Month: June 2016


Jun
2016

What is Person-Centered Planning?

categories: Advocacy

circle of people huddled closely together like a team working togetherWhat is it?

Person-centered planning is a tool that can help you move forward with your dreams. It is about what you want to be doing in your life.  It is also about what is most important to you.  Imagine a meeting in which everyone is talking about what you are good at doing.  Wouldn’t that be fun!

How is it done?

There are many ways to do person-centered planning. The first part is identifying what your goals are for the future. For example, you may want to live on your own, get married, and have a job you enjoy. Another important part is inviting people in your life to be part of the planning. You may want to invite friends or family members; such as parents, cousins, grandparents etc. You also might invite neighbors or people from groups you are part of, such as church or other clubs. This is like having your own team. The people on your team will support you.  For example, your neighbor may be in the type of work you want to do.  This neighbor may help you meet people at their workplace.
Here are some commonly used tools to carry out person-centered planning:

  • MAPS
  • PATH
  • Whole Life Planning
  • Personal Futures Planning.

Why is it important?

It is important because all planning about your life should be led by you! You know best what you want to be doing.  It helps to have a team of people who care about you.  It is a great tool that has helped many people identify what they want to be doing and how to do it.
For information please visit: Bethmount.org


Jun
2016

Why Visit a Museum?

categories: Accessibility, Arts & Fun

kids touching baby head sculpturePersons with disabilities can:

  • Learn the past
  • Talk about big and small issues
  • Share ideas
  • Listen to others
  • Make things to share your ideas

The community gains:

  • A place for everyone
  • A place for everyone to learn new things together
  • A place to share ideas

I lead an organization called Our Space Our Place, Inc., an after school program for youth who are blind. We visit many museums. Our students learn about different cultures. They write stories and poems. They talk about the stories in art. They talk about their favorite paintings and sculptures with their families and friends. Taking a tour or making art opens new worlds.
For more information about museum programs for people with disabilities contact:

  • Museum of Fine Arts
    • Hannah Goodwin
    • Phone: 617-369-3189
    • TTY: 617-369-3395 or
    • Email: access@mfa.org

Jun
2016

Nature Play Blog

categories: Arts & Fun

two boys playing on stonesWhat is Nature Play?  Nature Play is going outside to play and explore.  Kids spend more time indoors than ever before. Kids who play outside more often sleep better.  Those who play outside are sick less than those who stay inside.

Nature Play helps kids be happy and creative.  It shows how to solve problems and deal with stress.

Nature play uses the colors, textures, sights, and smells of the outdoors. There are many ways to make your own areas in your backyard! As a mom of five children, here are some cheap ideas that we have around:

  • trees, flowers, and plants;
  • water;
  • sand and stones;
  • seek and finds;
  • music; and
  • bug hotels.

For more information, please see: What is Nature Play?