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

November 17, 2021

Accessible Chef

Our goal as providers and caregivers is to give people with disabilities an everyday life. What is an everyday life? According to the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), “An everyday life is about opportunities, relationships, rights, and responsibilities. It is about being a member of the community, having a valued role, making a contribution to society, and having one’s rights...

Everyday Life/General/Resources/Technology

November 10, 2021

Your Personal Guide: MagnusCards

Figuring out the nuances of day to day life, from interacting with others to navigating local stores, can be confusing for many of us. Take my current situation as an example. My local grocery store is going through a remodel. Now, having lived in the same town for almost 20 years, I have gotten used to what items are in...

General

November 3, 2021

Love – You Feel It, You Sign It

There are many ways to express our love and appreciation for other people. Love Letters by Emily (lovelettersbyemily.com) helps you express it in unique pieces featuring American Sign Language (ASL). This Rhode Island, family-based company has a big online presence. Love Letters by Emily was actually inspired by Emily’s Teacher of the Deaf who photographed her hand fingerspelling LOVE in...

General/Resources

October 27, 2021

Cushion Consideration

When do you know its time for the dreaded shopping trip for new shoes? Do you go based on how much tread is left? Do you wait until you have toes poking through a hole in your shoes? Is it time to go when you no longer have any arch support? Or do you schedule it for every 6 months?...

General

October 20, 2021

Down Syndrome Association of the Valley

I recently had the pleasure to meet Michele Jones, the President of Down Syndrome Association of the Valley (DSAV). DSAV serves Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania as a regional support group. She was excited to share some of the opportunities that DSAV has to offer people with Down Syndrome and their families. Down Syndrome Association of the Valley provides everything...

Community/General/Resources

October 13, 2021

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries will Feature Actor with Autism

“The Christmas Bond” will air as part of the Hallmark network’s “Miracles of Christmas” which begins October 22, 2021. This is the first time Hallmark will feature an actor on the autism spectrum. The movie stars Holly Robinson Peete and Nik Sanchez, an actor with autism. Peete is also the executive producer of the film. Peete plays a single mother...

General

October 6, 2021

Down Syndrome Awareness

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month and did you know that in our region we are lucky enough to have the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UPMC? It is one of only ten centers in the United States. The clinic is run by Dr. Peter Bulova who is also the Co-Director of Magee Center for Women with Disabilities. He is...

General/Resources

September 29, 2021

Morphic is Raising the Bar

Morphic’s mission is to make computers easier to use. This software is quick and easy to install on Windows or Mac computers making an all-in-one accessibility package just a few clicks away. Morphic accesses the accessibility features already built into the operating system of a PC or Mac and makes them easier to customize and reach with shortcuts. Many are...

General/Resources/Technology

September 22, 2021

The Secret to Becoming Healthy Is Getting Started

Getting started is exactly what James “Jim” Klaes did! I began educating Jim and Armstrong Care Inc.’s staff in December of 2020. Jim and his team provided permission for us to share his story. Jim had recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and had an A1C of 9.1, which is equivalent to an average 3-month blood sugar of 214. ...

General

September 15, 2021

It’s a Cup of Coffee for the Win!

I don’t know how many of you are like me. I love my coffee. And for those of you who know me well I may have a little bit of a struggle until I have that first cup. I used to drink my coffee with flavored creamer but within the last few years I have gravitated towards plain black. Pour...

General/Resources