Monthly Milestones | OCTOBER 2020
The data is clear; people with disabilities can grow increasingly lonely and isolated as adults.

Join this free workshop to be guided in how to create real connections and community with your loved one with an intellectual/developmental disability at the center.
October Series:
Families at the Center of a Connected Community
October 15, 22: 7pm-9pm

Presenters:
Candice Jones-Peelman, Executive Director
Tim Vogt, Director of Mission and Scale
Bridget Vogt, Learning Network
from Starfire
Families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will learn tools and techniques to build a social network into the family’s life in order to reduce social isolation and bring the person with ID/DD and families’ gifts into the community by implementing an engagement project together with other citizens.

Social connection is one of our fundamental human needs and life satisfaction is linked with community connections. Join us weekly as we build on skills to creatively connect to our community (even during COVID-19).
Milestones Free Autism Helpdesk

Need a specific resource? Want to learn more about our services? Contact the Milestones free Helpdesk today.
Milestones Community Calendar


Visit our community calendar to connect with local event organizers to check on the status of events and supports in your area.
How's virtual learning going?

Find practical tips, homeschooling guides, social stories, teacher tools and more on the Milestones COVID-19 HUB web page.

As always, please remember the Milestones free autism Helpdesk is open and ready for your call. Contact 216.464.7600 ext. 200 or fill out an intake form here.
Concerns of An African American Special Needs Mother
"Everything we teach our sons is for survival."

Milestones Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Salina Miller shares what it is like to raise two black sons and to be fearful of them encountering the police. In her role, Salina supports Milestones in providing first responder training to educate law enforcement officers. As we hear about traumatic and sometimes fatal encounters between police and individuals with disabilities in the headlines, you can see just how crucial this work is.
Disparities Experienced By Hispanic Families Navigating Autism
Studies show that Hispanic families encounter more challenges when seeking an ASD diagnosis, treatment and resources. Milestones spoke to a few Hispanic parents and professionals here in Northeast Ohio about the barriers they experienced themselves when learning about ASD, seeking a diagnosis and receiving treatment for their loved ones. They also shared how we can continue to advocate and provide support for Hispanic families.
For the individual with ASD: Join the Online Milestones Autism Self-Advocate Social Group
Milestones has started a social community on Discord -- created and led by self-advocates for self-advocates. Discord is the easiest way to talk over voice, video, and text. Talk, chat, hang out, and stay close with your friends and communities.

In addition to having the group open 24/7 for people to connect, talk about interests, and making friends, we have exciting plans for structured weekly and monthly events. More information about this group can be found on the Milestones website here.

To register you can contact Nathan Morgan (a moderator in the Discord group) at nmorgan@milestones.org.
Voting Resources for Ohioans with Disabilities
It is imperative that individuals with disabilities know they have a right to vote and a right to receive certain voting accommodations. Visit milestones.org for downloadable visual supports and voting information to share with loved ones and friends.

Milestones is proud to have provided consultation to services to both All Voting is Local Ohio as well as the ACLU of Ohio in creating these helpful tools and videos to support adults with disabilities.
It is almost that time again...
Call for Proposals opening next month!
Join us as a speaker is 2021 by submitting your proposal this fall. Autism professionals, family members and self-advocates are all encouraged to apply. All speakers receive a free conference registration including CEUs.

More details coming soon at milestones.org
Join us (don't actually join us) for
The 2020 Campaign for Milestones Families
October - December 2020

Together We Can stay far apart while bringing families closer to essential services.

Details coming soon!
Support Milestones on Amazon Prime Day,
October 13 & 14

Visit smile.amazon.com and select Milestones Autism Resources as your charitable organization. The Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Milestones. It costs you nothing extra to give!

Not planning to shop tomorrow? You can use AmazonSmile every day of the year!