Community Bridges

The North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA) T21 Moms Retreat is a special time to connect, recharge, and find support—but understandably, the cost to attend can be a challenge for some. To help make this retreat more accessible, NCDSA is offering a limited number of scholarships! ? What is the T21 Moms Retreat? It’s a chance for moms to come together, share experiences, and build a supportive community. Whether you're looking for connection or a little time for self-care, this retreat offers a welcoming space for you. ?? How to Apply: If you’ve been interested in attending but financials have been a barrier, consider applying for a scholarship. The process is simple and confidential (unless otherwise approved by the awardee). ??? Important Dates: Application Deadline: December 5th Notifications Sent By: December 15th ? Why Apply? Find connection with other moms who understand your journey. Recharge and enjoy some much-needed time for yourself. Gain support and inspiration from a like-minded community. Don’t let cost stop you from joining us! Apply for a scholarship today and take part in this supportive retreat:

Operation Providing Hope is hosting a Thanksgiving Drive Thru Meal for Hurricane Helene recovery victims. This Saturday, November 30, 2024 570 Brevard Road Unit 9 Asheville, NC 28806 Serving starting at 1:00 PM for those in need of a meal this holiday. #Thanksgiving #foodie #freefood #ashevillenc #HurricaneHelene

A group of Panther Creek High School juniors is exploring possibilities for implementing AI in adapted sports organizations. Their goal is to understand how well people with disabilities in Central North Carolina are informed about adapted sports opportunities available to them. By gathering this data, they aim to develop a strategic plan that helps adapted sports clubs reach more interested athletes. This project materialized from a shared love for sports between project partners and a desire to help students with disabilities form relationships and connections through involvement in sports! You can help by filling out this short survey linked below today! #AdaptedSports #DisabilityInclusion

A group of Panther Creek High School juniors is exploring possibilities for implementing AI in adapted sports organizations. Their goal is to understand how well people with disabilities in Central North Carolina are informed about adapted sports opportunities available to them. By gathering this data, they aim to develop a strategic plan that helps adapted sports clubs reach more interested athletes. This project materialized from a shared love for sports between project partners and a desire to help students with disabilities form relationships and connections through involvement in sports! You can help by filling out this short survey linked below today! #AdaptedSports #DisabilityInclusion

Meet Irlanda Ruiz, our Hispanic Disability Advocate! Irlanda, a mother of a young person with I/DD herself, understands the journey you're on. She's passionate about empowering Latino families – helping them understand their rights and find the resources that can make a real difference. We know that the Latino community with I/DD faces unique challenges, like language barriers and limited access to resources. The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) is working hard to break down those barriers and make sure everyone has the support they need. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, NCCDD recently featured the stories of four Hispanic members of our community: Milly, Khristina, Victor, and Aydin. Visit the link below to read their stories and learn more about the work we are doing to support our Hispanic and Latino I/DD communities! Irlanda Ruiz, NCCDD Hispanic Disability Advocate, standing behind an information table at a conference.

There are nearly 7.5 million people living in America with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Still, this portion of our population holds many abilities – to contribute to their communities, including in the area of employment. However, making connections between employers and would-be employees has its challenges. This episode of Due South discusses the issue of employing people with I/DD with Jacklyn Boheler, Alex Martel, and Lisa Kaylie who are pushing to get more people with I/DD meaningful employment. Image: Employees working behind the counter at B3 Coffee in Chapel Hill.

The Inclusion Works Program is hosting two Lunch & Learn Webinars in November to provide a deep-dive on Benefits Counseling and Work Incentives. 1st Session – Understanding Benefits and Employment Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Relationship between employment and benefits for individuals with I/DD Question & Answer Session with Benefits Counselor 2nd Session – Navigating Benefits and Employment: Real World Experiences Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Benefit Programs Eligibility and Info: Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, WIC/SNAP Individual Testimonies, Question & Answer Session Register for the Lunch & Learn sessions at the following link:

The next sensory friendly film at the Carolina Theatre of Durham is The Addams Family, next Saturday, Nov 16 at 11:30am! Read more about how this partnership creates a sensory friendly movie-going experience. Tickets can be reserved at: https://buff.ly/3O2HuFO

The Advocacy and Leadership Awards, hosted by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD), honor the significant contributions made by advocates who are actively working to change attitudes and support greater choices and build a more inclusive North Carolina for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The link below leads to a video, posted to Facebook, celebrating the five recipients of the 2024 awards.