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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

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year!

We are excited about what is ahead in 2023!

Included in this Newsletter:

Foundations Training Class - Jan/Feb 2023

New semester of Social Groups

Jordyn Zimmerman's ASHA presentation

What STeP Offers


Register today! 

Next Foundations Training at STeP

Q & A Thursdays: 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9

 12:00 noon - 1:00 PM EST via Zoom

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

With a background in speech/language pathology Marilyn Chadwick 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 Facilitated Communication across the United States, as well as Canada, Israel, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Europe. As the Assistant Director of the Facilitated Communication Institute (1992-2010), she has contributed to the development of numerous videos and training materials, organized conferences, and helped develop the FCT standards as well as the trainer curriculum.


Marilyn is currently retired, but continues to teach foundation classes and instruct others to achieve coach and trainer accreditation. She is based out of Syracuse, New York.


The handout package and 1st training video (90 mins) will be sent out a week before the first Q & A, so you'll have plenty of time to watch. Please register as soon as possible.


If the times below don't work for you, let us know so we can refer you to other opportunities to take the Foundations Training course for new facilitators.


We are able to work out trainings for private school/agency groups to meet your staff's specific needs.

THE ONLINE COURSE INCLUDES:

Four pre-recorded video trainings: 60 - 90 minutes each to watch on your own time.

Four LIVE Zoom Q & A Sessions with Marilyn Chadwick - Master Trainer.

Exercises to do at home with each video.

Handouts and Getting Started Materials.

Dates/Times:

Part 1 Q & A Thursday January 19th 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST via zoom

Part 2 Q & A Thursday January 26th 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST via zoom

Part 3 Q & A Thursday February 2nd 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST via zoom

Part 4 Q & A Thursday February 9th 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST via zoom

COST $150

QUESTIONS: Contact Susan Nisinzweig at snisinzweig@abilis.us

Register for Jan/Feb Training

STeP: Supported Typing Program

Our Social Typing Groups

New semester will begin in January and run through April).


Our Social groups meet twice per month (some via Zoom, and local groups may meet in person). Each group is limited to 8 participants to make sure that there is the time and space for meaningful interaction and engaged participation among group members.


Conversations vary each session around a selected topic, question, activity or theme. Strong friendships have developed in these groups. Groups are led by Social Worker/ Accredited Typing Coach. 


Fee is $35 per session

8 sessions per semester = $280


Email snisinzweig@abilis.us if you are interested in joining a social group. Space is limited per group, but new groups may be formed if the need is there.

Individual Coaching Sessions:

Currently we are offering both Zoom sessions and in-person sessions for the typer and their parent, teacher, staff or therapist with one of our coaches.


Coaches availability may vary for in-person sessions, so there could be a waiting period.  




Fee for coaching is $150 per hour.



Contact snisinzweig@abilis.us to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Schools and Agencies


Reach out to us if you are interested in having some training/coaching at your

school or agency.

Monthly Q & A for Facilitators

We have trained many facilitators through our Foundations Training Courses and we would like to offer ongoing support for each of you who completed the course.


Please email Susan if you are interested in being included in a monthly support Zoom call for facilitators. snisinzweig@abilis.us

To read the article about, Jordyn Zimmerman's presentation at the recent ASHA conference click here.


Here is a trailer of a video about Jordyn so you can learn more about her, and understand how remarkable she is!

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.


As soon as we have 10 people on a waiting list we start a new training group.  If you are interested but cannot make the dates for this upcoming class, let me know.


If you would like to learn more about what we offer or schedule an coaching session, reach out to me.

Susan


Susan Nisinzweig

STeP Coordinator

snisinzweig@abilis.us

203 645-6302



Email or call me 203-645-6302 today to schedule a coaching session.

We are scheduling now for January and February.

Individual Coaching with your Typer/Team

Social Group Sessions

Foundations Training for New Facilitators

Monthly Q & A for Facilitators

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.

Sign up to receive the STeP Newsletter
Please visit our STeP page on the Abilis Website - Click Here
For more information contact
Susan Nisinzweig
Supported Typing Program | 203-645-6302 | snisinzweig@abilis.us |