Author: Jillesa Cress

September 10, 2025

Got to Love That Libby

Ok fellow readers, I’ve been a major fan of Libby for about five years now. I have to make a fuss. If you’re asking “Who or what is Libby?,” get ready to jump on the fan bandwagon. What is Libby? Libby is basically your local library made virtual. Yes! The library can come to our living rooms, nay closer, the...

Categories General/Resources

September 3, 2025

You Heard that Right: Project ECHO

Project ECHO is an educational program offered by Penn State College of Medicine. ECHO stands for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes and is an internationally-recognized, evidence-based approach to continuing education and telementoring. It focuses on sharing knowledge across milesand disciplines. Project ECHO actually started back in 2018 and has been influencing positive health outcomes around Pennsylvania and beyond. We want...

Categories General/Resources

June 18, 2025

Intentionally Accessible: The Movie Experience Levels Up

As a story lover, I have a passion for cinema. Like so many in today’s culture, I bond with others over a film. But what if the movie experience is not the same across the board? We can talk about accessibility and inclusion all day every day, but it is the inventors, movers, and shakers that change the world and...

Categories Community/Technology

May 21, 2025

Color Me Impressed! How Paint Colors Impact People with Disabilities.

Are you renovating a meeting or office space? Do you plan on helping someone refresh their room with a new coat of paint? Maybe you are assisting someone with a disability move into their new home. Something as simple as wall color can greatly impact the mood and feeling of a room. We all understand how daunting it can be...

Categories General

May 14, 2025

Able News: For, By, and About People with Disabilities

You’ve heard it said ‘information is power.’ Able News at The Viscardi Center stands as a vital information resource for the disability community. It launched with the foundational mission to provide news for, by, and about people with disabilities. Able News has become a trusted source of information and advocacy. A Digital Hub for Disability News Able News at The...

Categories General

April 30, 2025

Shake it Up! Spices from Max Mix

The topic of inclusion, employment for all, and spices reminds me of this adage. “Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor.”  – William Cowper, The Task (1785) Aren’t you glad this world, people, and life itself isn’t boring!?! Food can be so flavorful, especially when complimented with seasonings and spices. With our Holiday Shopping...

Categories General

April 2, 2025

A Penny Saved is a Penny Learned

Finances in Everyday Life Do you ever find yourself singing along to ABBA’s “Money, Money, Money”? While we don’t want to forget that the most meaningful and beautiful things in life are not things at all, we all know that finances are an important topic. We ask financial questions every day. To buy the latte or not? Buy lunch out...

Categories General

March 26, 2025

Here Comes the Sun! The Sunflower Reveals Hidden Disabilities

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: A Symbol of Inclusion The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple yet powerful tool. Wearing the Sunflower is a way people with non-visible disabilities can discreetly signal that they may need extra support. It might allow others in public spaces like stores, transport, and workplaces to recognize the wearer might need more understanding or time. For...

Categories General

February 12, 2025

Looking for Love? Try Dateability

“Faint heart never won fair lady/maiden.” This old proverb first showed up somewhere in the early 1500s according to Google. The fact that we still hear it today shows that humanity continues to relate to this sentiment. In other words, love takes courage. It takes a lot to put oneself out there. You must be vulnerable and real. You need...

Categories General/Resources

December 11, 2024

Sensational Socks and Stories that Sweep the Nation

I’ve known about John’s Crazy Socks for some years now. Every time we (HCQU team) opened an order to add socks to a conference raffle basket or a Direct Support Professional appreciation bundle, it felt like Christmas. The large variety of cute, funny, quirky socks to tickle your toes has impressed me. With thousands of designs, John’s Crazy Socks is...

Categories General