This and That

In addition to savoring summer sunsets, I've been collecting info this month and last...and decided to share some today. It's a little bit of "this and that" to help you manage "another normal," regardless of where you are in the journey.

*  *  *

First, let's talk about back-to school. It's a time filled with anxiety and sometimes even fear. I recently learned about a few resources to help make it less scary and hopefully a little less hard, too:

What if your child's teacher(s) could leverage AI to reduce administrative demands, strengthen accessibility, and support clear communication with families? This free online course from Microsoft aims to do just then in a simple, straight-forward 15-minute training module. Definitely worth checking out. And If you're an Apple family, here's a comprehensive list of iPad apps that may be useful as the school years gets started. It's divided by grade to be super user-friendly. 

*  *  *

If your child is out of school and you're contemplating a move towards future independence, here's info on a New Jersey-based nonprofit called Cohome, which develops and maintains shared living spaces for residents with and without disabilities. It's an interesting concept created by one family to help solve the challenges of many. They aspire to function more as an inter-dependent community than group home, and they're looking to expand. Learn more HERE to see if this is something you can replicate where you live.

*  *  *

I often get asked for help funding the high cost of living as an adult with disabilities. The ADA National Network's website offers an abundance of information on this important topic, and much more. Check out their one-pager on funding assistance for ramps and assistive technology HERE. Follow them on Facebook HERE. I learn something with every interaction and can't believe how much there still is to learn. Although it's not easy, this organization definitely makes it less hard.

*  *  *

Even though our son is now 30 years old, I still marvel at how challenging it is to empower self-direction. Perhaps that's because building self-direction relies on our ability to build community. This new book from the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities helps explain how and why. It's a good addition to the parenting toolkit and great for educators and human service providers, too. Check out the AAIDD website for many helpful resources.

*  *  *

A caregiver's "job" never ends, and we all need to feel seen and heard in order to sustain the momentum life requires. A new national campaign called One Million Care Conversations aims to do just that by listening to people across the country about what care looks like in their lives: what's working, what isn't, and what it would take for their loved ones to thrive.

I recently completed the 5-minute survey online. You can also leave a recorded message, if that's easier. Check out all your options HERE and help shape a new vision for caregiving in America. Given all we're up against these days, this feels like an easy step in the right direction.

*  *  *

And on those days when you just don't feel like you're doing a great job, remember that practice and mistakes and imperfection = LIFE. (This mantra is getting me through a lot these days.)