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INTRODUCTION TO MAKING FRIENDS. Resources for Helping People with Disabilities Establish Relationships with Others arcmass.org/ ProgramsatTheArc /WideningTheCircle.aspx. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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INTRODUCTION TO MAKING FRIENDS
Resources for Helping People with Disabilities Establish Relationships with Others
arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/WideningTheCircle.aspx
PURPOSE
This workshop has been developed as part of the DDS-funded “Widening the Circle” project through The Arc of Massachusetts. Its purposes are to help people to:
-better understand the benefits of friendships, essential to ordinary lives.
-explore the variety of approaches that help people with and without disabilities connect with each other and
-learn how they can locate helpful resources.
What Does “Friend” Mean to You?
YOU KNOW YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THE INTERNET WHEN…
You're more up to date with friends whom you've never met than with real friends.
Definition of Friendship
What is a friend? --- We have chemistry! We enjoy each other’s company. We trust, understand, respect and appreciate each other. We like how we feel when we’re together. We are close even when we are apart. We look forward to being together. We commit over some time. We give to each other. We may not give in the same way but what we give and what we receive is of great value to each of us.
What are the Benefits of Friendships?
Friendships Can Protect Your Health
Loneliness is risky!
Loneliness can lead to higher risk of death, sleep problems, raise blood pressure, increase the stress hormone cortisol, increase depression and reduce feelings of living a meaningful life.
Having high-quality relationships with a few people is one of the keys to happiness and longevity!
What are the Obstacles to Friendships?
Opportunities to Connect
Activities for People With and Without Disabilities
http://www.arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/ActivitiesfromArcherytoZumba.aspx
There are opportunities for relationships between
people with and without disabilities
wherever People… Live
LearnWork or
Play!
Live
Learn
http://www.joltdance.co.nz/about.htm
Maximizing Community Connections
Making the Most of Your Time and the Resources in Your Community
Activity
But Sometimes Things are Not as Good as You May Think They Are…
“Preparing” People for Relationships
“A Tale of Two Bridges” Jack Yates
“Preparing” People with Disabilities
Many organizations offer some sort of Social Skills Training to people with a variety of disabilities and at all ages.
“Preparing” People Without Disabilities
(dis)Ability Awareness Programs
Volunteer readers with age-appropriate books. (Icare: www.thejamiefund.org)
Activities with puppets with disabilities. (Kids on the Block: www.kotb.com
Volunteer visitors with disabilities to classrooms.
(www.understandingourdifferences.org)
“Everyone Needs Friends NOW!” Tom Doody
No one should have to pass some sort of “test” before they are “eligible” to be supported to
meet others and establish relationships.
“Every Chipmunk is a Horseback Rider” Jack Yates
Support May be Needed for Relationships to Develop
Opportunities to Connect and Preparation Still May Not be Enough
Some Approaches use
Person Centered Planning
Thoughtful, personalized planning may be the key to ensuring that relationships and friendships are
deeply embedded in the lives of people with disabilities.
Personal Advocacy & Lifetime Support (PALS)The Arc of MA
https://www.arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/PALS.aspx
Building Futures(http://www.nemasketgroup.org/services.php#toggle_b
uilding)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6ZLhSSEoKw&feature=player_embedded
Intentional Friends Project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLHvL5efl0&feature=youtu.be
Some Approaches use Groups and Associations to Help Relationships Begin
For many people, there is comfort in groups. With support and intention, individual
friendships can be developed from relationships that begin as part of a club,
class, team, association, organization or other group.
Friends are Critical in School!Real Pirate PrideHull High School
Best Buddieswww.bestbuddiesmassachusetts.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zC89ipkdGg
Cultivating Friendships Through Horticulture
Coastal Connections
Bridges to Faith(www.bridgestofaith.org)
Interfaith Connections([email protected])
http://vimeo.com/24737555
UNIFIED SPORTSSpecial Olympics
(http://www.specialolympicsma.org/get-involved/as-an-athletepartner/)
Club 21Alternatives Unlimited
Some Approaches Begin with
1-to-1 Matches to Establish Friendships
Often times successful friendships are made through approaches that intentionally bring 2
people together, usually--but not always--based on shared interests.
Both parties can benefit greatly from matches like this (Big Brother/Big Sister: www.bbbs.org)
OR THIS:(Partners for Youth with Disabilities
http://www.pyd.org/)
Citizen Advocacy(www.nqca2012.org)
Community of Friends Beta Community Partnerships:
www.betacomm.org
How to Find or Create a Program Near You
More Resources
Your Local DDS-Funded Family Support Center (http://www.disabilityinfo.org/mnip/db/tacr/OfficeByAgency.aspx?id=21 )
Your Local Chapter of The Arc (www.arcmass.org)
Your Closest Chapter of MA Network of Information Providers(http://disabilityinfo.org/Resources/MNIP/members/)
Index (www.disabilityinfo.org)
Widening the Circle Websitearcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/WideningTheCircle.aspx