It's September, and students are back on campus. The Institute on Disabilities and our TechOWL program were excited to greet students and offer resources outside the College of Education and Human Development’s New Student Convocation. We connected with students, shared information about our programs, and introduced the campus community to the work we do to promote accessibility and inclusion.
We are looking forward to a great semester!
Sharing resources at CEHD New Student Convocation
Updates
Leadership & Career Studies Orientation
Leadership & Career Studies, the IOD's program for young adults with intellectual disabilities or intellectual and disability and autism, welcomed a new cohort of students to orientation in late August. Welcome, all! We are excited for you to continue your intellectual journey at the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference
Associate Director of Policy Jamie Ray-Leonetti, represented the Institute at the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How conference in Lancaster, PA, in early August. The conference brought together Pennsylvania educators, community partners, families, and youth, focusing on autism, sensory disabilities, and much more.
TIPPS Project Renewed
The Trauma Informed Practice in Preschool Supports (TIPPS) project has been renewed for a 4th year of funding by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Watch our social media for trauma-informed tools and approaches designed to help reduce exclusionary discipline practices, like suspensions and expulsions, that take kids out of preschool.
New IM4Q Cycle
July 1 marked the start of the new Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) cycle. IOD staff and IM4Q technical advisors Mary Kay Cunningham and Guy Caruso provided training to local program coordinators on the Quality Assessment and Improvement (QA&I) process, National Core Indicators (NCI), and training to provider associations about IM4Q and their role in the process.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Families First Sessions this Fall: 9/24 and 10/6
These no-cost learning opportunities are designed for parents of young children receiving early intervention services in Philadelphia. Join us for sessions on Thursday, September 24, and Tuesday, October 6 to improve your communication, relationship, advocacy skills, as well as how every generation can play a vital role in supporting early intervention and education.
Families First: registration and more information
LEND Pitt Advocacy Academy Begin September 29
The LEND Pitt Advocacy Academy (LPAA) is a free virtual advocacy training program for family members and caregivers, adult self-advocates, disability professionals, and university students interested in disability advocacy. Learn about advocacy strategies and effectively sharing knowledge, expertise, and insight from your lived experience. Sessions run on Tuesday evenings from 5 - 7 pm, from September 29 through November 10.
Register for LPAA advocacy training
AAC Lunch and Learn Series Wednesdays in October
Join the TechOWL SLPs this October for a free AAC webinar lunch and learn series! Sessions are scheduled for Wednesdays at noon, ET. Stay tuned for topics and registration.
ASL Game Night October 10
Save the date for the next ASL Game Night at the TechOWL Community Space, on Saturday October 10, from 2:30 - 4:30 pm! We will share a registration link when it becomes available. There will be no ASL Game Night in September.
Wheelchair Visibility Drop-In Event October 26
Join us for a visibility event at the TechOWL Community Space on 1392 Cecil B. Moore on Monday, October 26. Bike accessory manufacturers including Ride Out Supply and Brightz will be on site in support of support wheelchair users safety on the roads and crosswalks of Philadelphia. Event includes:
- Reflective accessories installed for free alongside
- Tune-ups and maintenance support for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
RSVP for the wheelchair visibility event
We Count Disability Voting Rights Webinar
Join the Western PA Disability History and Action Consortium for a free two-hour webinar exploring the history, current challenges, and future of disability voting rights.