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

June 11, 2025

The Amazing Purple Cat

I got the opportunity to visit The Purple Cat which is based in Youngstown, Ohio. I am blown away by many different types of programs they offer. Founded to offer day-program and alternatives for adults, The Purple Cat has around 275 clients. The Purple Cat was founded in 2003 with the goal “to prompt each individual to achieve his or...

General

June 4, 2025

What’s the Big Deal? Sleep Apnea is Just Snoring…or Is It?

Discover the Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Sleep apnea is common. However, it is often overlooked in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It can have significant consequences on overall health and impact on quality of life. The key is to recognize the signs and symptoms, then report them to the...

General

May 28, 2025

The Fight for The Americans with Disabilities Act

Equality and accessibility…two words we hear a lot of these days, but what do they mean? According to Google search, “Equality is about ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities and benefits, regardless of their background or characteristics. Accessibility focuses on removing barriers that prevent individuals from accessing and using resources, services, and environments. It aims to make things usable...

General

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...

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...

General

May 7, 2025

What’s Outside the Box? Growth and Opportunities for People with IDD

The thing that I have always enjoyed about my job at Milestone HCQU West is our team’s ability to look “outside the box” and to have a work culture that supports that concept. Each person that we meet and each team that we help support are unique. You cannot use a cookie cutter approach when working with people. You must...

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...

General

April 23, 2025

NEW Approved Treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome

The FDA has recently approved Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) extended-release tablets for the treatment of hyperphagia, or persistent hunger, in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) aged 4 and older. This is the first FDA-approved treatment for this diagnosis. It is administered via a once-daily, extended-release tablet . The drug is approved for individuals with PWS aged 4 years and older who...

General

April 16, 2025

How I Used Social Engineering to Hack My Team

I have a confession to make. I… am a hacker. It’s not a full-time gig or anything. In fact, most of the time I’m a relatively mild-mannered IT professional. But every now and then, when the moon is full, the evil genius inside me (“Evil-Leslie”) will rise. I’m just kidding – it has nothing to do with the moon. And...

General/Technology

April 9, 2025

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

People with Intellectual Disabilities/Autism (ID/A) are at a substantial risk of sexual assault. We know that. But did you know? Many people have not received education related to their body. Others do not know what sexual assault is in general. Statistically people with ID/A are sexually assaulted at seven times the rate of those without disabilities. All people are sexual...

General