Community Based Literacy Options for Adults with IDD (OH UCEDD/LEND)

July 13, 2015

Dr. Tom Fish and his colleagues at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center recently received funding to further develop the Jot It Down writing club program. Jot It Down is a community-based writing club that grew out of our experience developing and disseminating the nationally recognized Next Chapter Book Club. Jot It Down (JID) focuses on creativity and self-expression, as opposed to traditional writing instruction. Each week for one hour, four to six adults with disabilities gather with two volunteer facilitators to individually and collaboratively write short stories, poems, blog posts, journal entries, letters, etc. Facilitators are equipped with a variety of tools that may be hi-tech (e.g. electronic tablet), lo-tech (e.g. pen and paper), or no-tech (e.g. oral storytelling). JID members learn such things as parts of speech, how to move a story forward, and how to engage in and contribute to discussions by using their imaginations and a number of simple but enjoyable activities. We are working to develop strategies whereby JID members can, over time and with support from their peers, formulate personal profiles and goals which can subsequently be used to formulate their Individualized Service Plans.

For more information about this program please contact Tom Fish at [email protected] or 614-685-8723.