Advancing abilities for people with special needs since 1951

Abilis provides vital services and advocacy support to over 700 individuals of all ages with special needs and their families in Fairfield County
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Included in this newsletter:
March Foundations Training
Wretches & Jabberers Film/Q&A
STeP Programs
STeP Article in Abilis Winter Newsletter
(See details below)
STeP: Foundations Training
The next 4 part training will be
March 4, 11, 18 & 25: 7 - 8 PM EST
(Note dates/times changes from last newsletter)
Foundations Training:
An online course for learning the principles of Supported Typing


"The reality of my life is that I need help to be in the world but I don't need help to think."
Eytan Nisinzweig
Presenter:
Marilyn Chadwick has her Masters in Speech/Language Pathology from Easter Nichigan University. She has worked extensively with families, school districts and service agencies supporting the communication needs of children and adults with severe disabilities. She has provided training on supported typing acreoss the United States, as well as Canada, Israel, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Europe.

Marilyn works within a framework of total communication and seeks to build multiple strategies toward a system of effective communication. Her focus in combining supported typing with other methods is to support those who cannot speak to develop speech and to independently access AAC devices for communication. She currently resides in Syracuse, New York.
THE COURSE INCLUDES:
Four 60 - 90 minute videos (emailed to you to watch 6 days prior to Q & A).
Exercises to do at home with each video.
Handouts and Getting Started Materials.
LIVE Zoom Q & A Sessions with Marilyn Chadwick.
View the videos at your convenience, Participate in the live Q & A sessions on Thursdays 7- 8 PM EST, dates following
3/4 - Part 1; 3/11 - Part 2; 3/18 - Part 3; 3/25 - Part 4
COST $150
QUESTIONS: Contact Susan Nisinzweig at snisinzweig@abilis.us
Wretches and Jabberers
Wretches & Jabberers Film Screenings
and
Live Q & A with Tracy and Larry

Sponsored by the
Supported Typing Program (STeP)
at Abilis
Film Screening: Those who register will receive a link by April 1st to view the film online at your convenience during the week leading up to the Q & A.

Q & A April 8th 2021, 1:00 - 2:30 PM EST via Zoom
Fee $12 per person
Pre-registration required.
(If you register but cannot make, I will send you the recording of the Q & A.)
About the Film:
In “Wretches & Jabberers” (2010) two men with autism from Vermont, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette went on a journey around the world to learn about the lives of other people with autism and to change attitudes about disability and intelligence in the countries they visited. Visiting Sri Lanka, Japan and Finland, they experienced the adventure of travel to places with different cultures, languages, and customs. Following the release of the film in 2010, they have spent the last decade traveling around the country to share stories about the making of the film and to educate communities about the importance of presuming competence, communication and inclusion for people with disabilities.
STeP: Supported Typing Program
Our Social Typing Groups continue to meet bi monthly on Zoom.
Super Typing Friends meets on Saturdays at 10 AM
Friendship in Action meets Wednesdays at 4:15
Fee is $35 per session
Individual Coaching:
Currently we are offering Zoom sessions for the typer and their parent, teacher, staff or therapist with very experienced trainers. Contact snisinzweig@abilis.us to schedule an appointment or for more information.
Fee is $150 per hour.
To read an article about STeP from the Abilis Winter Newsletter Click Here
The article is on pp's 18-19 and is titled Abilis' STeP Program Helps Individuals to Find Their Voice Through Supported Typing.
Email or call me 203-645-6302 today to schedule an online sessions with Marilyn and/or Pascal. We are scheduling now for March and April
Individual Coaching with your Typer/Team
Social Group Sessions
Foundations Training for New Facilitators
Feel free to reach out!
Our goal at STeP is to support typers and communication partners/facilitators so that more and more people can find their voice, express their opinions and fulfill their dreams.

Our next training will begin on March 4th. We usually offer a training every other month so let us know if you are interested in learning how to become a facilitator or communication partner. (Register above)

Be well and continue to stay safe. Reach out to me if you have any questions.
Susan

Susan Nisinzweig
STeP Coordinator
203 645-6302
Please share this email with others who may be interested in the Foundations Training for Facilitators
or to recieve future information from STeP.
Our commitment is to build a strong, solid community of typers
and a growing, competent community of facilitators.
Please visit our STeP page on the Abilis Website - Click Here