Heather Radcliffe became a Direct Support Professional (DSP) three years ago. Before that she worked for an online clothing retailer in a warehouse. She was looking for more meaningful work, and deep down she knew she would love being a DSP. “My husband, actually, had already been working for SPIN,” Heather recounts,
Technology First SHIFT announced this week that KenCrest has earned their Technology First Reaccreditation. Organizations earning SHIFT’s highest level of recognition complete comprehensive education requirements and undergo a rigorous evaluation process. SHIFT Accredited organizations demonstrate their ability to help people with disabilities live as independently as possible through the successful adoption of
The LifeCourse Nexus is offering two training workshops for those who are looking to build capacity with the LifeCourse Framework. What is the LifeCourse Framework? The Charting the LifeCourse framework was created to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what
It's hot out there!! Did you know that temperatures can impact how well we communicate with each other? Since it’s summertime, let’s talk about heat. When people are overheated, some ways it can affect their communication are: The heat causes physical symptoms, like nausea or dizziness, that make it hard to focus.
ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens caught up with Paul Smith of Lycoming County after a summer bocce ball tournament. Paul, a Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete, saw an ad in the paper and joined the program roughly two years ago. Since then, Paul, with the help of coach Lester Loner and the Athlete
August 6, 2024 between 10 AM and 2 PM ODP and the Temple Institute on Disabilities invites you to join a free event aimed at teaching participants about different types of Assistive Technology (AT). Assistive Technology refers to products, equipment, and systems that enhance learning, working, and daily living for individuals with
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) celebrated Sports & Fitness Month with Erie Athletics, Erie's adult Special Olympics chapter. In May, ODP joined Erie Athletics team members Dion, Mary Ellen, Roy, Nicole, and their coach, Natalie, for track and field practice where they worked on javelin, shotput, standing long jump, and distance
June 25 - July 1, 2024 This week is marked annually in honor of leading humanitarian Helen Keller's birthday on June 27. Being deaf and blind herself, Keller's work made a big difference in the lives of DeafBlind people. What is DeafBlindness? DeafBlindness is a combination of visual and auditory impairments. It
The Pennsylvania Lifesharing Coalition invites you to save the date for the 12th Annual Lifesharing Conference on October 28 and 29, 2024. The conference will be held at the Eden Resort in Lancaster, PA. Building Connections, Building Community, Building a Life... For a Lifetime! The Pennsylvania Lifesharing Conference will feature family friendly
Each Summer the Office of Developmental Programs hosts a Regional Employment Symposium, inviting current and future employers, local education specialists, intermediate units, ODP employment/community participation supports, residential providers, supports coordinators, transition counselors and OVR business liaisons. At the symposium, a panel of employers, job coaches and self-advocates are compiled to share why
