Hello, All! According to our calendar, this week, the week of August 4 through the 11 is International Assistance Dog Week! In light of that, we thought a blog post about the subject of assistance dogs would be appropriate. The idea of me getting a service dog was not mine to begin with, although I… Read more »
College Support Programs for Students with Autism
During the summer, parents begin preparing to send their young adults off to college. With 1 in every 59 children in the United States now being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more and more colleges and universities across the country are opening their doors and tailoring their… Read more »
Qualities I Look for in a Direct Support Professional and Other Information
Many times, I am asked, what is a direct support professional (DSP)? A DSP is someone, usually over eighteen, who is hired to provide individualized support to a person with disabilities. This support may be extensive or light in nature and can include tasks such as assistance with self-care skills like dressing, brushing teeth, and… Read more »
Speaking from a Personal Point of View
I am most commonly asked to speak to parents and professionals or college students interested in working in fields where they will likely serve children and adolescents with disabilities. Audiences typically ask to hear about my personal experiences living with disability. I try to make my speaking engagements very personal because I want to leave… Read more »
Are Businesses That Aim to Employ Mainly People with Disabilities Good or Bad?
Every year, CNN broadcasts a special called “CNN Heroes” honoring ordinary people doing work to help others. The public can vote for their favorite CNN hero at CNNheroes.com. Whichever hero earns the most votes will be named CNN Hero of the Year during a live broadcast on CNN December 9, 2018, at 8:00 p.m. Last… Read more »