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

August 2, 2023

Walmart Sensory Friendly Hours

Walmart is adding sensory-friendly shopping hours at stores nationwide. During this time, lights in the stores will be dimmed, radios will be turned off and moving images on screens will be changed to static ones. The sensory friendly hours are Saturday mornings in the months of July and August. Senior Director for Walmart’s Accessibility Center of Excellence, Gayatri Agnew, talks...

General

July 26, 2023

Mattel’s Inclusive Range of Dolls now Includes Barbie with Down Syndrome

Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society to design a new Barbie. The doll is the first Barbie with Down Syndrome. It is part of Barbie’s 2023 Fashionista line, which Mattel describes as an “inclusive range” of dolls. These dolls are “designed to reflect the world kids see today.” The new doll possesses a unique body sculpt intended to...

General

July 19, 2023

Upcoming Opportunities for Learning

Very soon we will start to see the first signs of fall, school supplies line the store aisles, everything is flavored with pumpkin and spices, and the mornings start with a crispness in the air. Another sign that Autumn is on the horizon, is that we release our Fall Syllabus. We are excited to share with you several new presenters...

General

July 12, 2023

Raise the Flag for Disability Pride Month

July is disability pride month. This celebration occurs every July and it is in honor of when the Americans with Disability Act was signed into law on July 28, 1990. The first official celebration of Disability Pride Month occurred in July 2015 when former New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, declared July Disability Pride month. About The Flag The...

General

July 5, 2023

Gracie’s Doggie Delights – Get Your Paws on These Treats

Why should you be careful when it rains cats and dogs? Because you might step in a poodle. What is a dog that sneezes? A-choo-wawa I hope you got a little laugh from those dog jokes! Many of you reading this probably have a dog or dogs. While I don’t have a dog personally, my family and I have many...

Community/General

June 28, 2023

Gaming to Learn How to Say No

In January 2020, right before the world shut down, ODP held the Everyday Lives Conference. David Hingsburger was one of the keynote speakers and I was excited to listen to him. I first heard him in 2006 at a hotel conference room in Monroeville that was standing room only. I was mesmerized and I bought every book he had for...

General/Resources

June 21, 2023

Smile, Mobile Dentistry Services are Accessible and Free

FREE Dental Care! Yes I said FREE! The Arc of Clarion and Venango Counties Inc. and Link the Valley have partnered to provide free dental care. This is a great way for people to get FREE (yes I said it again) preventative medical care. Further, they will assist with helping people get set up with a dentist when there is an emergency. Check...

Community/Resources

June 14, 2023

Know the Signs, Ask, Report, and Take Action

Most of the people employed or associated with the Intellectual Disability/Autism systems are here because they want to help provide care and service to people with disabilities. But we also know that sometimes people get hurt. That may be through abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation. So, who can abuse, neglect, abandon, or exploit a person with a disability? It can...

Community/Resources

June 7, 2023

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

How many of you remember Silly Putty? I’m sure you know what I’m talking about…the tan putty that came in the red egg. Everyone in school had it. When I was a kid, I loved playing with that stuff. Back in the day, Silly Putty was the only one of its kind. You can still buy Silly Putty today; however,...

General

May 31, 2023

Growing Together Aquaponics Gets Transplanted

Have you heard? Growing Together Aquaponics is moving. See below for press release. The great news is they are, and continue to be, awesome! They are already growing produce for our second season of “Lettuce Help with Dinner.” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Growing Together Aquaponics is moving out of North Country Brewing. Growing Together Aquaponics, the job training program for people...

Community/Resources