Advocates in Action Rhode Island

06/05/2026

Exciting news! There's another episode available!

DISABILITY NEWS YOU CAN USE
Sponsored by Advocates in Action RI
Episode 19 - Interview with Arianna, Assistive Technology Specialist

Listen on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here: https://dnycupodcast.riverside.com/

Join us for a conversation with Arianna Bordeleau, Assistive Technology Specialist at Perspectives Corp, and the 2024 RI Assistive Technology Champion.

Arianna shares how assistive technology can help people live, work, and participate more fully in their communities.

She discusses the importance of focusing on a person's goals and needs, explores different types of assistive technology, and explains how 3D printing can create affordable, customized solutions that improve everyday life.

05/27/2026

The next RI Quarterly DD Community Forum is coming up in a couple of weeks!

Join us on Zoom on Tuesday, June 9, at 3:00 pm, and hear the latest news from RI's Division of Developmental Disabilities. And it's a COMMUNITY Forum, so come ask your questions, and let your voice be heard!

Register now by clicking here:

Get the latest news from the Division of Developmental Disabilities at the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH). Join Division Director Kevin Savage and his team on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 from 3:00-4:30 pm as they share information and updates, and...

05/26/2026

Get ready for another awesome podcast from Disability News You Can Use! Enjoy!

Click here to listen: https://dnycupodcast.riverside.com/e/episode-18-interview-with-dr

DISABILITY NEWS YOU CAN USE
Sponsored by Advocates in Action RI
Episode 18 - Interview with Dr. Angela Amado

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Angela Amado. Former Research Associate at the University of Minnesota with 40 years of experience in looking at ways to foster friendships, belonging, and inclusive communities.

We discuss her manual, Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community Members, and her experience in the field, conducting research, developing government policy, and leading international training programs.

05/04/2026

TODAY is the last day to purchase tickets! Get your tickets now!

https://tinyurl.com/2026ConfDinnerDance

04/30/2026

"By Us, For Us: The Power of Peer Support" is one of the afternoon workshop presentations at Trailblazers, RI's 2026 Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference. (Click the picture below to watch a short video about this workshop!)

Register for Day One of the Conference by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2026SAConf

Peer-to-Peer Supports is a new service that’s being rolled out by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. In this panel presentation, you’ll hear what members of the Rhode Island Cross Disability Coalition have been doing to help develop and promote Peer Supports.

Join coalition members as they discuss how their lived experiences can help peers. Some of the things they’ll talk about include information about different DD services, how technology can support day-to-day life, employment, making friends, and more.

https://youtu.be/72eU5-Igg7E

By Us For Us: The Power of Peer Support

04/30/2026

"Supported Decision-Making" is one of the afternoon workshop presentations at Trailblazers, RI's 2026 Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference. (Click the picture below to watch a short video about this workshop!)

Register for Day One of the Conference by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2026SAConf

Supported Decision-Making is an alternative to Guardianships that puts YOU in charge of deciding how you want to live your life.

In this presentation, Crystal Cerullo, Nick Fartura, and Anna Reagle will share a real-life account of someone with a disability using Supported Decision-Making.

Join in to learn how you can use Supported Decision Making, too!

https://youtu.be/BmUrnwkSZDo

How to Speak Up at the Doctor's

04/30/2026

"How to Speak Up at the Doctor's" is one of the afternoon workshop presentations at Trailblazers, RI's 2026 Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference. (Click the picture below to watch a short video about this workshop!)

Register for Day One of the Conference by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2026SAConf

In this session, Molly Smith, a community member with lived experience, will be joined by Brown University medical students Madeline Day and Joanne Lee.

Molly and her co-presenters will share ideas about how to speak up when you’re at the doctor’s office and other medical settings.

You may be the patient, but you’re still the person in charge. Remember, it’s your life!

https://youtu.be/JJ5dWfKAXpk

How to Speak Up at the Doctor's

04/30/2026

"How to Beat Loneliness" is one of the morning workshop presentations at Trailblazers, RI's 2026 Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference. (Click the picture below to watch a short video about this workshop!)

Register for Day One of the Conference by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2026SAConf

We all get lonely from time to time.

In this presentation, Katie Lowe and Bob Macaux will share suggestions and ideas as they lead a conversation about how to beat the blues.

https://youtu.be/Q4Ubb332A7I

How to Beat Loneliness

04/30/2026

"YOU on the Map!" is one of the morning workshop presentations at Trailblazers, RI's 2026 Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference. (Click the picture below to watch a short video about this workshop!)

Register for Day One of the Conference by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2026SAConf

Google Maps is a free online app that you can use to discover and navigate your community.

In this interactive session, PJ Kochan will demonstrate how he used Google Maps to create a personalized community map based on his interests.

Attendees will have the opportunity to share their own interests and discover how Google Maps can help them, too!

https://youtu.be/YbVdc9auhm8

YOU, On the Map!

04/30/2026

"Working for Fun and Money!" is one of the morning workshop presentations at Trailblazers, RI's 2026 Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference. (Click the picture below to watch a short video about this workshop!)

Register now for Day One of the Conference by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2026SAConf

Come hear how Jessica Callison and Audra Johnson have combined their love of pets with their employment goals. They’ll share stories about their job demonstrating Finley’s Dog Treats at Rumford Pet Centers around the State.

Jay McKay & Elvys Ruiz from BHDDH will join this session to talk about how you can use Employment Services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities to support your own career path!

https://youtu.be/lx8CBVyTb4w

Working for Fun and Money!