Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities

The Rhode Island Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired Children is hosting a free beeping egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, at Johnston High School, 345 Cherry Hill Road. Participants can hunt for beeping and non-beeping eggs and turn them in for a special prize. The event will take place on the football field, but rain will move the hunt inside to the gymnasium. The event will feature a balloon artist, face painter, crafts, snacks, goodie bags and a visit from a costumed bunny. Register online at https://in-sight.org/egg

Nine paraprofessionals from local public schools recently completed “Material Adaptation and Braille Introduction for Paraprofessionals,” a five-week training at the Sherlock Center. This hands-on program equipped them with essential skills to better support students with visual impairments, including adapting educational materials, enhancing accessibility and learning the fundamentals of braille.

The UMass Boston Vision Studies program will host information sessions in March and April on pursuing graduate studies in: ? Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) (M.Ed. and graduate certificate) ? Assistive Technology Specialist for People with Visual Impairments (AT) (M.Ed. and graduate certificate) ? Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairments (CVI) (graduate certificate only) ? New Deafblind Graduate Certificate (currently going through university governance) VRT and AT information sessions will be held at 6 p.m. on March 5 and April 9. CVI and Deafblind Graduate Certificate sessions will be held at 4 p.m. on April 2 and 7 p.m. on April 30. Topics will include academic programs at UMass Boston, a sample course of study, the application process, tuition, fees and scholarships. Register at https://bit.ly/4beNDJy.

??Our 2025 Access for All Abilities Mini Grant application is now LIVE! Calling all businesses, nonprofits, schools and municipalities that want to create an inclusive environment: Our grant program supports initiatives aimed at improving accessibility, allowing people with disabilities to fully participate in social, leisure, recreational and cultural activities alongside other community members. Click below to learn more about eligibility and explore past projects that received funding. Applications are due by April 9.

We are seeking service providers for the Dual Sensory Impairments (DSI) Project to provide four hours per week of training, technical assistance, dissemination of resources, and research initiatives pertinent to children and youth with combined vision and hearing challenges, their families, and the teams (early intervention and school-based) that support them. ?? Learn more about this and other open positions: https://bit.ly/SC_careers.

You can have a say in improving brain injury services in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Brain Injury Services Redesign Study is seeking feedback from people with brain injury, family members, caregivers, providers and others. Your input will play a vital role in shaping recommendations to improve brain injury services and supports for Rhode Islanders. ??? Deadline: Friday, Jan. 31 ?? https://bit.ly/4gaj3ld

?? Looking for a part-time job with real impact? Apply by Jan. 12 to become a National Core Indicators Survey interviewer to collect data that will help measure and improve the quality of supports for seniors and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ?? Learn more about this and other open positions: https://bit.ly/SC_careers.

?? Thinking about starting your own business in 2025? Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC) is offering its FREE Business Development Series, nine weeks of online self-employment classes for people with disabilities, families and community agencies, starting on Jan. 21. Classes provide business advice, resources and ongoing peer and staff support. Mini grants up to $1,000 are available to people who complete classes and homework and start their businesses. To register for this class or for more information, call Claudia Lowe at 401-738-3960 or Sue Babin at 401-523-2300.

?? Important Social Security updates for 2025! Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and other disability and retirement benefits are increasing by 2.5% this year. Learn what this means for individuals who work: https://bit.ly/49Yl56E If you have questions about work affecting your benefits, learn more about how to access benefits counseling: https://bit.ly/40fIQnl

?? Did you know that local Social Security offices are no longer taking walk-in appointments? To receive assistance, customers are now required to schedule a visit in advance. ·??Look up your local office here: https://bit.ly/4iV4FQz ·??Learn how to get help from Social Security here: https://bit.ly/40dzVTA