Author: Cynthia Burrow

Don’t Miss Us at SXSW EDU!

James Meadours will present at SXSW EDU next week. His session is called “Participatory Research: Empowering Self-Advocates to Lead.” He will share strategies for supporting self-advocates as they work on projects. His story will inspire and entertain you!

The session takes place Tuesday, 3/5 from 4:30-5 PM. We will be in Ballroom G of the Austin Convention Center. Be sure to “favorite” our session in your schedule!

If you can’t make the session, you can still download the free resources here and on the “Our Resources” page.

#SeatAtTheTable #SXSWEDU2024 #Neurodiversity #IDD

Learn with us at NAPSA in Boston!

James Meadours and Cynthia Burrow will present at the National Adult Protective Services Association annual convention this week. Their session is about making sure self-advocates have a place at the table for projects about their lives. They will share ideas and tools to make that easier to do. Join us:

Wednesday, 8/28/23
1:15 – 2:15 PM
Level 3, Abstract Room

Connect with Us in Texas!

The Participatory Action Research Team is heading to Denton. We will be presenting at the Texas Advocates Conference Saturday, 7/29.

We will host a card tournament with lots of prizes. Players will also learn about working on projects for pay. They’ll learn:

  • People with IDD should work on projects about their lives.
  • Their lived experience has great value.
  • They should be paid for their work.
  • They can be careful about working while receiving benefits.

To learn more about the conference, check out the Texas Advocates website. Come by our exhibit table. Come to our presentation. Or catch us in between!

Meet the PAR Team!

PAR stands for Participatory Action Research. That just means that people with IDD should be part of projects about them. We have some amazing folks on our teams!

Over the next 3 years, we will:

  • Create a visual vocabulary list. It will use plain language and pictures. It will help researchers and people with IDD work together more easily.
  • Create free training for people with IDD. They will learn about getting paid to work on projects.
  • Create tools for researchers. These will include graphic organizers, support checklists, surveys, and more.
  • Connect people with IDD to projects. We want many self-advocates working on projects about their lives. We want organizations to hire them.

Join our mailing list by filling out the form on the right. You’ll get updates about our work.

New Virtual Peer Support Videos

We’ve posted two new videos to our YouTube channel. Check out our Virtual Peer Support playlist. Our peer support specialists talk about:

  • Independent Living Skills
  • Living in Your Own Place

You’ll learn how these things can help you build the life you want. You’ll learn how to get services in Texas. Most of all, you’ll be inspired by our team’s stories!

While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to our channel. That way, you’ll be the first to see new videos.

Special thanks to Cara Weber, Shelbi Davenport, James Meadours, Anand Iyer, and Charlotte Garrison-Tate!

Share Your Impact Stories!

Seen and Heard: IDD Community is a grant-funded project. That means we need to show we are making a difference. Please share your stories of impact. Click the link below. You don’t need to tell us your name. Just tell us how our work has helped you, changed your mind about something, or made you feel better.

We want to keep making an impact. Click the link to share your story:

My Impact Story

Lift Up Self-Advocate Voices at SXSW EDU 2023!

Thanks for joining us for Amplifying Self-Advocate Voices with Storytelling by James Meadours. We are thrilled to be a part of SXSW EDU 2023.

We are building a community of self-advocates. We want people with disabilities to share their experiences. We are teaching them to use social media to do that.

Please join our social media community to help us reach our goals. 

  • Follow, like, and share our work.
  • Tag us in self-advocate videos you create. Use the hashtag #SelfAdvocateStories
  • Join our mailing list for news and free resources.

Find us here:

Facebook IconFacebook

Instagram IconInstagram

TikTok IconTikTok

YouTube IconYouTube

Thank you for your time. We look forward to connecting with you!

#SelfAdvocateStories #SXSWEDU #Neurodiversity #IDD #txcdd

Build Your Life with Virtual Peer Support!

Our peer support specialists have been hard at work. We’ve posted three new videos to our YouTube channel. Check out our Virtual Peer Support playlist:

  • Intro to Peer Support
  • Employment Peer Support
  • Transportation Peer Support

You’ll learn how these things can help you build the life you want. You’ll learn how to get services in Texas. Most of all, you’ll be inspired by our team’s stories!

While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to our channel. That way, you’ll be the first to see new videos.

Special thanks to Cara Weber, Shelbi Davenport, James Meadours, Anand Iyer, and Adrean Avilla!

Lessons from the Peer Support “Dream Team”

Peer Support Specialists Ashley Sattler, Katie Sheffield, and Lisa Simmons presented with Project Director Cynthia Burrow at The Arc of the US’s 2022 National Convention in November. The session was titled “Building Better Lives Together: Peer Support that Works.” We shared our successes and challenges with a packed room. Many people were already working to bring peer support to their states. Many were excited to start the process.

If you missed our session and want to learn more, visit the Our Resources page and download our PowerPoint presentation under the “Peer Support” category. Or, email Cynthia Burrow to learn more.

Get Inspired in Denver!

The Peer Support Specialists team is presenting at The Arc’s 2023 Annual Convention in Denver, CO this week. Our session is called Building Better Lives Together: Peer Support that Works! We will share our challenges and successes. We hope to inspire others to try peer support.

Our session is Friday, 11/11, at 10:15 AM. If you can’t make it, you can view our slide deck on our Resources page.