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training and education program that strives to change knowledge, attitude, and behavior to ultimately improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, and the professionals in their lives.
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Greetings THINK+changers!
Get ready to beat the heat this summer with sizzling, no-cost, disability-focused educational products from THINK+change!
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Use an invaluable TOOL that promotes respectful language and the self-identification of individuals with disabilities: Respect-First Language
From all of us at THINK+change, have a summer filled with adventures and a thirst for knowledge. Stay curious!
Erica Dennison
THINK+change and Programs' Director at The Arc of Aurora
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TALKS
Provocative, in-person or video shorts
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VIDEO STORYTELLING SERIES
Home Away from Home:
Immigration Across the Border and Disability
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Accessibility. Equity. Opportunity. Rights. Inclusion. In the United States, we work hard to uphold and enact these values so that our communities thrive and work for everyone.
Deciding to immigrate to the United States is never an easy choice, especially for people with disabilities. In the TALKS mini-documentary series, Home Away from Home: Immigration Across the Border and Disability, we highlight the intersection of immigration and disability justice. Through the perspectives of a legal expert, a social worker, and two lived experiences, this series delves into the challenges faced by people with developmental and other disabilities, as they navigate the cultural experience and immigration system in the United States.
Why you should watch
- Learn about the high prevalence of disability-related immigration and the various reasons people with disabilities choose to immigrate;
- Gain insight into the significant barriers people with disabilities face in navigating the immigration system;
- Discover the ways in which the immigration process can exacerbate trauma for people with disabilities; and
- Learn about the significant need for advocacy, accommodations, and policy reform in the immigration systems in the United States.
Who should watch
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Advocates and activists, passionate about the intersection of disability and immigrant rights;
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Disability professionals, interested in insights into the unique needs and challenges faced by immigrants with disabilities;
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Legal and criminal justice professionals, working to understand disability accommodations in courts and detention centers;
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Policy-makers, exploring the need for change in our immigration systems;
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Community members, examining a more empathetic understanding of the experiences of immigrants with disabilities; and
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Immigration service providers and social workers.
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Prefer a podcast? This series is also available as a full-length podcast on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Spotify. |
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TRAININGS
In-person or online targeted education opportunities
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PODCAST & VODCAST
Trauma & Developmental Disability
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Being “trauma-informed” is more than just a buzzword! But, what exactly does it mean and why can it be valuable when supporting people with developmental disabilities (DD)?
Being trauma-informed is not just a task or way to approach your work, it is a mindset shift that can improve the quality of life for those you support with DD! In this Vodcast/Podcast, you can learn about the significance of identifying post-traumatic stress responses and avoiding assumptions that the behavior is caused by a disability. Rather than asking “What is wrong with this person”, you will begin asking “What happened to this person”. This shift in perspective serves as the foundational step toward becoming trauma-informed!
Episode 1: How Does Trauma Affect the Brain?
- An overview of trauma;
- The effect of trauma on the brain;
- Healing the brain from trauma;
- How trauma affects the development of the brain; and
- Supporting individuals with IDD who have experienced trauma.
Episode 2: What Does it Mean to be Trauma-Informed?
- The meaning of being “trauma-informed;
- Avoiding diagnostic overshadowing;
- The 6 Principles of Trauma-informed Care;
- Responding to behavioral challenges; and
- Using trauma-informed practices in the everyday lives of individuals with IDD.
Episode 3: Why We Need Trauma-Informed Organizations
- The benefits of being trauma-informed for communities;
- Where to use trauma-informed practices in our community;
- Cultural awareness and bias in trauma-informed work;
- The “3 Cs” of trauma-informed work; and
- Trauma from societal injustice and systemic oppression.
Episode 4: How to Build a Trauma-Informed Organization
- The benefits of building a trauma-informed organization;
- Prep work and initial steps to shift your organization;
- Becoming trauma-informed in your own life; and
- Resources for a trauma-informed lens.
Why you should tune in
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are more likely to experience traumatic events, including mistreatment, abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, and other distressing situations than individuals without disabilities. With such a high prevalence of trauma, adopting a trauma-informed approach in your work can substantially impact individuals with IDD!
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NO-COST ONLINE TRAINING COURSE
Navigating the School Dispute Escalation Process for Youth with Developmental Disabilities
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You are your child’s biggest advocate! We understand that navigating the education system, ensuring that your child's rights are being upheld, and securing the resources they need can be a daunting task. But, we are here to help! This course is here to help you untangle the options you have when there is a disagreement with your child’s school or school district.
Every child in the United States has a right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)! This includes special education, supports, and services for children with disabilities so that they can access and receive the same education as their peers. While these rights are built into several laws in our country, there may be disagreements as to whether they are being implemented correctly.
If you feel like your child is not getting what they need to be successful in school, you have options to address the issue with the school. This course explains the process of escalating a disagreement and focuses on the most important part: finding a solution that is best for your child.
This no-cost, solutions-focused training reviews:
- An overview of educational and procedural rights your child has;
- How the special education system works;
- Best Practices on effectively addressing an issue with the school;
- TOOLS to help you document and communicate;
- Key people to engage;
- The spectrum of escalation steps;
- Outcomes that can result from escalation; and
- State, Local, and National resources available to help.
What to expect
- A 60-minute, self-paced, video slide-based presentation;
- Instructors: Petri Brill, Anna Cafaro, Tom Walsh, Hanni Raley, and Jeff Fernengel;
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Downloadable TOOLS including 504 vs IEP chart, Issue Resolution Flowchart, Super Log, Preparing for Negotiation log, Arc Chapter Map, Glossary of Schooling Terms;
- Closed captioning in English; and a
- Digital Certificate of Completion for entire course achievement.
Who should take this course
- Parents of children with disabilities;
- Professionals who work with children with disabilities; and
- Disability advocacy organizations.
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TOOLS
Tangible educational products
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DOWNLOADABLE PDF
Respect-First Language Guide
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Your words matter! Language spreads, language becomes action, and if we aren't careful- language can truly harm!
Have you ever just wanted someone to give you a “say this, not that” guide to using respectful language? While that would keep things simple, humans and society are not that simple! All people with disabilities are unique, have the right to self-identify, and can have many intersectional identities!
Why you should download this TOOL
Use this guide as a basic foundation to help you understand how language can be used respectfully within the disability community.
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THINK+change has been creating original content for 5 years and our targeted THINK+change catalogs are a way for you to explore our TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS that are specifically tailored to your professional and personal interests in working with individuals with developmental and other disabilities!
Why you should explore
We have over sixty (60) original content-based TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS in one easy place covering topics such as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Special Education, Victimization, Self-Determination, The Americans with Disabilities (ADA), and MUCH MORE!
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Want more information about any THINK+change TALKS, TRAININGS, or TOOLS? Just ask – we'd love to connect. |
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Use any of the below podcast platforms? You can listen to us there too!
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Erica Dennison
THINK+change & Programs Director
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