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Inside InformationSpring-Summer 2008 Contents:
Breaking the "Glass Staircase"David Mitchell, new executive director of the Institute on Disabilities, wants to make university environments more accessible to people with disabilities. After an exhaustive, nationwide search, the Institute on Disabilities will welcome a new Executive Director—David Mitchell, PhD will begin his tenure on July 1, 2008, upon the retirement of Diane Nelson Bryen, PhD, Executive Director at the Institute for more than 17 years. Dr. Mitchell, who most recently served as the first permanent director of the PhD program in Disability Studies at the University of Illinois-Chicago, was selected from many distinguished leaders, educators and researchers. One of his primary objectives will be to expand Temple University's Disability Studies to a full degree program. Currently, if you're interested in pursuing a doctorate in Disability Studies, University of Illinois-Chicago and the University of Leeds (in England) are among the few places that offer a program. "The goal is to grow Disability Studies at Temple into the most significant and influential home for Disability Studies in the United States," Dr. Mitchell said. Doing that will require a holistic approach, says Mitchell, who has written books on disability and the humanities. While Temple has been a more accessible campus to people with disabilities than most, a sea change is necessary for the university overall, Mitchell said. "The university environment in general has been a glass staircase," he said. "Disability Studies was created to infuse the university with opportunities for people with disabilities and to bring to them the realization that we share a public space." Among the ways that this public space has been shared is through the creation of Institutes on Disabilities, like the one at Temple. Mitchell praised his predecessor, Diane Bryen, for making the Institute what it is today, adding that he doesn’t see it changing much. "We will continue to reach out to the community, to professionals and service providers alike with training and education, technical assistance, information, research and service with the same energy and focus." Mitchell has done much of his work with his wife, Sharon Snyder, a faculty member at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He has two children, Cameron,16 and Emma,12. Diane Nelson Bryen Awarded Distinguished AchievementNovember 14, 2007, Washington, DC: Diane Nelson Bryen, PhD, of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, Pennsylvania's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities received the 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Annual Meeting and Conference. The award is the highest accolade presented by AUCD and is given to individuals or organizations making distinguished lifetime contributions to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Dr. Bryen, well-known for her advocacy, scholarship and service, has a long record of academic accomplishments that focus on "making a difference" for and with people with disabilities and their families. She has devoted her life to serving people with disabilities, and does it not as a job but as a calling. Program Focus: "Technical Assistance"One of the core functions of the Institute on Disabilities is to help find answers for individuals, professionals, organizations, service providers and educators. Technical assistance, as such, is a part of virtually every project at the Institute. Projects that feature technical assistance as a main objective include: Independent Monitoring for QualityFunded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) is a statewide initiative that provides individuals who receive mental retardation services a means to assess their quality of life. The Institute, along with interested stakeholders, developed the program. Qualified university affiliated researchers from the Institute provide technical assistance and training to universities, community-based providers, families, people with disabilities, and local, state and federal government. They develop the protocol and guidelines for program operation and serve on statewide committees to assure continued collaboration among the various entities. The Institute’s technical advisors provide periodic review and revision of the survey and analyze the data to produce statewide reports. Quality Management InitiativesInstitute staff are involved in a variety of quality management initiatives including assisting providers at the local level by evaluating data for developing quality improvement plans. This helps agencies to blueprint improvements for provided services and supports. At the statewide level, staff provide technical assistance to the Office of Developmental Programs on how to develop action plans to effect change at the state and local level based on IM4Q data. Institute staff were instrumental in developing the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) which has become the mechanism for accessing services in the mental retardation system. The PUNS examines needs of individuals and determines at what point services and supports will be needed. Systems based on PUNS have been developed in at least four other states. Supported Leadership FacilitationLeadership facilitators provide direct supports to individuals with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate in boards and committees. Institute staff also advise boards and committees on how to meaningfully include those individuals—how to make meetings accessible to individuals, how to prepare materials in accessible formats and how to conduct meetings in ways that include the perspective of individuals with disabilities. The Pennsylvania Training Partnership for People with Disabilities and Families"The Partnership" provides training and technical assistance in navigating the mental retardation system in Pennsylvania. Through one-to-one sessions, family gatherings and mentoring, individuals have the opportunity to get knowledge and guidance in developing strategies for improving their lives and the lives of others. Information is also delivered via email, phone and informational brochures. Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative CommunicationThe Institute provides technical assistance through the Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) to help individual support teams consider ways that AT will help a child and family reach specific goals and outcomes, and to build team capacity in identifying and implementing AT solutions. The Institute can help an individual through device repair, funding, and locating services for evaluation and/or therapy. Staff can help identify resources and opportunities available to people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices. Using qualified speech-language pathologists, the Institute conducts Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments, for individuals with disabilities with complex communication needs who are served by Mental Retardation Services of Philadelphia. Finally, Institute staff members provide technical assistance to many organizations and boards throughout the year. Message From The Director
I leave the Institute in strong and capable hands. I also transfer the leadership role to an outstanding scholar and leader, Dr. David Mitchell. Under Dr. Mitchell's leadership, I have no doubt that the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University will continue to work towards achieving our bold vision of building a just society. Diane Nelson Bryen, PhD Professor and Executive Director Our VisionA society where all people are valued and respected, and where all people have the knowledge, opportunity and power to improve their lives and the lives of others. Our MissionThe Institute on Disabilities leads by example, creating connections and promoting networks within and among communities so that people with disabilities are recognized as integral to the fabric of community life. DONORSMany thanks to our friends listed below for supporting the Institute on Disabilities and our special funds... Institute on Disabilities
Friends of ACES
Assistive Technology Lending Library
Academy for Adult Learning: "Growing Pains" to GraduationOn May 14, the 2008 class of the Academy for Adult Learning (AAL), an initiative of the Institute on Disabilities will graduate from the program after four semesters on the main campus of Temple University. Kathy Miller, Assistant Director of Training at the Institute on Disabilities and AAL project manager says "This year has been very satisfying for us at the Academy.As is the case with all new programs, we had some ‘growing pains’ during our first year, but the students are wonderful and have exceeded our expectations!" The AAL , funded primarily by Mental Retardation Services in Philadelphia, provides an introduction to college for selected Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities, helping to familiarize them with college life and assist them in building skills needed for a successful transition to the adult world. Students learn to apply lifelong learning to career success. After reviewing applications in spring and summer, AAL staff select 10 individuals as AAL students—to take classes, go to sporting and other events, participate in student organizations and become part of the university community. Students also attend weekly seminars, which feature guest lecturers from Temple. Mentors, selected from a large group of Temple student applicants, are carefully paired with participants. Titania Boddie, AAL Program Coordinator says, "This year, our mentors quickly acclimated to the program and developed great relationships with the students and with each other!" "It became a real team environment, as we had imagined when we created the program," Ms. Miller says. Career development, self assessment and exploration are important parts of the program. Students identify what they bring to the workplace. Skills, interests, values and work personality are explored. "Students spend time researching careers and this year we are very excited that all 10 students were placed in internship positions at Temple, based on their career selections." Recruitment for the Academy for Adult Learning 2008-2010 has begun. Interested in participting or mentoring? Call 215-204-1356 or log on to the website, www.disabilities.temple.edu. Website NewsThe Institute on Disabilities' website, www.disabilities.temple.edu, is the first at Temple University to include a video featuring a person using American Sign Language. The video introduces the Telecommunication Device Distribution Program and answers frequently asked questions about the program. Funding NewsThe Assistive Technology and Employment Collaborative, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, has been awarded to the Disability Rights Network. The Institute is a key partner in training employers and developing the Collaborative to identify and address barriers to employment and their resolution through assistive technology. The project began on March 1, 2008. Upcoming EventsFor updated information on trainings and other events, visit the Institute's online calendar. The Pennsylvania Training Partnership for People with Disabilities and FamiliesFor information on trainings for self-advocates and families in Pennsylvania, log on to The Partnership website at www.TheTrainingPartnership.org. Suggestions or Comments About Our Newsletter?Contact Susan Fullam, Dissemination Coordinator, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University: sfullam@temple.edu. Available in alternate formats, upon request. Para información en español: 215-204-9348 o por correo electrónico al latino@temple.edu Institute on Disabilities at Temple University |
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It is with mixed feelings that I write this last message as Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities. While I look forward to the next phase of my life having a bit more control over how I will use my time, I also face the difficult task of stepping down as Executive Director of the Institute. These past 17 years have been challenging but amazingly rewarding. I have worked with an extraordinarily gifted and diverse staff at the Institute. Colleagues and friends from across Pennsylvania and at "sister" centers across the nation have been supportive of our work, challenging us to live up to our bold vision and mission.