Milestone HCQU West Blog - News, Resources, and Innovative Ideas & Supports

July 1, 2026

Are you loud and proud? Disability Pride Pennsylvania

More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults, over 70 million people, have a disability. In the beginning of the movie Crip Camp there is a reflection from one person about the crowd and not knowing which people were campers and which were counselors. Perhaps this is central to inclusion, immersive diversity and acceptance of all. The beginning of pride Did you...

General

June 24, 2026

Do You Know the Secrets to a Sensory Garden?

How does your garden grow? Honestly, I don’t have much of a green thumb, but I revel in the natural world around me. Consequently, I’ve been intrigued by the trend for sensory gardens. What’s a Sensory Garden? Sensory gardens are designed to specifically engage our senses and be a safe, comfortable environment for enjoyment and wonder. They are purposefully made...

Community/General

June 17, 2026

Let’s Connect Now! Join the Fun on Our Facebook Page

Your go-to spot for tips, stories, and support for caregivers and advocates. Hi friends! We know how busy life can get. You give so much every day, supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism (ID/A), and sometimes it’s nice to have a place where you can find quick tips, encouragement, inspiration, and a little fun. That’s why we’d...

Community/Technology

June 10, 2026

When Your Past Stays with You: How we can help support our self-advocates through PTSD and Trauma

Watching The Pitt Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch walks into a crowded waiting room in the ER on the hit show, The Pitt. When Dr. Robby sees how crowded the waiting room is that day, he instantly walks away and the music starts to speed up, depicting his mind racing with flashbacks of working the front lines of the COVID pandemic. During the scene, Dr....

Community/General

June 3, 2026

When the System Feels Impossible: Supporting Adults with FASD and Intellectual Disabilities

The person in front of you has not had a bad day. They have had a brain that works differently every single day and most of the systems designed to support them were not built with that in mind. Navigating the world as an adult with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Intellectual Disabilities (ID) often feels like trying to...

General

May 27, 2026

Very Special Camps: The Experience Made Accessible

Summer is officially here and with summer comes… summer camps! Perhaps you remember your summer camp days of hiking, swimming, canoeing, playing sports, doing crafts, sitting and singing around campfires, and participating in many other recreational activities. Oh, and we can’t forget eating the camp food! Summer camps offer people many different opportunities, as well as a chance to establish...

Community/General/Resources

May 20, 2026

Competing in Comfort: Adidas unveils a new shoe made for everyone

Chris Nikic set a Guiness World Record by becoming the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman in 2020. Throughout his training, Chris continued to struggle with finding a shoe that fit the unique anatomy of his foot. Down Syndrome, the most common genetic condition, can include different physical characteristics like foot issues. The issues can fall into...

General

May 13, 2026

Water Matters: Why Hydration Makes a Big Splash

Summer is just about here with all of its beauty of bright skies and sunshine. However, it also brings high temperatures and humidity! Did You Know… Did you know our bodies are made up of 60% water and we can use up about 2 liters of that water a day! Older adults are more likely to experience dehydration. This is...

Everyday Life/General

May 6, 2026

Password Recycling is Hazardous to Your Security

World Password Day (May 7) might not be a holiday you celebrate with family and friends, but maybe it should be! It’s a great reminder of how critical password hygiene is for protecting your identity and your finances. Strong authentication means not only using complex passwords, but also not reusing those passwords for multiple accounts. Why Reusing Passwords Is Risky...

Community/Technology

April 29, 2026

Shifting Perspectives: A World of Endless Possibilities

Have you seen Pixar’s short film titled “Loop”? It came out on Disney + back in January 2020. In this short film a young lady with autism navigates the world around her. She also teaches her acquaintance that not everything in this world is as it seems. Sometimes if we just slow down and accept someone for who they are,...

Community/General