Category: About This Blog


Jul
2013

And the Blog goes on

categories: About This Blog

With the changing of seasons, it is also time for change at INDEX. After three years as the Blog Editor, I will be leaving INDEX and moving on.

In the beginning

When first approached by INDEX to coordinate their new blog, I had no idea what a blog was; I had only heard the term. But since I loved to write, I thought it would be fun and maybe a new challenge. I was also encouraged by the staff at INDEX who were genuinely excited about the new venture.

I just never realized in the process how much I would learn.

The stories

There were the family members sharing their experiences of anguish and triumph. The community organizations addressing challenges with creativity and a commitment to change.

And most important, there were the people with disabilities themselves who inspired us with their personal stories. I may have worked in the field for over 30 years, yet I am still humbled by the perseverance and ability of those who truly make a difference.

With gratitude

To our guest bloggers and all those who were interviewed, my sincere appreciation. To the staff at INDEX who were such a pleasure to work with, you will be missed.

To you, the readers, thanks for listening.

Over the summer the Blog will go on hiatus with a new format introduced in the fall.

See you then.


Jan
2012

A Note About our Blog

categories: About This Blog

Happy New Year!  At the beginning of the year, we would like to acknowledge our guest bloggers for their contributions  over the past year. Through their personal stories and shared experience we learned of the many challenges faced for people with disabilities. Yet at the same time, we were inspired by the many successes and victories won.

I’d like also to take this opportunity to thank our Blog Coordinator, Susan Crossley.  Sue has done a great job working with our guest bloggers and taking a role as blogger herself. I also want to thank Becky Olsen of the INDEX staff for her work on the blog.

Finally we  want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been following the blog.  We welcome your comments and hope that you will continue to follow us and join in the conversation so that this is truly an interactive experience.

Our gratitude to you all.

We will be taking a break from blogging for the month of January. We look forward to February when our weekly blogs will begin again with guest bloggers scheduled throughout the coming year.  Please stay tuned!

 


Sep
2010

5 Reasons Why We Need Another Disability Blog

categories: About This Blog


As budget cuts wreak havoc on services for people with disabilities, we have a choice.

We can continue to advocate for more funding.  Another option is to really listen to one another and learn what supports do exist.

At New England INDEX we choose the second option. As a  respected leader in providing information and resources to the disability community,  we are now offering a venue for people to give  suggestions and share their personal experiences in regards to the resources we write about.

Thus our blog begins.

And our Blog Coordinator is…

My name is Sue Crossley and I am the Blog Coordinator, which basically means I will either be writing the blogs or editing those written by others.

I have over 30 years of experience working for people with disabilities and their families during which time I learned a few important lessons.

  1. A person with a disability is very capable of choosing their own dream.
  2. To reach that dream in life, whether you have a disability or not, you need support to be successful.
  3. The people who support you may be your family or paid staff from an organization that only serves people with disabilities.

But they also must include people from your community who realize that you have something to offer

I have seen many people with disabilities reach their dreams, including home ownership, because people in their communities supported them.

As Blog Coordinator, I want to find the people and programs in your community who want to help others reach their dreams.

A Blog like no other

Five hands coming together like spokes of a wheel

Our blog will be unique for five reasons.
1. A different topic will be presented each month based on what you have been researching on our website.
2. Your stories will be shared so that we can learn what resources have truly made a difference in supporting people with disabilities in the community
3. Exemplary programs will be highlighted each month, programs that may not just serve people with disabilities, but rather the community at large
4. Guest bloggers will be introduced frequently to share diverse opinions and experience
5. Most important, this blog will provide an opportunity for you to become empowered by learning what is working in your community.

Know your community despite cuts

We all stand together at a crossroads as budget cuts are impacting the life of everyone in our state. At the INDEX we believe that our communities still provide a wealth of resources regardless of funding and we need to learn more about these resources together.

Our blog begins next week with the topic of holiday assistance.

We look forward to hearing from you.