The Resource Exchange的动态

Check out episode to learn more about an invaluable WI resource for families of children with disabilities.

Disabled children often find immense joy in the simplest acts of kindness. For them, even small gestures—like spending time with them, playing games, offering encouragement, or giving a genuine smile—can create memorable moments that brighten their day. Many children with disabilities may face daily challenges that make these moments of connection even more meaningful. Our small acts of kindness go a long way in helping them feel valued, included, and supported, building their confidence and encouraging them to explore their potential. It’s incredible how a little bit of extra attention, such as including them in activities, making spaces accessible, or celebrating their unique talents, can make a world of difference. These acts foster a sense of belonging and help break down social barriers, allowing them to feel the same joy and excitement that every child deserves. When we share this message with others, it can inspire a community-wide movement to spread joy and inclusivity. Hashtags like #KindnessMatters, #IncludeEveryone, #JoyOfGiving, #SupportDisabledChildren, and #SpreadHappiness can amplify this cause, reminding us all that little actions have the power to create big smiles. Let’s work together to bring more happiness into the lives of disabled children through kindness and compassion.

Check out this recent podcast interview with CEO, Christina Gravina

There can be a sense of panic around what to say or how to interact when it comes to someone with a disability. We cannot be blamed for the approach of years past – shrouding the community with mystery under the guise that it was polite to just ignore what we did not personally understand. It may have been how it used to be, but it is our responsibility to enact positive change in our interactions. But where do you begin? You don’t want to offend someone, and you’re not sure what questions are okay to ask or what phrases are acceptable. Ever wished there way a way of checking if the terms you used were community-approved? Well… look no further. We consulted the community directly for this one, and put together our findings in your very own guide. Check it out: what NOT to say to disabled people, from disabled people.

Until I read yesterday that Colin Farrell's son, James, has Angelman syndrome I had no idea about the challenges they face. This for me, and for many parents of children with SEN, resonated so much. One of my takeaways after reading was that I wished more celebrities would use their voices to share what life is like. The constant battles. The pain. The joy. The suffering. The desperate need for more understanding and inclusion. The isolation. The desperate need for support. Sharing experiences like Colin has can help others understand disability and create more inclusive and accessible environments. Talking about disability helps break down barriers and creates a more supportive culture for all. If more awareness and understanding was taught in the classroom, talking about disability could become the norm and could help children understand themselves and their peers, and learn to treat everyone with respect and the love and inclusion we all need. Colin's decision to start the Colin Farrell Foundation to aid adult children with similar disabilities is truly commendable. The foundation aims to offer support through advocacy, education, and innovative programs, paving the way for greater independence. It would be helpful to see more celebrity involvement in discussions about life with disabled children, to help break the stigma and foster open dialogues in society. It is crucial to encourage more public figures to share their experiences, as it can lead to the implementation of appropriate support systems, which sadly we are in dire need of. #DisabilityAwareness #Inclusion #ColinFarrellFoundation #AngelmanSyndrome

ONE MORE DAY to register for our first Disabled Realities workshop! Are you wondering how to show up for disabled folks in meaningful and creative ways? Or how saviorism and ableism have impacts laws and opportunities for disabled folks? Join us on Sunday for “We need your help, but we don’t need saviors”! Register at https://lnkd.in/eT8AUuee The Disabled Realities workshop series explores disability and meaningful support from a lived experience perspective rooted in community care, organizing, and activism. Workshop 1: We need your help, but we don’t need saviors An exploration of how to meaningfully help rather than harm through saviorism. The focus is the impacts of perceptions of disability, and the efforts of pre-disabled saviors and white saviorism. We’ll explore alternative, creative solutions. July 14; 8p GMT / 4p ET / 1p PT; 2 hours (will be recorded) Workshop 2: Crip Rage An exploration of our continued resistance through peace and rage, highlighting the Crip movement. We’ll share advice for practitioners on avoiding tone policing, as well as encouraging feeling and expressing rage and anger without repressing it. July 21; 8p GMT / 4p ET / 1p PT; 2 hours (will be recorded)

A busy day with network meetings and advisory groups. The messaging was clear. Access is greatly enhanced when you ‘know before you go’ and when community awareness of disability is high - which comes through education, representation of disability in the media, and the presence and inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of community life. Today, I was fortunate enough to share a project I was able to support through work - the ‘all about me’ booklet and its connection to Cérge. Following that presentation, I listened to people with Lived Experience share how important access information is when attending community events. It amazes me how often it is a low-cost solution to greatly improve access for people with disability. Sneak peek of the before and after of two pages from the ‘all about me’ booklet. In the first design, it is complicated with images and does not have a top to bottom format for information. The second design has removed the images and has group information together in boxes.

LinkedIn analytics tells us that over the past 30 days, our Don't Carry It Alone page has made 12,643 organic impressions, and we couldn’t be more grateful! ?? Since founding this group in 2021, it's incredible to see just how much our community has grown. We’re thrilled that our posts are reaching more people from all over the world, helping to raise awareness about chronic and invisible disabilities. Your support and engagement are what make this movement so powerful! At Don't Carry It Alone, we believe that raising awareness of chronic and invisible disabilities is essential to help people feel less isolated. By continuing to share stories and resources, we’re showing the world that no one has to carry their challenges alone. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we’re making a difference! If you have not already done so, please take a moment to vote in our most recent poll! Results become more meaningful with higher participation. https://lnkd.in/e_Bw5N6V #DontCarryItAlone #AwarenessMatters #CommunitySupport #BuildingACommunity

Do you ever feel alone as a parent of a child with a disability? Do you wonder whether a good future is possible and what it could look like for your child? For your family? Or maybe you have a friend who feels anxious, unsure, and is asking these questions. When our daughter Penny was born and diagnosed with Down syndrome????, our imagination was shaped solely by fear. But over the past eighteen years, through other parents, doctors, therapists, friends, and our faith, our imagination has instead been shaped by possibility. I get it. Raising kids is hard. Raising kids with disabilities seems even harder. That’s why I'm thrilled to offer this four-week workshop in May for families affected by disability as a way to envision and work together toward possibility. By the end of this workshop, you will walk away with: * a new MINDSET toward disability * a larger NETWORK of support and care * a PLAN for taking real steps toward a purposeful, good, connected future I write books and essays, give interviews, speak, and podcast about the path our family has taken. Now I want to connect even more personally with families and share what I’ve learned with you in an interactive setting. Reimagining Family Life with Disability Workshop DETAILS: * 4-Week Online Workshop: Yes, LIVE teaching with me! * Questions: Opportunities each week to have YOUR questions answered * Early Bird Discount: Get over 50% off registration if you register by April 6. If your family is affected by disability, I hope you'll join me and other families who “get it” and are ready to take steps forward. And please SHARE this workshop with your friends, extended family, church community... anyone you know whose family is affected by disability. Let's reimagine family life together! https://lnkd.in/gas8dTqU

Let's all work together to look out for seniors and people with disabilities during these hot months and reduce social isolation and food insecurity. Here's how you can get involved ?? https://lnkd.in/gV55uUDS