In this issue:
- EVENT: Inclusive Arts Vermont inclusive family workshop
- PODCAST EPISODE: 99% Invisible episode: Autism Pleasantville
- WORKSHOP: Engage, Play, Connect: Practical Strategies for Young Children on the Autism Spectrum and their Families
- ADAPTED TOY PROJECT: UVM students are looking for kids 6 years and up to try a new adapted toy.
| 1. Inclusive arts exhibit & family workshop at CDCI |
| Families of children with (and without) disabilities: you are invited to Inclusive Arts Vermont’s free Inclusive Family Art Workshops at Mann Hall! From now through December, Inclusive Arts Vermont has brought “CYCLES”, their 2024 exhibit of art by Vermonters with disabilities to CDCI’s home in Mann Hall, on the UVM campus. Additionally, they are offering an inclusive family workshop on Saturday, December 7th. At the family art workshop, you’ll explore the CYCLES exhibition together, make art, and connect in the gallery space. There will be individual and group art-making options. Whether you play with art all the time or are new to creativity, you are welcome at these inclusive events. Register online to reserve your spot. CYCLES is Inclusive Arts Vermont’s 5th exhibit featuring art by Vermonters with disabilities. The exhibit has traveled around the state this year, starting at the UVM Davis Center, then going to Montpelier, Brattleboro, and St. Johnsbury. Now it is being shown in Mann Hall. The exhibit includes many accessibility features, including verbal descriptions, multiple ways of representing each piece of art, inclusive physical features, and an online audio tour. The CYCLES exhibit and the workshop are supported by the Vermont Family Network, the Vermont Community Foundation, and CDCI. CDCI is proud to be partnering with Inclusive Arts Vermont on making art accessible and inclusive for Vermont families. |
| 2. 99% Invisible: Autism Pleasantville |
| A few years back, journalist Lauren Ober was diagnosed with autism. And she found herself imagining a fantasy world where everything is tailored to Lauren’s very specific autistic needs. And she called this magical imagined place, wonderfully devoid of overwhelming stimuli “Autism Pleasantville.”“Obviously,” Ober notes, “there’s not a one-size fits all diagnosis or even definition of autism … as the autism adage goes: ‘If you know one autistic person…you know one autistic person.’ But despite our wide variety of needs, I wanted to know how design is evolving to better accommodate us” — how were ideals being handled in the real world.”She wanted to know what it looked like to accommodate people with autism and sensory disabilities. And she had recently heard of a certification program meant to highlight when a city is autism-friendly, which in turn brought her to Mesa, Arizona. With the support of city officials, an organization called Visit Mesa rolled out its autism inclusion program for Mesa in 2019. It included itineraries filled with autism-friendly activities in and around the city. Also professional development for folks in all types of industries in Mesa — healthcare, education, hospitality, as well as local government. But is Mesa’s Pleasantville really accessible to people with autism? Lauren Ober went for a visit, and recorded her impressions in this podcast episode for 99% Invisible. |
| 3. WORKSHOP: Engage, Play, Connect: Practical Strategies for Young Children with Autism and Their Families |
| Register HERE. This training is offered at no charge. This 4-part training series is designed for professionals working with children from birth to age 3 with or at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While the primary focus is on toddlers, preschool providers working with children up to age 5 are welcome and will find the strategies applicable to their work. Training Format: • Two full-day, in-person sessions: Participants will explore evidence-based strategies and gain a deeper understanding of how to support young children with ASD and their families. • Two 1.5-hour online case study sessions: Structured full and small group discussions will allow participants to present information about a child from their own caseload. These discussions will help apply the knowledge gained in the full-day sessions to real-life scenarios, enhancing practical understanding. Attendance at all four sessions is required to ensure adequate translation of knowledge to application. Key Areas of Focus: Current understanding of ASD in young children Individualized engagement strategies Play and social interaction Expressive communication (with an emphasis on AAC) Participation in self-care and family routines Participants will gain practical tools and strategies that can be used immediately in their work with young children with ASD. |
| 4. ADAPTED TOY PROJECT A group of UVM bioengineering students have redesigned the Bop It toy for children with neurological impairments. These UVM students are looking for a small group of children 6 years and up to try out this new adapted toy. Testing sessions will take up to 30 minutes, and include both child and parent. The goal is to assess the device’s usability and ensure it meets its intended purpose of enhancing engagement in the rehabilitation process. To sign up please contact Regan Miller at reagan.miller@uvm.edu |
