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Task Force on Human Degradation & Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals in Community-Based Settings

Follow-up to CONNECTIONS 2018 Conference

The Louisiana Deafblind Project for Children and Youth in partnership with the Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program presented the CONNECTIONS 2018 Conference September 14 & 15, 2018 at the LSU Health Sciences Center, Human Development Center.  A total of 210 educational and allied health professionals, education/allied health students, and parents attended across the two-day conference and enjoyed a variety of guest speakers and topics which included featured speakers Dr. Carol Flexor and Dr. Steven Collins. 

Click here to read more and to access links to handouts, photos & videos.

LASARD High School Workshop: Tips and Tools for High School Success

How can we prepare our children or students with ASD for success in high school…not just academically, but also socially and behaviorally? What about preparing them for the challenges of community living?  Connect with other high school educators and family members from across the state as we address these questions.

This workshop, geared to high school professionals and family members, will provide information and strategies for developing classroom supports, teaching self-regulation strategies, writing and implementing functional behavior intervention plans, and exploring relevant resources.  Please make plans to join us!•

• This workshop will be held on November 13, 2018 in Natchitoches and November 15, 2018 in New Orleans. 
• •Registration will be from 8:30 to 9:00, and the workshop will run from 9:00 to 3:00 with a break for lunch. 
• The workshop is free and open to anyone interested until all seats are taken.
•  CEUs will be provided.

Click below for more information and to register for the Natchitoches workshop.

Click below for more information and to register for the New Orleans workshop.

Wilbert Johnson: WILLing to Work

Former HDC PAY Check participant and Rooted in Rights campaign participant Wilbert “Will” Johnson, with help from HDC employee Lauren Griffiths, was featured in a new video from Rooted in Rights in regard to his current work at Audubon Zoo. Please join him and all the HDC staff and former trainees in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October. Observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and advocates for their increased inclusion in America’s workforce.

AUCD Advocacy Specialist Speaks on the Rights of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

C-Span has a clip of Ms. Elizabeth Weintraub, AUCD Senior Advocacy Specialist, speaking at the Supreme Court Confirmation hearing of Judge Kavanaugh on the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4748118/aucds-elizabeth-weintraub-kavanaugh-nomination

SAVE THE DATE: Cleft & Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Interactive Conference

Autism in the Context of Ableism: Culture, Identity, and Quality of Life

Ableism is the systematic discrimination against people with disabilities. It may be reflected through overt actions or through structures, unconscious prejudices or inaccessible systems that prevent the full involvement, inclusion and agency of people with disabilities. In the context of autism, ableism often takes the form of excluding Autistic people from positions of leadership, responsibility and decision-making in autism service-provision, research and policy contexts.

For more information about this event, please click here.

CAC Member Dewain Baldwin Works to Build Connections in New Orleans

Self-advocate and HDC CAC member Dewain Baldwin understands the importance of making connections and having a support network around you. That’s why he co-founded Colorful Connections Nola with a friend in 2017. Dewain describes Colorful Connections as a social group for young adults with autism and other disabilities that strives to be inclusive of all people. The group organizes regular meetups that range from coffee shop meetings to board game and bowling nights. Dewain is passionate about growing the group because it will increase access to fun social events and recreational activities for people with disabilities. The group is open to everyone, and he encourages people without disabilities to come take part in the fun, as well. More information about the group can be found on the group’s Facebook page.

Dewain Baldwin joined HDC CAC in March, 2018. He helps advise HDC and sape its mission and programs. He has a special interest in the Transition, Employment, and Community (TEC) initiatives area. He is also a long-time member of the Orleans Parish People First chapter.

Introduction to ASL/Deaf Culture

Alleviating the Guesswork: Teaching Critical Communication Skills

Do you have students or children who take your hand and push or pull you to indicate there is something they want but you have no idea which thing it could be? Do you find yourself having to guess and often guessing wrong, only adding to the frustration? Being able to ask for a specific item is one of the most basic and critical communication skills for all learners to develop. Critical communication skills are those skills that are essential for day-to-day living and unless mastered, can lead to unexpected and disruptive behaviors. This webinar will discuss 9 critical communication skills, evidence based strategies for teaching them and provide examples of visual supports that can be utilized to support learning and independence.

LASARD Webinars are offered live online via Adobe Connect. These one hour sessions are free and open to anyone interested. 

CEUs are provided to those who are online for the entire hour.