New Year, New You: Three Options to Connect with Your Community and Create More Meaning in Your Life
January 20, 2021 –Community participation is an important part of living a happy, meaningful life. We all need to feel connected to our community, to feel like we belong. Here are a few ideas to keep your loved one active and engaged with the outside world.
Taxes for People with Disabilities – Where to Start
January 13, 2021 – As parents and guardians of people with disabilities know, there are many nuances in U.S. tax law that provide significant tax relief for people with disabilities and those who care for them. That’s why we put together this brief guide to help you get started navigating this year’s tax landscape
New Year, New You: Health and Wellness for Your Loved One
January 7, 2021 – Many of us, especially at this time of year, fall back on the adage “eat less and exercise more” as we make New Year’s resolutions to improve our health. New research tells us it’s not that simple. If eating less and exercising more isn’t the answer, what is? Here are a few tips and a comprehensive toolkit to help you and your loved one with I/DD make choices for a healthier life.
Our 2020 Year in Review
December 30, 2020 – This year has unquestionably been one for the record books, as 2020 brought with it new and unforeseen challenges. But while it would be easy to reflect on all the difficulties of 2020, it’s important to remember all the beautiful things that happened this year too.
Looking forward to a vaccine, and some kind of normal
December 23, 2020 – Bethesda Disability Advocate Kurt Rutzen reflects on the past year and praises the rollout of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that could help us all get back to normal in the coming New Year.
Top 9 Happy Holiday Tips for People with Disabilities and Those Who Love Them
December 17, 2020 – The holidays are a time of joy and even though we might be celebrating the holidays a little differently this year, they can still be a time of stress.
Your advocacy is needed to ensure vaccine priority
December 10, 2020 – After many months of the coronavirus pandemic, safe and effective vaccines are now becoming available. Learn how you can help ensure people with disabilities and direct support professionals are given priority for vaccine distribution.
Prevent identity theft to avoid headaches
December 3, 2020 – People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are just as likely to be targeted for identity theft as anyone else. Read the facts about identity theft and what you can do to protect your loved one.
What is self-advocacy and what does it look like in practice?
November 19, 2020 – We hear the term “self-advocate” a lot, but what does it really mean to be a self-advocate?
New ABLE Act Guidance Makes It Easier for You to Help Your Loved One with IDD Save for a Rainy Day
November 13, 2020 – Helping your loved ones with IDD save for future needs without affecting eligibility for critical programs is now a real possibility for many families and guardians.
Why People with Disabilities Should Be Given Employment Opportunities
October 30, 2020 – Here are the facts about employment for people with disabilities today and how integrated community employment benefits everyone involved.
Bold New Housing Options for People with Disabilities
October 16, 2020 – Levels of independence vary widely among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Your loved one might seek independence, but not be prepared for the responsibility.
Understanding your rights as a disability voter
October 6, 2020 – Voting is at the heart of who we are as Americans and no citizen should be left out of the process because of a disability. Here are three of the most basic and fundamental rights as a voter with a disability.
Employment: Access and Opportunity for People with Disabilities
September 30, 2020 – Though National Disability Employment Awareness Month is celebrated in October, increasing access and opportunity to employment for people with disabilities should be something to strive for all the time. A diverse workforce including people with disabilities is good for business.
Education Considerations and Resources for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
September 11, 2020 – Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) have several options when it comes to adult education. There is no universal, one-size-fits-all solution, and choices vary state-by-state.
Five Tips for Guiding your Loved One with a Disability through the Dating World
September 2, 2020 – When your loved one with a disability starts looking to get into the dating world, not only do they have questions, but you have questions as well. Amidst these concerns, parents and guardians of people with disabilities should still be the primary educators when it comes to love and relationships.
Eight Tips for Dating with a Disability
September 2, 2020 – When it comes to dating, people with and without disabilities approach this stage of relationships with many of the same questions, doubts, fears and hopes. We are all human and want to be seen as our whole self and not be scrutinized by our segments.
Can Pet Therapy Help People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities?
August 21, 2020 – Who doesn’t appreciate a happy-go-lucky retriever? Their smiling and friendly countenance, calm demeanor, love for people and affinity for work make them a popular therapy animal.
The Benefits of an ABLE Account for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
August 12, 2020 – For most people, federal stimulus payments have provided a welcomed and much-needed injection of funds during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
Urgent Support Needed for the Disability Community – and You Can Help
August 5, 2020 – People with intellectual and developmental disabilities—and essential workers who support them—need your voice now more than ever.
Four Ways to Celebrate 30 Years of the Americans With Disabilities Act
July 24, 2020 – Those that were born after July 26, 1990 have grown up in a world knowing that equal rights regarding disabilities is a guarantee, not just a promise.
Nutrition Tips for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
July 21, 2020 – It’s widely understood that proper nutrition supports general wellness and disease prevention. But nutrition also impacts speech, motor skills and much more.
How to Help People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Next Coronavirus Aid Package
July 14, 2020 – People with intellectual and developmental disabilities—and essential workers who support them—need your voice now more than ever. We must ensure that the disability community receives vital support from this aid package. You can help!
Eight Tips to Ensure a Safe Independence Day Celebration During the Pandemic
July 2, 2020 – A month ago, it seemed the United States was on the road to recovery. States and counties started lifting some safer-at-home restrictions, enabling people to socialize in the community. Today, we find the road to recovery is longer and more arduous than any of us realized.
Social Stories for People with Disabilities
June 24, 2020 – Some of the word’s earliest communications relied on icons and pictures to tell a story and communicate information. Today as the world bridges languages and people become more aware and sensitive to individual differences, images are used more and more to communicate information.
Top 5 Tips for Families Receiving Stimulus Checks on Behalf of People with Disabilities
June 17, 2020 – Families of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities take on many roles, from loving parent or guardian to advocate, cheerleader, and financial steward. Some days it seems there are new rules, challenges and uncertainty around every corner.
Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities
June 6, 2020 – Digital solutions helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are becoming more readily available. These new assistive technologies are creating more affordable and accessible options that enrich the lives of people with disabilities and help create a greater degree of independence.
Five Ways People with Developmental Disabilities Can Safely Enjoy the Outdoors During the Pandemic
May 29, 2020 – During this unprecedented time, we all are feeling the strain of having to stay home to stay safe. If you’re a parent or guardian living with a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disorder, that challenge can be even greater.
People with Disabilities should stay Vigilant during the Coronavirus
May 21, 2020 – With many states relaxing safety restrictions and opening some retail businesses, people are confused as to the right way to move forward.
The Time is Now to Campaign for Direct Support Professionals: Here’s How
May 13, 2020 – During this unprecedented situation created by the Coronavirus, now is the time to raise our voices in union. As the U.S. government responds to COVID-19 with financial aid, Direct Support Professionals have been forgotten and need our help to remind our legislators of their important role.
10 Ways to Show Gratitude to our Heroes
May 8, 2020 – The stay-at-home approach to fight Coronavirus has shone a bright spotlight on the value of essential workers. We would not be able to get through this pandemic without dedication from grocery store employees, delivery personnel, city employees and—of course—emergency and health care workers like Direct Support Professionals.
The Power of Music for Someone with a Disability
April 30, 2020 – Music is powerful, provides numerous health and wellness benefits, is far reaching and accessible. For people with disabilities, music can offer a form of personalized therapy.
#CelebrateDifferences during Autism Awareness Month
April 24, 2020 – Celebrate National Autism Awareness Month to spread awareness, promote acceptance, and ignite change.
Talking with People with Disabilities about COVID-19
April 16, 2020 – Resources are available to help families and caregivers supporting people with developmental disabilities talk about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Six Ways People with Disabilities Can Enjoy 2020’s Unusual Easter
April 9, 2020 – Holy Week is a sacred time for Christians. For many of us, the occasion is traditionally marked by attending church, being with family and most importantly, renewing our faith. This year as we practice social distancing and avoid gatherings, Easter takes on a different feeling.
In-Home Activities Delivering Big Benefits for People with Disabilities
April 2, 2020 – With schools closed and many states instituting guidelines to keep people sheltered in place to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, parents and guardians are looking for ways to keep their loved ones active and entertained.
Online Resources to Assist Individuals with Autism During the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 26, 2020 – Here’s a great resource offered by the interdisciplinary team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to help families and caregivers supporting individuals with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus and Developmental Disabilities: Managing Challenges
March 19, 2020 –It’s an unprecedented time. COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus, has us all rethinking even the basics of how we work, attend classes, shop and gather with family and friends. For anyone with, or caring for someone with a disability, these activities become even more challenging.
Helping Others Communicate with People with Disabilities
March 10, 2020 –Check out some useful information you can share with others who may need guidance about communicating effectively—and appropriately—with people who have disabilities.
How to Be Included in Your Community
March 5, 2020 – Take the first step to be included in your community and find something to do that you love with others.
Disability Awareness Through Ministry: Tools for creating a place of belonging
February 25, 2020 – Now is the perfect time to begin the journey toward purposeful inclusion of people with all abilities into the Body of Christ, and Bethesda is here to help you get started.
4 Resources to Help People with Disabilities Complete their Taxes
February 20, 2020 – It’s tax season again! No matter who you are, the process of pulling together W-2 forms and completing required paperwork by the April deadline can be a challenge.
What it Means to be a Self-Advocate
February 13, 2020 – Self-advocacy is a term thrown out there a lot in the disability space. But what does it actually mean to be a self-advocate? At its most basic level, being a self-advocate means you have a voice of your own, and you use it.
Disabilities and the 2020 Election: Campaigning for Change
February 7, 2020 – Two millennials with autism are letting presidential candidates know that they’d be well-served to support an influential population of eligible voters – the estimated 54 million Americans with disabilities.
Now What? 3 Things to Know After Turning 18
January 29, 2020 – Turning 18 is a huge milestone, but for a person with a disability and his or her family, it can be a confusing time, too. Here are three key things to know after your loved one officially becomes an adult.
How Understanding Behavior Can Help You Make Good Choices
January 22, 2020 – What exactly is “behavior?” Behavior is the way someone does something, an attempt to address a need. This week, John Sheehan, a training instructor at Bethesda, tells us how understanding behavior can help us make wise choices.
A Perspective on Hiring People with Disabilities
January 15, 2020 – When an employer is looking to hire, what are they looking for? We sat down with Nancy Liebhart and Karrie Zubke, Document Control Associates at Bethesda to gain the perspective of an employer of people with disabilities.
3 ways the law makes it easier for people with disabilities to vote
January 9, 2020 – While voting shouldn’t be hard, for people with intellectual or developmental difficulties, there can be barriers that make it more challenging. Here are three ways both the federal government and state governments are making it easier for people with disabilities to exercise their right to vote.
2019 in Review: A Look Back at a Year of Inclusion
December 30, 2019 – As 2019 draws to a close and we set our sights on a new decade, it’s time to look back at the year that was and highlight some of the biggest stories surrounding the disability community. Here are a just a few of the highlights.
Making the Holidays More Accessible
December 20, 2019 – During holiday events, disabilities become a tangible thing that hosts need to accommodate, and communication is key.
The Future of Independent Living is Here
December 18, 2019 – Independent living options for people with disabilities can be hard to find. At Bethesda, we’re trying to change that. Our new project, Bethesda Cornerstone Village, seeks to offer true independence and community inclusion for people with disabilities looking for a place to call home.
Top 6 Influencers with Disabilities You Should Follow on Instagram
December 11, 2019 – Advocates of disability rights and beauty bloggers have joined forces on Instagram to show that people with disabilities are beautiful inside and out. Here are the top six Instagram influencers you should be following on Instagram.
Top 10 Disability Influencers You Should be Following on Twitter
November 20, 2019 – When it comes to social media, the disability community is often overlooked. However, these advocates use their voices to promote inclusion and awareness, inspiring thousands of followers to speak up about disability issues.
3 Forward-thinking Housing Options for People with Disabilities
November 12, 2019 – Housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have changed dramatically over the past century. This change has been marked by a move away from institutional settings to more individualized and integrated housing situations that offer choice and community inclusion. Here are three of the most forward-thinking housing solutions for people with IDD.
What You Should Know About Supported Decision-Making
November 6, 2019 – Dr. Kira Collins, Director of Admissions at Bethesda College, tells us more about what’s known as Supported Decision-Making and how this new idea helps people with disabilities retain their right to make their own decisions.
Finding Work You Love: A Journey to Fulfilling Employment
October 30, 2019 – Meet Rach, a nursing home employee who happens to have a disability. Here’s how Rach found more than a job. She found her passion.
Helping your loved one be a good employee starts at home
October 23, 2019 – How can you help your loved one prepare for employment? We reached out to one of our job coaches to get some tips on how to prepare your loved one for meaningful, integrated employment.
Kurt’s Corner: Reflections on disability employment awareness month
October 16, 2019 – People with intellectual and developmental disabilities want to work like everyone else. Work gives them the feeling of being included, says Kurt Rutzen, Disability Advocate at Bethesda.
Employees are willing to learn…if employers are willing to see potential
October 9, 2019 – This week, we sit down with Sarah Watson, a Bethesda Thrift Store manager, to get her take on integrated employment for people with disabilities.
Integrated Employment for People with Disabilities
October 2, 2019 – Unemployment. It is one of the biggest challenges facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States today.
How Routines Can Create a Healthier You
The Freshman 15: Helping students make healthy choices on campus
September 18, 2019 – People with disabilities often face barriers when it comes to eating healthy. Here’s how to help the person you support make healthy choices.
How to include people with disabilities in your church
September 11, 2019 – How does faith start for someone with a disability? Here’s how you can start the conversation about faith.
Taking a step into advocacy
September 4, 2019 – Here are three simple ways to advocate for public policy affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
5 Misconceptions about Hiring Someone with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability
August 28, 2019 – Even in today’s booming economy, employers still seem hesitant to hire people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Getting Out on Their Own – Where to Start and How to Be Successful
3 Ways Amazon’s Alexa is Enhancing the Lives of People with Disabilities
August 14, 2019 – How smart technology is creating greater levels of independence for people with disabilities.