An Accessible, Inclusive Holiday Season
The month of December and the approach of a new year is cause for many of us to gather among loved ones to connect and celebrate. While planning holiday festivities, it's important to ensure friends and family members with disabilities can comfortably participate and enjoy themselves. This is an opportunity for collaboration! We encourage you to initiate conversations about accessibility among loved ones and invite input from the people in your life on how to cultivate a season of acceptance and belonging together.
This is a great place to start, too: 10 Tips for Hosting an Accessible Holiday Gathering
We wish you a warm and joyful December and a happy New Year!
Direct Support Professionals Needed!
Noble is hiring Direct Support Professionals! The work of DSPs is crucial to empowering people with disabilities and they play an essential part in creating networks and communities of care and equity for everyone. We hope you will consider this opportunity!
Learn more here.
How Caregivers Can Secure the Future of Their Dependents with Special Needs
Monday, December 11, 2023, 6:30 PM EST
Part of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) Family Support Webinar Series:
Families with children and other dependents with disabilities, no matter their age or disability, face serious questions about how to best prepare for their future well-being. This workshop addresses critical issues such as protecting government benefit eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Special Needs Trusts, ABLE Accounts, and the importance of a will. Taking steps now can help improve a loved one’s well-being today and tomorrow.
Register here.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health of Family Caregivers
Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 11:00 AM EST
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted health disparities experienced by Hoosiers with disabilities. People with disabilities are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and worse outcomes. Their family caregivers felt more pressure to protect the health and well-being of themselves and those with disabilities. The pandemic also caused undue stressors for many family caregivers due to significant changes in their responsibilities. Despite the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, many of the mental health consequences from the pandemic may still remain.
The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University Bloomington is hosting a webinar that will address the findings of a mental health survey and their implications. Dr. Jae Chul Lee at the Institute will provide an overview of the survey results and related implications. A panel of family caregivers will also give insights from their lived experiences.
This free webinar will be held on Wednesday, December 13, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST. Live captioning and sign language interpreting will be provided.
Register here.
Indiana Title V Health Needs Assessment
Open Until Friday, December 15, 2023
The Indiana Department of Health's Maternal and Child Health and Children with Special Healthcare Services Divisions wants to hear from Hoosiers about what you believe are the most important family health needs. Their survey is accepting responses until Friday, December 15. Participants will have a chance to win gift cards for their participation.
Complete the survey here.
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