INTRODUCTION TO MAKING FRIENDS - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

INTRODUCTION TO

MAKING FRIENDS

Resources for Helping People with and without Disabilities Establish Relationships & Friendships

thearcofmass.org/programs/widening-the-circle

/Slide2

PURPOSEThis slide show has been developed as part of the Real Friends Project which is a collaboration between The Arc of Massachusetts and the MA Department of Developmental Services. Its purposes are to help people:

-better understand the benefits of friendships,

essential to ordinary lives.

-explore the variety of approaches that help people with and without disabilities

connect with each other and

-learn how they can locate helpful resources. Slide3

Definition of Friendship

What is a friend? --- We have chemistry! We enjoy each other’s company. We trust, understand, respect and appreciate each other. We like how we feel when we’re together. We are close even when we are apart. We look forward to being together. We commit over some time. We give to each other. We may not give in the same way but what we give and what we receive is of great value to each of us.Slide4

YOU KNOW YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THE INTERNET WHEN…

You're more up to date with friends whom you've never met than with REAL friends.

Slide5

What are the BENEFITS of Friendships Between People With & Without Disabilities? Slide6

Friendships Benefit Individuals With and Without Disabilities By:-B

eing HAPPIER! -Being HEALTHIER!-Being SAFER!-Reducing isolation and loneliness.

-Increasing their self-confidence.

-Being exposed to more perspectives.

-Being part of a larger circle that may lead to jobs, intimate relationships, etc.

-What other Benefits can YOU think of?Slide7

Friendships Benefit Families By:-Providing natural opportunities for respite.

-Opportunity for other family members to connect. Disability often isolates whole families.-Peace of mind knowing that their family member truly BELONGS.-What other benefits can you think of for the family?Slide8

Communities Benefit By:-More opportunities for community members to learn FACTS about various disabilities.

-Realization that people with disabilities are an asset to their community.-What other benefits to the community can you think of?Slide9

What are the

OBSTACLES to Friendships? Slide10

Some Obstacles May Be PersonalDifferences are often frightening to people and can interfere with relationships. Some differences that we need to help people better understand include:

-looking different -using special equipment-communicating in unusual ways-behaving “oddly” -needing assistants (PCAs)

What else can you think of?Slide11

But Most Obstacles are in our Environment and AttitudesBut most obstacles to relationships between people with and without disabilities are in not in the person with a disability, they are in our environment and our attitudes. These include:

-inaccessible places.-segregated living situations, schools, workplaces, recreation programs.

-general feelings of fear, misunderstanding and pity towards people with disabilities.

What other obstacles can you think of?Slide12

There are Several Ingredients Necessary for Relationships to Happen, Including:

Opportunities to CONNECT with othersMaximizing SOCIAL SKILLS

Knowing the FACTS about various disabilities

SUPPORT to initiate and sustain relationshipsSlide13

People Need to be Able to CONNECT With Each Other

This Can Happen Wherever People

LIVE LEARN

WORK

PLAY

Slide14

People Should Maximize Their SOCIAL SKILLSPeople with and without disabilities can learn

Better Social Skills. The better your skills, the more likely you are to have relationships and friendships.But mastery of social skills should NEVER be a pre-requisite for friendships!Slide15

People With and Without Disabilities Should Know the FACTS About Disabilities

There are many Awareness Programs that help people get a better understanding about various disabilities. Understanding makes acceptance and relationships much more likely.Slide16

SUPPORT

May be Needed for Relationships to Develop

Opportunities to Connect, Maximizing Social Skills and Knowing the Facts about various disabilities still May Not be Enough for relationships to develop. Here are some approaches that

intentionally

support relationships and have shown some success:Slide17

All parties can benefit greatly from matches like this

(Big Brother/Big Sister: www.bbbs.org)Slide18

OR THIS:(http://www.pyd.org/)Slide19

Elders with disabilities have much to share with young people (Alzheimer’s Buddies)Slide20

When kids with and without disabilities are friends, they are more likely to have friends as they grow older! (www.arcmass.org)Slide21

Some organizations consciously work to help establish and sustain relationships (Beta Community Partnerships: www.betacomm.org)Slide22

Real friends are critical in high school! (Best Buddies

: www.bestbuddiesmassachusetts.org) http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zC89ipkdGg

Slide23

Citizen Advocacy(www.nqca2012.org)Slide24

Building Futures(http://www.nemasketgroup.org/services.php#toggle_building)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6ZLhSSEoKw&feature=player_embeddedSlide25

Bridges to Faith

(www.bridgestofaith.org)

http://vimeo.com/24737555Slide26

UNIFIED SPORTSSpecial Olympics (http://www.specialolympicsma.org/get-involved/as-an-athletepartner/)Slide27

More Resources

Your Local DDS-Funded Family Support Center

disabilityinfo.org/

mnip

/

db

/

tacr

/

OfficeByAgency.aspx?id

=21

Your Local Chapter of The Arc

thearcofmass.org/about/chapters

Your

Closest Chapter of

MA

Network

of

Information

Providers

disabilityinfo.org/Resources/MNIP/members

New England Index

www.disabilityinfo.org

The Real Friends Project Website

thearcofmass.org/programs/widening-the-circle