its free wheelchair clinics, which provide cleaning, maintenance and sanitizing to help maintain the functionality and mobility of powered and non-powered wheelchairs.

Wheelchair users, including people with disabilities, seniors and veterans, and/or any needed Direct Support Professionals and family members are welcome to come.

CP Unlimited, based in New York City, promotes opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve fulfilling lives.

Details

When & Where:

To RSVP and for more information email Ester Girald at egirald@cpofnys.org

Photos: Freepix.com

Bike Lessons for People with Developmental Disabilities: July 5 – July 7

Do you know someone who would be thrilled to ride a bike but needs a good teacher? Ready to Pedal, located in Northern New Jersey, can help make this a reality for children and adults with developmental disabilities and, this summer, it’s offering lessons in Chappaqua, N.Y. (See its website for other summer locations, including three in New Jersey.)

The 45-minute, 1:1 lessons, which are for people of all abilities 5+, last 45 minutes each. People sign up for two lessons — one a day — which is what Ready to Pedal, which has been operating for two years, has learned is the optimal amount of time to get on up and ride. Those in need of a third lesson will be able to book one given the Chappaqua lessons are being given over a three-day period.

People with significant disabilities are welcome, with the understanding that their accomplishments might be more modest. The program is not yet able to teach those in need of adaptive equipment.

The program was developed by a pediatric occupational therapist, according to the website, and experienced instructors work closely with each student to ensure their success.

And here’s a helpful article posted on its blog: 5 Developmental Milestones Reached When Learning to Ride a Bike.

Details

When: July 5, 6 and 7, 2024

Where: Chappaqua train station, Allen Place, Chappaqua, N.Y., 10514

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Cost: 2-lesson package is $250, 3-lesson package is $350

You must reserve a spot. To do so, call or text 201-429-5815.

Photo: Courtesy of Unsplash.com

Lincoln Center Presents ‘Big Umbrella Day Festival’ for the Neurodiverse: July 6

Launched in 2018, the Big Umbrella Festival, presented by Lincoln Center, is designed for neurodiverse kids, teens and their families. Its summer one-day event will feature relaxed spaces, multi-sensory performances, installations and workshops.

Enjoy the whole day or drop in when you want! You can find the full schedule of events and offerings here. They include visual art stations, tai chi and a creative dance station.

The venues are accessible to wheelchair users, and noise-reducing headphones, fidgets and sensory items will be available. Additionally, interactive ASL interpretation will be available throughout the day.

If you require any additional accommodations, contact access@lincolncenter.org or 212-875-5375.

Details

When: Saturday, July 6, 2024

Time: Starts at 11 a.m.; a silent disco is at 6 p.m.

Where: Check the locations. They include: Josie Robertson Plaza, David Geffen Hall, The Garden at Damrosch Park and Hearst Plaza.

Cost: No tickets needed

Preparing People with Down Syndrome for Employment Free Webinar: July 10

If you’ve been thinking about employment for a loved one with Down syndrome, this free webinar might be of help.

Presented by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), it features Amanda Myers, employment coordinator at Down Syndrome Innovations and a certified employment support professional.

Myers will discuss various strategies aimed at integrating vocational training into daily activities. Discover how to optimize skill-building opportunities across different environments and empower both children and adults with practical tools for success in the workforce.

Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, or supporter, this webinar will provide actionable strategies for fostering independence and address the common question, “Where do I start?”

Myers will also discuss the role of employment professionals, such as vocational rehabilitation.

Details

When: Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Time: 2 p.m.

Register here

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Webinar: July 25

School may be over but some students will be taking Regents examinations in August. This training will help participants understand the appropriate use of test accommodations for students with disabilities. It will provide information related to the decision-making process, the types of test accommodations that are available, and how they are documented on the Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Organizers are Hudson Valley School-Age FACE Center and NYSED OSE Partnership.

Details

When: Thursday, July 25, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Learn About Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Aug. 28

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults. Adults and children might be eligible for SSI if they meet these three criteria: little or no income; little or no resources; and a disability, blindness, or are age 65 or older.

If you’re considering applying for SSI for your family member, there are two workshops you might find of interest.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Resources

SSI  is a needs-based program with strict limits and complicated rules related to resources. This free webinar from the National Center on Law & Elder Rights (NCLER) will focus on SSI resource limits and rules, including:

The presenter is Kate Lang, director of Federal Income Security, Justice in Aging.

Details

When: Wed., Aug. 28, 2024

Time: 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Register here.

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts Basics: Aug. 29

Would you like to learn more about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts?

This free webinar will explain how this financial tool can help individuals with disabilities save while receiving SSI benefits. What is an ABLE account, how it works and the eligibility requirements will be discussed. Potential ABLE participants and their families are invited.

Details

When: Thurs., Aug. 29, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. t0 1:15 p.m.

Register here.

The Boost’s 2024 Westchester County Recreation Resource List (Children and Adults)

Welcome to The Boost’s first annual recreation list for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Westchester County! (To come: Rockland and Putnam counties.)

The list below includes programs that cover sports & fitness, the arts, social clubs and more.

This is not an endorsement of any particular program. Always ensure it meets the needs of your loved ones.

Several things to note:

Backyard Sports Cares

Breakthrough Fit

Cerebral Palsy of Westchester

Clubhouse Stars

Edge Martial Arts

Family YMCA at Tarrytown

Fast Feet

Fit 4 All NY @ The Arena

Gigi’s Playhouse Westchester

JCC Mid-Westchester

Little League Challenger Division

Miracle League of Westchester

Music Conservatory of Westchester

New Rochelle Parks and Recreation

NOTE: Check your town’s Parks & Rec departments; while I didn’t hear back from most of them, special needs activities are noted on many different Park & Rec websites.

North East Westchester Special Recreation

Nor-West Regional Special Services

PACE University Aquatics

RockonMusic School

RSC Westchester

Rye YMCA

Scarsdale Aikido

Select Human Services

Shames JCC on the Hudson

South East Consortium

SPARC

Steffi Nossen School of Dance & Center for Movement

Swim Angelfish

TicTacGO!

True ChampionZ Martial Arts

We Rock the Spectrum Gyms

This franchise has locations in 34 states. There currently are two in New York, one in New Rochelle, the other Staten Island.

YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester

Down Syndrome Back-to-School Webinar: Aug. 27

The National Down Syndrome Society (ndss) has a free webinar, Down Syndrome: The Specific Learning Profile, which will look at the unique profile of strengths and challenges that individuals with Down syndrome face.

It’s designed to “share an in-depth look at each area of the learning profile as well as how you can use this information with your school teams.”

Speakers will be NDSS Senior Manager of Education Programs Jessica Kuss and NDSS Programs Associate Charlotte Woodward.

Details

When: Aug. 27, 2024

Time: 1 p.m.

You must register in advance here.

‘Smart Beginnings’ Early Intervention Webinar from OSEP: Wed., Aug. 28

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is hosting the “Smart Beginnings” 2024 webinar series, one of which is open to parents and families.

The forum plans to provide participants with the opportunity to learn about improving academic and developmental outcomes, expanding family engagement, and advancing equitable access to high-quality early intervention and instruction through the implementation of evidence-based practices.

Attendees will hear from OSEP leaders and subject matter experts. Sessions will include a live question and answer session with presenters.

Details

When: Wed., Aug. 28, 2024

Time: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Register here.