There are three remaining summits sponsored by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD). The Agency is seeking input on the following questions:
- What do children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) need to live happy lives with their families?
- What do adults with IDD need to live meaningful lives in their communities?
- What do seniors with IDD need to live long, healthy lives in their homes?
ADD oversees the programs created by the Developmental Disabilities Act:
1) Protection and Advocacy Systems (P & As)
2) Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils)
3) University Centers for Excellence in Development Disabilities (UCEDs)
4) Projects of National Significance
12 comments:
This invitation sounds interesting. But will only comment on it, not register to present. My comments will be very simple and they come from observations that I have made throughout the years of career that I have. I believe that in order for someone to live happy they need to be nurtured by the caregiver. It will not matter if there are disabilities or not. I have a cousin that has IDD, he has Down syndrome, and he is very happy. His mother and one of his sisters are always there for him. He feels very secure with them, and he transmits it. In order for someone to live a meaningful life in the community; the community needs to provide for the needs of these persons. Provide and understand the needs and be caring. Independent living would be the key for aging people. Again providing for any needs and having someone that will be there for them in case they need anything.
By Matilde Barrera Alaniz
This is an excellent initiative to invite people to participate in issues related to individuals with IDDs. We know that disabilities are socially constructed. Therefore, the participation of the public is very important to promote the integration of people with IDD into mainstream society.
I. Corbi
I think all children need love, support, and a sense of belonging from their family. It is vital for the child with (IDD) to feel loved at all times and nurtured by their caregivers, this will help them feel encouraged. The family needs to show support in all areas of the child’s life. For example, the family needs to be involved in the child’s educational development to give positive reinforcement. As long as the family continues to be supportive in all phases of the child’s life there is no reason why the child cannot have a happy life with their family. Adults with (IDD) need professionals to advocate for them in independent living and the community can also provide the resources needed to help with their activities of daily living. For example, when people within the community are willing to work together and make resources more affordable and available people with (IDD) can be better served. Seniors with (IDD) would need the same available resources and a strong family support group available to them when staying either at a nursing home or at their home with their caregiver. Overall I think that this population will benefit from family support and a caring environment.
This is an interesting blog posing some interesting questions. The three questions have complex answers. Each individual is unique and possesses unique needs. If there was a simple response to these questions I would imagine that there would not be a need for holding three conventions in three different metropolitan areas around the U.S. It looks to be a step in the right direction that the ADD is seeking input on these vital questions.
I am greatfull that the ADD is seeking input from the public. I managed to come across some of the comments and goals that Sharon Lewis, commissioner for the Administration of Developmental Disabilities, has addressed to the public. Her views on impoving the quality of life for persons with disabilities is positive and encouraging. In my opinion, I see that the biggest obstacle we have in supporting the equality of life for persons with disabilities is community involvement. TEAM-Together everyone achieves more.
Well this is a great opportunity for individual to get involved and really spread their piece of mind regarding IDD. I work for a company that deals with individual that has intellectual development disabilities and it’s great. The family’s we deal are so much involved in their kid’s lives that you wouldn’t believe that the client even has a problem. The parents make sure that their child is very happy and that their needs are always met. As per our adult clients we try to find them a job within our community so that they don’t feel left out and feel they have a responsibility to themselves.
This is a great opportunity that the Administration of Developmental Disabilities is providing to the community. I believe that professionals in the rehabilitation field, should not only focus in providing tools to succeed in life but to take a step further and finding in depth what are the factors that enhance and promote a healthy happy within population with intellectual and developmental disorders.
Alinka Del Castillo
It is definitely great to see that the ADD is reaching out to the community for their input. What better way to organize and structure such topics than by asking for the voice of the community. Disabilities are socially constructed and first hand advice or input should be greatly taken into consideration. Most often than not people sometimes are just not as understanding as we would like them to be, but this should definitely aid in overcoming such obstacles and misinterpretations.
Support will always be a great help. There are many people who are diagnosed with an intellectual disability and continue to live either in group homes or with their partners. As children, I believe that continued education, speech and occupational therapy will be necessary to ensure that a person will know what to do or how to handle certain situations. High functioning individuals can still live their lives with minimal support. From what I have seen many people with intellectual disabilities continue to live with their parents for many many years as they become better acquainted to others in their communities. Relationships that they maintain with neighbors are beneficial when living by him/herself. When saying “meaningful” well, that is debatable as to what that term means to each individual. When it comes to seniors, there is more care that is necessary due to possible medical conditions, ADLs may need assistance and maybe medication dispersing will be needed.
I am pleased to know that someone out there is putting an emphasis on meaning of life specifically for people with ID's or DD's and what rehab counselor or anyone working with them can do to help put emphasis this to this aspect of a person's life as well. It seems that we get so caught up sometimes trying to make sure that the person's medical and physical needs as well as checkups, treatments, medication routines, education or Independent living skills are imporving the lives of these people but forget to ask them what's most meaningful to them. It may not be sitting at a doctors office for 5 hours it may just be enjoying the company of their loved one's or what not, but every person has their own definition to whats meaningful for them. After all, it is their life and as counselors we should allow theses individuals to speak for themselves.
Heather
It seems that the Administration of Developmental Disabilities is on the right track with surveying about living with their own families, in their own communities and their homes. They are also reaching out to children, adults and seniors. I think how to live happy, meaningful, long and healthy lives are probably the concerns that family members of people with developmental disabilities worry about. I'm glad this organization is taking the initiative to address all these concerns all together to offer some comfort to the family members of people with developmental disabilities by gather all this knowledge for them. A summit like this one is probably rare and should be embraced by everyone as it serves to empower individuals with developmental disabilities.
Individuals providing testimony at one of the regional events are asked to participate, as part of the community these testimonies will help by knowing how can I help children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have a happy live? Or how can I help their families to provide them at least with their basic daily needs? I want to know what other have to say in regarding their personal experiences.
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