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It’s our goal to make this newsletter as accessible as possible. please email us if you are having difficulties or to share suggestions for improvement so that we can be read by everyone!
Este boletín tiene ahora una versión en español. Si usted o alguien que conoce habla español y puede beneficiarse de recibirlo, envíenos un correo electrónico para hacérnoslo saber.
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Happy New Year, Nelson!
Welcome to RIPIN's Self-Directed Support Program's February 2025 newsletter!
The goal of the Self-Directed Support Program (SDSP) at RIPIN is to guide families and individuals in navigating the systems and supports available to them when they choose self-direction. Sharing information in this newsletter is one of the many ways we do this.
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In this month's newsletter, you can:
- Check out our 2025 calendar, and be sure to register for our events!
- Review our other webinars from the past.
- Learn more about our "Self-Direction Connection" and register to attend the virtual session this month!
- Celebrate Library Lovers' Month with us by learning about amazing resources and events in Rhode Island's libraries.
- Get ideas for books to check out and read!
- See what our what our partners are up to this month.
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Review Previously Recorded Webinars | |
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Work Pays! Webinar
On January 28th, benefits counselors from the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities presented information about work incentives and benefits for youth (16-22) who are in high school transition programs. If you attended or registered but could not make it live, you should receive an email with the recording and resources that were shared in an email within a few days. However, you may also access this information and the recording in our webinar library once it is available.
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We house all our past webinars in our library, where you can view them on your own time. Webinars, like the one above, are typically uploaded to the page within a week of their presentation date.
Check out the many topics and resources we have covered and shared with the community. They are full of important information and cover a wide variety of useful topics related to Self-Direction.
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Re-watch our December Webinar! | |
If you missed it during the busy holiday season, go watch our webinar from December, where we interviewed peer mentors doing self-direction from Advocates in Action! | |
What is the "Self-Direction Connection"? | |
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Join RIPIN and the Self-Directed Support team online on Zoom at 6-7 p.m. on February 25th for a continuation of our collaborative and engaging networking session.
This session is designed to continue the conversation about successes and challenges faced by family and caregivers, consumers, and Direct Support Staff (DSPs) who are self-directing.
Help us inform our programming by giving us your ideas for future webinar topics, tools for our self-direction toolkit, and getting together with your peers involved in self-direction, especially as we plan our in-person event(s) in June!
Who Should Attend: Self-Direction Connection is open to individuals who self-direct, family members, caregivers, and direct support professionals interested in building a strong and supportive community around self-directed support. Whether you are seeking advice, sharing experiences, or looking to connect with others, this event is for you.
To secure your spot, please RSVP by February 24th.
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Please note: This session will NOT be recorded out of respect for privacy and to encourage honest participation.
This event is not appropriate for professionals who do not have a direct personal connection to someone doing self-direction.
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Do you love your library? | |
Here at RIPIN, we certainly do! Libraries have so much to offer us and can be a valuable community resource for those who do self-direction, even if reading isn't your "thing." | |
SDSP team members Sue and Laura in the Barrington Library's puzzle section! | |
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For example, you could...
- Attend an arts and crafts event
- Learn how to sew
- Check out or go to a showing of a movie
- Help complete a community jigsaw puzzle
- Attend or host a community meeting for free, such as the meetings our team held last summer for our "On the Rhode with Self-Direction"
- Use the internet
- Read magazines or newspapers
- Look at graphic novels or comic books
- Visit the "Library of Things," where you can borrow tools, games, cameras, etc.
- Check out free museum passes
....and of course, take out all kinds of books, even cookbooks!
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Learn how to get a library card with this link. Once you receive your card, you can use it at any library across Rhode Island and online.
Find information about your local public library by clicking here.
This link will take you to a list of events happening at libraries across Rhode Island.
See what cool resources and experiences your library card can give you access to from the comfort of your own home on this webpage.
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Reading is a life skill that can be taken for granted, but it is an important skill to work on practicing and maintaining. Here are some ideas that can help you find and access books that interest you or someone you know.
Adults working to improve their reading skills may find it hard to find books that are age-appropriate and interesting to them when they struggle with reading. High Interest, Low Reading Level ("High Lo") books may be an appropriate and more enjoyable option. Click here for some suggestions.
Explore the Talking Books program for those who are blind or have print disabilities by clicking here.
Audiobooks can be a great way to access books too! Visit this website for some suggestions. Ask your library about ways you can listen to them for free.
Comics and graphic novels can also be a great way to engage with books! Visit this link for some titles that you can ask your library for.
Click here to see some suggestions for wordless books for all ages that you can look out for!
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Disability Representation Matters! | |
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Books can be a great resource to learn about disabilities and learn from others' experiences and stories. Here are some book recommendations on this theme:
Since Valentine's Day is approaching, you might be interested in this list of Young Adult Romance books featuring main characters with disabilities.
Check out this link with a list of books about disabilities collected by a disability activist.
Books can be a tool to teach children about disability. Here is a list of picture books designed for this purpose.
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Our Team's Book Recommendations | |
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Olga's Pick
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquirel
| Why: This is one of Olga's favorites. There is also a movie based on the book that you can watch. | |
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Jane's Pick
Inside Out: Stories and Poems from an Autistic Mind
by Russell Lehmann
Why: "Russell was a presenter at the DARE To Dream Conference, and he was incredible. My students were shaking their heads in agreement with what he was saying. I bought the book and found it and him inspiring. "
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Laura's Pick
Alex & Me
by Irene M. Pepperberg
Why: "I love reading books about the human-animal bond. We can learn and heal so much about ourselves by connecting with animals. Plus, I've recently become a "'bird lady.'"
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Sharon's Pick
Deceptively Delicious
by Jessica Seinfeld
Why: "Do your family members refuse to eat their vegetables? This book offers recipes for getting them to eat their vegetables...without them knowing!"
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Sue's Pick
Good to Great
by Jim Collins
Why: "From Good to Great is a well-written book that explains and examines business. I like it because the lessons can apply to a small business as well as a very large one."
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Find More Amazing Places in Your Community! | |
RIPIN recently released this interactive online guide with many resources and links to activities, events, places, and ideas you can find in Rhode Island to keep you busy and engaged with your community. | |  |
Libraries are just an example of the many different community resources you may find! | | |
Updates From Our Partners | |
Each month we share updates, information, and upcoming events from our partners below: | |
Save the date for RI's Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference! | |
This year's theme is "Try Everything"! If you've never been to the Self-Advocacy Conference, this is the year to TRY IT!
Stay tuned for more information, but make plans to join us!
Thursday, May 8
10:00 am- 2:30 pm on Zoom
General Sessions, Workshops, Raffles, and More!
Friday, May 9
6:30 pm- 10:00 pm
Conference Dinner Dance at the Providence Marriott
A Delicious Banquet Style Dinner, Dancing, and Raffles!
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Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities
sherlockcenter.ric.edu
On February 26, from 7-8:30pm on Zoom, the Self-Directed Supports Network will have a meeting on the topic of SLA (Shared Living Arrangements). Stay tuned to their website for registration information.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Overview
Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm
Location: Zoom
Register for this event here.
Details: Presented by a certified work incentives counselor, sessions will be of value to individuals receiving SSI or anyone looking for a basic introduction to SSI disability-related work incentives.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Overview
Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm
Location: Zoom
Register for this event here.
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We look forward to sharing more self-directed news with you in March! | |
Founded in 1991, RIPIN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps thousands of Rhode Islanders each year with health care, special education, and healthy aging. RIPIN uses a model of peer professional support—more than three-fourths of RIPIN’s staff are caregivers of a loved one with special health care or special education needs. For more information about RIPIN and its mission, please visit the organization's website at www.ripin.org. | | | | |
