What Would You Like?
I am not sure how many are visiting here, so far. Probably, I will need to repeat this, or variations of it, as our numbers increase.
My hope for Developmental Disabilities Exchange is to establish a dynamic conversation, maybe many, on the subjects of improving what is available for people with developmental disabilities.
In our state, much focus has been on a long-standing, limited and very limiting debate as to whether state-run campuses known as "residential habilitation centers" (RHCs) should be allowed to continue to exist. I think it is a very sad state of affairs that so much effort goes into closing excellent facilities that are needed and preferred by their residents and their representatives. But, that debate is NOT what this blog is about.
It is about everything else that pertains to the subject of life-styles, choices and resources for people with dd, their families and communities.
Discussing what is not optimal about any given service delivery system, living arrangement or other support, from the perspectives of it's consumers, service providers, direct caregivers and teachers and neighbors, alike, is encouraged when it is framed as a request for constructive ideas for improvement or a clear request for empathetic support. Conversely, in the interest of avoiding becoming a battlefield, taking pokes at other systems and resources with which one has no direct experience is discouraged. Praise of something you, your loved one with dd or your clients/students experience as working wonderfully is very much encouraged.
Participation of members of the larger communities to which people with dd belong is also encouraged. Many of us are so used to considering the needs of people with dd that we can fail to take into account how the needs of others are impacted by our needs or those of our loved ones. I think it is important and helpful to see our lives & those of folks we may represent or provide service to in the context of the larger community.
Sharing of news & giving/receiving support is part of every community; I see ddexchange participants, collectively, as having the potential to become a very rich community, nationwide.
Ultimately, this blog can serve to broaden all of our perspectives on what is needed and what is possible to achieve by and on behalf of people with dd. We could even come together, eventually to create models that do not exist yet, models that optimize people's ability to receive help and support that is geared to their choices and the needs they or their representatives identify for them. Who knows, with the comprehensive reach of the internet, we probably even have among us people with the ability to create new financial systems to support innovations we co-create!
So, here we are at the beginning. We can go in any direction we choose, build on each subject introduced. I have been thinking about how to make this happen & I am wide open to ideas.
What can you envision? What subjects are of interest to you? What needs do you, your loved ones with dd or your clients, patients or students have that could use some fresh air and discussion, maybe, ultimately, improvement? Or what else would you like to share?
I will be moderating, at least for a while. Progressively, we will have other primary bloggers, possibly in time, each moderating for a subject or on behalf of groups of people whose needs are similar. I am not sure, yet, as I really want the blog to represent what is wanted by participants. Also, the format allows for "pages", so when there is enough participation about different subjects, there can be different pages for each. For now, to respond to something someone else has said, just write in the "comment" box, below each blog section (click "comments" to open the box). When you have something to share that is not a direct comment to something I or someone else has blogged, just send it to me by email atddexchanges@gmail.net .
Also, it would really help the process if you would sign up to become a member so we could have a sense of how many people are participating. Even if you don't comment, it would help us know that we were being read.
Thanks,
Saskia Davis
My hope for Developmental Disabilities Exchange is to establish a dynamic conversation, maybe many, on the subjects of improving what is available for people with developmental disabilities.
In our state, much focus has been on a long-standing, limited and very limiting debate as to whether state-run campuses known as "residential habilitation centers" (RHCs) should be allowed to continue to exist. I think it is a very sad state of affairs that so much effort goes into closing excellent facilities that are needed and preferred by their residents and their representatives. But, that debate is NOT what this blog is about.
It is about everything else that pertains to the subject of life-styles, choices and resources for people with dd, their families and communities.
Discussing what is not optimal about any given service delivery system, living arrangement or other support, from the perspectives of it's consumers, service providers, direct caregivers and teachers and neighbors, alike, is encouraged when it is framed as a request for constructive ideas for improvement or a clear request for empathetic support. Conversely, in the interest of avoiding becoming a battlefield, taking pokes at other systems and resources with which one has no direct experience is discouraged. Praise of something you, your loved one with dd or your clients/students experience as working wonderfully is very much encouraged.
Participation of members of the larger communities to which people with dd belong is also encouraged. Many of us are so used to considering the needs of people with dd that we can fail to take into account how the needs of others are impacted by our needs or those of our loved ones. I think it is important and helpful to see our lives & those of folks we may represent or provide service to in the context of the larger community.
Sharing of news & giving/receiving support is part of every community; I see ddexchange participants, collectively, as having the potential to become a very rich community, nationwide.
Ultimately, this blog can serve to broaden all of our perspectives on what is needed and what is possible to achieve by and on behalf of people with dd. We could even come together, eventually to create models that do not exist yet, models that optimize people's ability to receive help and support that is geared to their choices and the needs they or their representatives identify for them. Who knows, with the comprehensive reach of the internet, we probably even have among us people with the ability to create new financial systems to support innovations we co-create!
So, here we are at the beginning. We can go in any direction we choose, build on each subject introduced. I have been thinking about how to make this happen & I am wide open to ideas.
What can you envision? What subjects are of interest to you? What needs do you, your loved ones with dd or your clients, patients or students have that could use some fresh air and discussion, maybe, ultimately, improvement? Or what else would you like to share?
I will be moderating, at least for a while. Progressively, we will have other primary bloggers, possibly in time, each moderating for a subject or on behalf of groups of people whose needs are similar. I am not sure, yet, as I really want the blog to represent what is wanted by participants. Also, the format allows for "pages", so when there is enough participation about different subjects, there can be different pages for each. For now, to respond to something someone else has said, just write in the "comment" box, below each blog section (click "comments" to open the box). When you have something to share that is not a direct comment to something I or someone else has blogged, just send it to me by email at
Also, it would really help the process if you would sign up to become a member so we could have a sense of how many people are participating. Even if you don't comment, it would help us know that we were being read.
Thanks,
Saskia Davis
DD Exchange can open pathways between people who need information about services for a person with DD. The first item however should be in defining our terms.Specificall the words used to describe disabling conditions of persons. What is meant by Developmental disability? Does this mean a persons development was interrupted and created an inability to function independently. How far does this reach. The person born with no arms or legs did not develop totally, however, the disability is physical only. So how do we identify a person with not fully developed brain senses. The variances in this description is very high and we need caution not to describe all persons with intellectual disabilities as the same. So how do we differentiate between a person who is totally unable to recognize, discern or decide with a person who has very limited recognition and decision skills. It is a puzzling thought. Share your views.
ReplyDeleteMaria
Thanks, Maria,
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea of "opening pathways between people who need information for a person with dd."
I'm wondering if you are asking a question about what kinds of disabilities are defined as developmental disabilities, but also, saying that we should be careful not to try to lump everyone with different kinds of dd together. Is this right?
With luck, there are other people reading this who will contribute their ideas.
Saskia