21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions

Planting the Seeds of Success in Supported Employment

  For quite some time, I have been wondering like many of you just how we can jump start supported employment for people with disabilities. Some states have more job placements than others but search for jobs with more hours and financial reward for the supported employee. Other states find their efforts languishing on a […]

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#4 Strategy for Using Old School Ways to Embrace New World Rehabilitation Realities…Creativity

Creativity Maybe the Last Strategy for Using Old School Ways to Embrace New World Rehabilitation Realities….but it might just be the best one. You are a self-reliant person with  know-how and ideas. You are surrounded by a great team and community. So good, so far. But, one thing is missing:creative ways to execute your great

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#3 Strategy for Using Old School Ways to Embrace New World Rehabilitation Realities…Community Partnerships

Once upon a time, communities were closed to people with disabilities. Steps and curbs prohibited people with mobility challenges, like my daughter Mikelle, from accessing transportation, government buildings, entertainment venues and market places. It didn’t stop there. The doors to regular education were closed tight for all, but typical children. Access to housing and employment

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Ideas Change Systems. The #2 Old School Way to Embracing New World Realities

#2 Great Ideas The future for both education and adult rehabilitation systems lies in you, in the beautiful grey matter in your head. Questions and challenges lead to problem solving and ideas which then lead to changing systems. People with disabilities left institutional care because groups of parents across the country did not want to

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What’s the #1 Old School Strategy for Negotiating New World Rehabilitation Realties?

“I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.” Pearl S. Buck # 1. Self-reliance My daughter, Mikelle and I serve on several boards, commissions, committees and councils focused on the future on rehabilitation and special education services. We are

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Can Old School Ways Help Us Embrace New World Rehabilitation Realities?

“One faces the future with one’s past.” Pearl S. Buck So, how’s the IEP (or any other planning) process treating you? Are you excited for the annual meeting or have you been dreading it for weeks? Do you ever really get what you want from an IEP? Most likely your answer is both yes and

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Who Knew Change Requires Teamwork? A Lesson Learned

In 2007, the use of an online calendar to keep organized made most go “HUH?! – I have a print calendar and agenda right here. It is with me all the time. Why would you make me change the way I do things?” The answer arrives with one word: collaboration. Mikelle Learned’s Fantastic Roommate Team,

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Getting the Most from Assistive Technology: Using the ECO for Texting

Like most people, Mikelle Learned loves to stay in touch using her cell phone. What used to work was calling her friends, support team members and family using her ECO to chat or leave a voice mail. It was a good use of her  assistive technology enabling her to  fully participate  in her social network until

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Texting With Words For Life And Text Plus App

What once looked like an expensive blank slate, void of the traditional programs typically loaded on desktop and laptop computers; Mikelle’s iPad has become populated with effective and inexpensive applications. After a somewhat lengthy discovery process, we have found two applications, which Brian Simms, her speech and language therapist, helped Mikelle learn to use. They

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