RECREATION
7/24/2023
AIR-P Cureus Channel
AIR-P is excited to promote and share our recently launched Channel on Cureus, Autism and Health: Across the Lifespan. https://www.cureus.com/channels/airp# We are seeking research and commentaries that share AIR-P's mission to support innovative life course intervention research that promotes optimal health and well-being of autistic individuals across the lifespan.
7/19/2023
Iowa's National Summer Transportation Institute Promotes STEM Careers for Youth
"Is this Heaven?" No, it's the Iowa National Summer Transportation Institute (INSTI)! The Center for Disabilities and Development, Iowa's UCEDD, recently hosted the third annual INSTI STEM summer camp. For the first time, INSTI was held residentially this summer. Seventeen middle-school-aged campers from all around the state, girls and boys including seven with disabilities, stayed in a University of Iowa residence hall during the two-week camp session. Campers learned a lot, played a lot, and got some insight into future career opportunities.
2/15/2023
The Inclusive Dojo: HDI training supports martial arts instructors in transforming training spaces
Darrell Mattingly, computer specialist at HDI, developed HDI's Adaptive Martial Arts training course, which teaches martial arts instructors about disability etiquette, universal design and how to adapt their teaching to be inclusive of students with disabilities. Mattingly serves as president of the Adaptive Martial Arts Association, which offers further resources for both students and instructors.
11/29/2022
UK HDI Fund for Excellence Award to fund Bluegrass Mountain Biking Accessibility Initiative
Kentuckians will soon have access to an adaptive mountain biking trail, thanks in part to an internal grant funded by the UK Human Development Institute. The trail, to be built by the Kentucky Mountain Biking Association, will be designed with the interest of people with disabilities at the forefront, prioritizing input and feedback from trail users with disabilities.
11/28/2022
The Maine LEND Family Picnic
Food and friendly fun were themes of the 2022 Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Family Picnic held at the Portland Campus of the University of New England on September 24. The picnic has been an annual LEND event with the goal of supporting families in the community and spearheading Family-Led partnerships which are integral to the training program.
9/19/2022
IDS Staff Members Participate in World Series of Wheelchair Softball
The Institute for Disability Studies offers a variety of year-round adaptive recreation and sports programming, including Quidditch, wheelchair basketball and tennis. Recently, two staff members, Sylvester Crosby and Robbie Sullivan, joined their Deep South Hurricanes teammates to represent Mississippi in the 2022 Wheelchair Softball World Series (WSWS) August 4-6 in Crestwood, Illinois.
10/11/2021
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center TRIAD Program Partners With Zoological Association to Develop 'Inclusive Communities of Science'
The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's (TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) is collaborating with Oregon State University's STEM Research Center and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to support the Modeling Zoos and Aquariums as Inclusive Communities of Science (MoZAICS) project.
7/16/2021
Nisonger In 'Sights' Photo Contest
The Nisonger In'Sights' Photo Contest first began in 2014 as a way to help increase positive images of individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities and their families. Since then, with themes varying from 'at work' , 'technology' and 'families'; we've received over 500 photos and been able to use them in a multitude of settings and variety of media including our website, facebook page, and various promotional, educational and research materials - THANK YOU!
5/7/2021
The Cicadas are Coming - Social Narrative
The cicadas are coming if they are not here already. This social narrative talks about what to expect with the cicadas and how to deal with them.
2/25/2021
New Postsecondary Education Program: Horticulture Options in Plant Sciences (HOPS)
The HOPS Project is a two semester (approximately 32 weeks) training program whose purpose is to provide instruction and support individuals with disabilities to gain the necessary skills and experiences in work readiness in order to successfully transition into competitive integrated employment in the horticulture industry. Students have the option to become certified on the state/national level.
2/22/2021
2021 Disability Policy Seminar
April 19-22, 2021 - A Virtual Event
The Disability Policy Seminar offers the opportunity for passionate advocates, self-advocates, experts, and professionals in the field to come together and learn about key issues that affect them most. After two days of training and learning, attendees head to Capitol Hill for a day of meetings with their Members of Congress.
4/13/2020
Building Mental Health Muscles in Special Olympians and Bridging Learning Opportunities for Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Trainees
A Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) partnership with Special Olympics Tennessee and the Strong Minds program teaches athletes coping strategies to reduce stress while providing trainees with hands-on learning opportunities.
4/1/2020
COVID-19 Public Health Webinar Series
Join us for this 4-part webinar series, as we review what we currently know on disability inclusion as it relates to this emerging issue. Each session will be 75-minutes.
2/19/2020
MMI, Special Olympics Nebraska Team on Program
The Munroe-Meyer Institute and the Special Olympics Nebraska team for the Young Athletes Program.
12/18/2019
Building an Autism Friendly Hospital: How we started, what we have accomplished, and where we go from here
Authors: Belinda O'Hagan, MA; Coral Bays-Muchmore, BSc; Alexander Friedman, MPH; Lauren Bartolotti, MA; Shari King, MA MPH
Hospital visits can be particularly challenging for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) if their unique communication, sensory, and safety/behavioral needs are unaddressed1,2 (Figure 1). This is especially concerning as individuals of all ages with ASD have been found to have higher rates of various medical conditions, and are thus subject to higher healthcare utilization and costs3-6.