Ray Graham Association’s Post

Its Disabled Access Day! Today, we're spotlighting an issue close to our hearts at OutLET : the universal right to play and connect with nature, especially for children and young people with disabilities. It's a significant day, and our message is clear: Access to the joys of nature and play should not be a privilege but a right for all. (This belief isn't just ours alone; itels soon to be reinforced by law here in scotland) Barriers to accessing natural play spaces are more common than they should be for young ones with physical disabilities. But at OutLET, we're here to prove it doesn't have to be this way. Our dedicated team, fueled by personal battles for inclusion, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the table. They're not just advocates; they're warriors for change, using their journeys to inspire and drive our mission forward.💪 🌳 Our Commitment to Inclusion 🌳 Through lived experiences, our staff showcases practical adaptations to make woodlands and natural play areas accessible to everyone. Our commitment is unwavering, and our programmes are designed to be inclusive, ensuring no child is left behind. Want to learn more about our journey and the magic of inclusive forest schools? Check out our team's inspiring stories here: (https://lnkd.in/etNDGcXf) 📣 Join Us in Making a Difference 📣 Interested in making nature accessible for all? Learn how through our Inclusion Outdoors CPD. Reach out by sending us a DM with the word "Inclusion" and be part of this vital movement. Let's acknowledge #DisabledAccessDay by embracing diversity, promoting accessibility, and ensuring that every child has the freedom to play and explore in nature. Together, we can break down barriers and build a more inclusive world. 💚

Check out our interview on OPB!

🌟 Colorado Gives GivingTuesday: A Moment to Support Trailhead Community Hello LinkedIn Community, On this GivingTuesday, I want to spotlight an organization that is close to my heart and making a real difference in our community: Trailhead Community. As we embrace the spirit of generosity today, let’s consider how we can impact lives positively. 🏡 Trailhead Community's Mission: Trailhead Community is dedicated to creating inclusive housing solutions. They focus on adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD), professionals earning below the local median income, and seniors who are often overlooked in housing options. Their ambitious project is an 80-unit apartment complex that promises to be a beacon of inclusivity and integration, offering a home for a diverse group of residents. 💡 Understanding the Need: In Colorado, the gap between available housing and the needs of people with developmental disabilities is stark. With thousands of adults with IDD living with elderly caretakers and the cost of living far outpacing disability benefits, the need for affordable and inclusive housing solutions is more urgent than ever. I encourage you to consider how you can be part of this change. Every donation, big or small, contributes towards building a community where everyone has a place they can call home. On this GivingTuesday, let’s come together to support Trailhead Community and make a lasting difference in the lives of many. Your generosity can help build a future where inclusivity and community are at the heart of living. Thank you for considering this cause and for your unwavering support. https://lnkd.in/gzCgFK2u #GivingTuesday #ColoradoGivesDay #TrailheadCommunity #InclusiveHousing #CommunitySupport

Did you know that The League has a blog? Our goal is to cover topics that are important to you, like best practices for individuals traveling with disabilities! Submit any suggestions you might have in the comments below and we'll work towards incorporating them in our resource library. Read it here:

Geography is no barrier when a workshop is virtual! Gary Shulman, MS. Ed. Special Needs Workshops 646-596-5642 shulman.gary@yahoo.com https://lnkd.in/dJyaAR2 Interactive, special needs virtual workshops for parents, caregivers and professionals. Please contact me so we can discuss possible dates, times, topics and fee. Advocacy: They have it. You want it. Now what? This workshop will share strategies to help you say what you need to say, and do what you need to do in order to find, apply for and obtain what is needed for your family member with a disability and for your whole family as well. Become the best advocate possible! Needs, Wants Wishes and Dreams Life can be difficult when caring for a child with a disability. This session will share valuable resources, encourage participants to celebrate their successes as well as their frustrations and difficulties, offer strategies for success and provide motivation to reach your goals, dream about the future and instill hope! The Stress of Caring for a Child with a Disability We will share strategies for stress reduction and share concrete experiences and factors causing stress in our lives, caring for a child with a disability. Participants will share their favorite strategies for coping and hopefully learn some new options. Sharing is caring and that sharing can help us all. We All Belong An overview of why the inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream programs benefits all, when done with support, caring, kindness and compassion. Let's learn more about the laws that support inclusion and hear from participants about their experiences with inclusion into the community. Stares, Glares and Hurtful Words When your child is perceived to look or behave in a way that brings on unwanted attention from others, it can be uncomfortable. Let’s share strategies to educate, sensitize and react to these experiences. Let's dive into this sensitive topic and share our feelings, thoughts and emotions. Communicating with Kindness Life is stressful enough without adding the extra burden of having to interact with individuals that add to your stress due to difficult communication skills. Caregivers must interact with professionals and visa versa. It is just a reality of life when a family member has a disability. Let us learn and share techniques to make that interaction as positive as possible. Ask Gary Utilizing my 50 years of teaching, social services expertise and advocacy this session will allow participants to bring their problems, barriers, issues of concern and difficulties in obtaining services to the group where I will offer feedback and strategies and all participants can chime in as well.

Gary Shulman, MS. Ed. Special Needs Workshops 646-596-5642 shulman.gary@yahoo.com https://lnkd.in/dJyaAR2 Interactive, special needs virtual workshops for parents, caregivers and professionals. Please contact me so we can discuss possible dates, times, topics and fee Advocacy: They have it. You want it. Now what? This workshop will share strategies to help you say what you need to say, and do what you need to do in order to find, apply for and obtain what is needed for your family member with a disability and for your whole family as well. Become the best advocate possible! Needs, Wants Wishes and Dreams Life can be difficult when caring for a child with a disability. This session will share valuable resources, encourage participants to celebrate their successes as well as their frustrations and difficulties, offer strategies for success and provide motivation to reach your goals, dream about the future and instill hope! The Stress of Caring for a Child with a Disability We will share strategies for stress reduction and share concrete experiences and factors causing stress in our lives, caring for a child with a disability. Participants will share their favorite strategies for coping and hopefully learn some new options. Sharing is caring and that sharing can help us all. We All Belong   An overview of why the inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream programs benefits all, when done with support, caring, kindness and compassion. Let's learn more about the laws that support inclusion and hear from participants about their experiences with inclusion into the community. Stares, Glares and Hurtful Words When your child is perceived to look or behave in a way that brings on unwanted attention from others, it can be uncomfortable. Let’s share strategies to educate, sensitize and react to these experiences. Let's dive into this sensitive topic and share our feelings, thoughts and emotions. Communicating with Kindness Life is stressful enough without adding the extra burden of having to interact with individuals that add to your stress due to difficult communication skills. Caregivers must interact with professionals and visa versa. It is just a reality of life when a family member has a disability. Let us learn and share techniques to make that interaction as positive as possible.

Now booking 2024 virtual sessions: Gary Shulman, MS. Ed. Special Needs Workshops 646-596-5642 shulman.gary@yahoo.com https://lnkd.in/dJyaAR2 Interactive, special needs virtual workshops for parents, caregivers and professionals. Please contact me so we can discuss possible dates, times, topics and fee. Advocacy: They have it. You want it. Now what? This workshop will share strategies to help you say what you need to say, and do what you need to do in order to find, apply for and obtain what is needed for your family member with a disability and for your whole family as well. Become the best advocate possible! Needs, Wants Wishes and Dreams Life can be difficult when caring for a child with a disability. This session will share valuable resources, encourage participants to celebrate their successes as well as their frustrations and difficulties, offer strategies for success and provide motivation to reach your goals, dream about the future and instill hope! The Stress of Caring for a Child with a Disability We will share strategies for stress reduction and share concrete experiences and factors causing stress in our lives, caring for a child with a disability. Participants will share their favorite strategies for coping and hopefully learn some new options. Sharing is caring and that sharing can help us all. We All Belong An overview of why the inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream programs benefits all, when done with support, caring, kindness and compassion. Let's learn more about the laws that support inclusion and hear from participants about their experiences with inclusion into the community. Stares, Glares and Hurtful Words When your child is perceived to look or behave in a way that brings on unwanted attention from others, it can be uncomfortable. Let’s share strategies to educate, sensitize and react to these experiences. Let's dive into this sensitive topic and share our feelings, thoughts and emotions. Communicating with Kindness Life is stressful enough without adding the extra burden of having to interact with individuals that add to your stress due to difficult communication skills. Caregivers must interact with professionals and visa versa. It is just a reality of life when a family member has a disability. Let us learn and share techniques to make that interaction as positive as possible. Ask Gary Utilizing my 50 years of teaching, social services expertise and advocacy this session will allow participants to bring their problems, barriers, issues of concern and difficulties in obtaining services to the group where I will offer feedback and strategies and all participants can chime in as well.

I definitely didn’t have “being interviewed by the news” on my 2024 Summer Bingo card, but I’m sure Alberta and BC didn’t have “mass destruction through forest fires” on theirs either. As unexpected as this opportunity was, stepping out of my comfort zone has been rewarding. I had the chance to bring awareness to a crucial issue: the need for more inclusive and accessible indoor spaces for youth in Calgary. The recent forest fires and resulting poor air quality have highlighted how vulnerable outdoor summer programming in Alberta can be. Like many summer camps, Between Friends. continues to face significant challenges in finding accessible indoor activities for children with disabilities. Between Friends. Camp Bonaventure supports roughly 170 children and teens and has over 100 staff and volunteers to relocate from our outdoor day camp sites (Sandy Beach and Cambrian Heights) to an indoor location when the temperature rises above 30 degrees or when the air quality is above 7. Despite our city’s reputation for inclusivity and community spirit, there remains a critical gap in affordable, inclusive indoor recreational options that cater to the needs of all children. Many indoor activity centers in Calgary offer programs for children with disabilities, but these often come with a high price tag (sometimes up to $1,000 per day). In addition, the lack of truly inclusive environments is a major concern. Many facilities are not equipped with the necessary accommodations to meet the diverse needs of youth with disabilities. Lastly, is the unpredictable availability of accessible facilities. Many centers don't offer openings on a last-minute basis, making it difficult for organizations like ours to pivot day by day depending on the air quality. Youth with disabilities deserve a safe and supportive summer camp option where they can play, learn, and grow, regardless of external circumstances like weather and air quality. Ensuring their safety and well-being is our top priority. I am beyond grateful for the support of our staff, volunteers and families as we work towards creating a more inclusive Calgary for all. #Inclusion #Accessibility #Calgary #BetweenFriends #CommunityImpact

Sometimes, life takes us on an unexpected yet extraordinary journey. 🌟  As we welcome the new year, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has profoundly shaped who I am. My adventure began in 1995 when I married my husband, who has a severe form of cerebral palsy. Before meeting him, disability was a world unknown to me, a subject that admittedly made me uneasy. Fast-forward to today, and my life is rich with lessons and love from this unique experience.   Our journey led to the creation of the Stephen J. Wampler Foundation and Camp Wamp, a haven for children with disabilities. It ignited my passion for bridging the gap between people who do and don’t have disabilities. Embracing this life has taught me profound lessons about human nature, resilience, and the beauty and optimism surrounding the topic of disability.  The national push related to assimilation and cohesion for people with disabilities echoes the compassion I've seen grow in our society, a change that fills me with expectation and gratitude. Through Main Street, our 14-module course, we nurture the advancement of  genuine connections between people with disabilities and the general public, using  warm- hearted compassion, humor, and zero judgment.  It’s a reflection of my life’s work—to enlighten, unite, and celebrate the richness that comes from embracing all the 1.3 billion people on the planet with some sort of disability. I'm grateful for every twist and turn in this journey and the chance to share it with others. Here's to understanding, cohesion, and the joy of learning from each other! #DisabilityAwareness #InclusionMatters #LifeJourney #CampWamp #Gratitude #EmpathyInAction #MainStreet #NewBeginnings #EmbraceDiversity #StephenJWamplerFoundation 

The impact that Shepherds Way is having is real and tangible! And this is your chance to help move the needle. If you want to know more check out the Shepherds Way website!