The Incredible Power of Volunteers
Implementation of IDDSI around the world would not have been possible without the time and dedication of so many global volunteers who have worked to translate IDDSI Framework, Testing Method documents and many of our resources.  In addition, we have many volunteers who have offered to share their expertise and experiences by presenting webinars on a variety of IDDSI topics.
 
The IDDSI Board of Directors would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our volunteers by acknowledging them on the IDDSI website in our new “Hall of Appreciation”.  We will be updating and adding to our list of volunteers on a regular basis so be sure to visit our “Hall of Appreciation” regularly. 
The Second Annual Dysphagia T-shirt Design Contest! 
Hosted by the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders (NFOSD) 

June is Dysphagia Awareness month in the USA and to help raise awareness, IDDSI proudly supports the NFOSD Dysphagia T-shirt Design Contest. NFOSD invites everyone to send in your creative designs and also vote for your favorite designs.  Get your creative juices flowing and find out more about how to submit and vote here.
DYSPHAGIA RESEARCH SOCIETY - A VIRTUAL SUCCESS!

Congratulations to Dr. Nadine Connor and the DRS Conference organizing committee for hosting the recent Virtual Dysphagia Research Society Conference from March 9-12, 2021.  The conference was very well organized and attended by participants from around the globe. Speakers shared exciting new avenues of research in dysphagia. IDDSI had a presence in the virtual exhibit hall and we were pleased and excited to note that the IDDSI framework was referenced in a large number of the presentations.

DRS sponsors a number of awards at the DRS conference and we add our huge congratulations to all the award winners!  We would like to congratulate Xiaojing Sharon Wu on being awarded 3rd place for best oral presentation.  Sharon’s presentation was entitled  “Identifying the barriers and enablers to implementation of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) and provision of Texture Modified Diets (TMDs) in New Zealand age-care facilities.
Introducing the US & Territories IDDSI Reference Group Committees 
We are so pleased to congratulate our USTIRG committees on a strong start in 2021. Kudos to these committees on their progress and plans! 
 
Introductions are undoubtedly in order, so please read on to learn more about each committee and how these teams are working to pave the road to IDDSI success in the US & Territories. 
Meet the USTIRG Committees

Utilization & Guidance, Resource Collection & Development, Research & Data, Implementation & Advocacy, Education & Training, and Communications & Newsletter.

Read more
iddsi.org
We would like to thank our IDDSI USTIRG leaders for their guidance and support as we continue to implement our committee missions. 
IDDSI Reference Groups
Change in email addresses

Each IDDSI reference group has a general contact number where you can communicate with them. The email contacts for these reference groups have recently changed to iddsi.net. For example: Canada[at]iddsi[dot]org is now Canada@iddsi.net
Please update your system to make your Reference Group a “safe sender” so you can continue to receive updates.
Hong Kong
國際吞嚥障礙飲食標準化創辦組織 (IDDSI) 現正招募義工加入新成立的「香港諮詢小組」。歡迎以下或其他相關界別的代表參加：醫療或專職醫療專業、吞嚥障礙患者或其照顧者、食品工業等。各義工不一定需要有執行IDDSI框架的經驗。查詢及報名請電郵至 Hong Kong。

IDDSI is now seeking volunteers to be part of a new Hong Kong Reference Group representing diverse stakeholders including health professionals, dysphagia patients and their care givers as well as food industry representatives. Previous involvement in IDDSI implementation is not necessary. For further information and application, please contact Hong Kong.
Norway
IDDSI ønsker å etablere en norsk referansegruppe, og søker frivillige og fagpersoner inkludert helsepersonell, logopeder, representanter fra matindustrien, institusjonskokker og personer med spise- og svelgevansker eller pårørende til å være del av gruppen. Tidligere beskjeftigelse med IDDSIs retningslinjer er ikke et krav. For mer informasjon, kontakt Norge.

IDDSI wishes to establish a norwegian reference group, and seeks volunteers and professionals including health personnel, speech and language therapists, food industry representatives, care institution chefs, and persons with eating and swallowing disorders or caregivers to be part of the group. Previous involvement with IDDSI guidelines are not a prerequisite. For more information, contact Norway.
Upcoming Webinars
IDDSI US Reference Group Town Hall

Time: Apr 14, 2021 at 01:00 PM in Central Time. Check out this handy tool to see what time that is for you.

Summary: Big things are happening in 2021 to move the United States and Territories closer to full IDDSI implementation! Join members of the United States and Territories IDDSI Reference Group (USTRIG) as they update you on the great work that is being done to ensure all stakeholders have what they need to fully transition. Hear from a multidisciplinary group of panelists who will work to answer all your IDDSI related questions!

Panelists:
Peter Lam; Mary Casper; Mary Rybicki; Laura Brooks; Jacqueline Santacroce; Melissa Naiman; Karen Sheffler; Katrina Woodward; Alla Mehl; Cindy Zemko; Amanda Demane; Margaret Roche; Nicki Barrett; John Holahan; Rebecca Politis.
Transition Feeding and Beyond for Young Children: Expansion of Food Textures

Time: April 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM PST. Check out this handy tool to see what time that is for you.

Summary: Expansion of food textures:
*What do we know about facilitation?
*What do we know & do, that might lead to negative consequences?
*What do we need to know?
*Where do we go from here?
More questions than answers, but questions lead to answers in both art and science. 

Presenter: Joan C. Arvedson, PhD, CCC/SLP, BCS-S, is Program Coordinator of Feeding and Swallowing Services at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She is Clinical Professor in Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin. She has 3 books in publication and numerous articles in peer reviewed journals. Dr. Arvedson is an internationally recognized expert in pediatric dysphagia. She was awarded Honors of ASHA in 2016 and is an ASHA Fellow.

Duration: 60 min including a Q&A period. This session will be recorded and shared at a later date. It has not been pre-approved for CEUs.
Previous Webinars and Recordings
If you missed our webinars, all our webinars are recorded and can be found on here.
Thank you to everyone who has been registering for our webinars! 

If you register and then cannot attend a webinar, PLEASE make sure to cancel so we may open another spot up for someone else.  Thank you very much for your consideration. 
Translations
Did you know?

  • The IDDSI Framework and Descriptors and Testing Methods documents have been translated into 16 different languages! 
  • Slovenian translation is currently up for review 
  • 12 other translations are under progress
  • The full IDDSI Framework Poster has been translated into 5 different languages
  • The Flow Test Cards and Reference Cards have been translated into 8 different languages.
IDDSI in Action
  • Rhode Island Speech and Hearing Association: International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative: Breaking the Mold - Moving Forward with Implementation. April 6, 2021, 6-8 pm EST. Non-members can attend for a fee of $60.00 USD. More info: https://risha.info/april-6-2021-iddsi-ceu-event/
  • German Dysphagia Society (DGD) Conference: April 7, 2021
  • Taiwan Association for Dysphagia (TAD) Assembly: June 19, 2021
  • Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation/World Dysphagia Summit Congress: August 20-23, 2021
Take a look at our Global page to see where different countries are in respect to supporting IDDSI Implementation.
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Interested in starting an IDDSI reference group to help support IDDSI implementation in your country? Contact us.