·         What Inclusion Is…and What Inclusion Isn’t.

·         Resources and supports needed to include people with disabilities in    existing activities and programs

·         People are more alike than different:  Looking at Similarities vs. Differences in all people

·         Modifications & Accommodations to consider

·         Overview and ways of acquiring a disability

·         How to communicate with and about people with disabilities

·         People First Language – What is it and how do I use it?

·         How to interact with people with disabilities in specific situations – appropriate and inappropriate actions.  

·         History of People First Language

·         It’s all about the words you choose and the order in which you use them.

·         Words and phrases to avoid / Acceptable words and phrases to use

·         Communication techniques

·         How are brain injuries acquired?

·         What are the effects of traumatic brain injuries?

·         Interaction with people who have brain injuries.

·         Programs and resources available

·         Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

·         Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Other Drugs 

·         FASD and the Brain: How Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Affects Children’s Behavior

·         Early Intervention Strategies for Infants and Young Children Exposed Prenatally to Drugs

·         What is Assistive Technology?

·         Who needs assistive devices?

·         What resources are available locally, regionally, and statewide?

·         Demonstration of some assistive technology devices.

·         What are the milestones by age?

·         What red flags should you look for?

·         How to identify potential developmental delays.

·         What types of interventions are available?

family support, networking, & education

Parent Education Opportunities provide hands-on training opportunities for those involved in the day-to-day care and activities of our consumers.

SibShops:  Accomplished by holding a series of workshops and implementing on-going activities, this project’s primary goal is to increase the availability of peer support and education programs for brothers and sisters of people with special health and developmental needs.  These workshops increase awareness of the unique needs of sisters and brothers and train local parents, siblings, and staff to begin sibling groups (SibShops) in our area. 

Mid-Ohio Valley Down Syndrome Association:  Down syndrome is usually caused when chromosomes don’t split correctly and extra material becomes attached to the 21st chromosome.  That extra material may cause people with Down syndrome to have low muscle tone, difficulty speaking clearly, short stature, heart problems and mild to moderate intellectual and cognitive disabilities.  They can learn lots of things, but it takes longer to learn and it often requires more hands on learning.  Most people with Down syndrome learn to care for themselves and can look forward to a future living in their own home, having a job, lots of friends and many activities in the community.  Comprised of friends and families of individuals with Down syndrome, the MOVDSA accomplishes the following: 

 Ø      Provide “New Parent Packets” to families who have learned their child has Down syndrome

Ø      Coordinate “Mom’s lunches” and family dinners

Ø      Publish a newsletter

Ø      Present a conference with top-notch speakers

Ø      Enable families to attend national conventions to learn more about services for people Down syndrome

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAID)
http://www.aamr.org
Provides research, resources, policy information, effective practice techniques regarding individuals with intellectual, cognitive, and related developmental disabilities. 

The Arc of the United States
http://www.thearc.org
Provides services, research and resources for individuals with intellectual, cognitive, and related developmental disabilities. 

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
http://www.ndss.org/
Provides information, services, advocacy and support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. 

National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)

Wood County Society *LOCAL
Dils Center
521 Market Street, Box 19
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 422-7243, ext. 109
Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Mon. - Fri. 
Service Area: Wood County
Fees: None
Provides a variety of services (including special courses and assistance) to those who are disabled.

WV Assistive Technology System (TechLink) *LOCAL
C/O The Arc of Wood County, Inc.
521 Market Street, #17
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 293-4692
(800) 841-8436 Toll Free
Service Area: Wood and surrounding counties.
Fees: none
Hours of Operation: Open until 5:30 PM Mon.-Fri.
Provides accessibility to assistive technologies for individuals with special needs. 

WV Family Support Program Services
http://www.wvdhhr.org/bhhf/famsup1.asp
Building 6 Room 717
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 558-3295 Charleston Office
(800) 734-2319
Service Area: West Virginia
Fees: None
Hours of Operation: Mon. - Fri. 9 AM- 5 PM
Provides support and services to families who have a family member with developmental disabilities living with them regardless of income or age of person with a disability. 

WV Home Fund (Home of Your Own Initiatives)
Co-Op Initiatives
999 Asylum Ave., Suite 508
Hartford, CT 06105
(860) 724-4940
(304) 624-3641
Service Area: National
Fees: Call for applicable fees
Goal of initiative is for ownership and control directly by the person with a disability.