INTRODUCTION TO MAKING FRIENDS

Resources for Helping People with Disabilities Establish Relationships with Others

arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/WideningTheCircle.aspx

PURPOSE

This workshop has been developed as part of the DDS-funded “Widening the Circle” project through The Arc of Massachusetts. Its purposes are to help people to:

-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.

What Does “Friend” Mean to You?

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.

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.

What are the Benefits of Friendships?

Friendships Can Protect Your Health

Loneliness is risky!

Loneliness can lead to higher risk of death, sleep problems, raise blood pressure, increase the stress hormone cortisol, increase depression and reduce feelings of living a meaningful life.

Having high-quality relationships with a few people is one of the keys to happiness and longevity!

What are the Obstacles to Friendships?

Opportunities to Connect

Activities for People With and Without Disabilities

http://www.arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/ActivitiesfromArcherytoZumba.aspx

There are opportunities for relationships between

people with and without disabilities

wherever People… Live

LearnWork or

Play!

Live

Learn

http://www.joltdance.co.nz/about.htm

Maximizing Community Connections

Making the Most of Your Time and the Resources in Your Community

Activity

But Sometimes Things are Not as Good as You May Think They Are…

“Preparing” People for Relationships

“A Tale of Two Bridges” Jack Yates

“Preparing” People with Disabilities

Many organizations offer some sort of Social Skills Training to people with a variety of disabilities and at all ages.

“Preparing” People Without Disabilities

(dis)Ability Awareness Programs

Volunteer readers with age-appropriate books. (Icare: www.thejamiefund.org)

Activities with puppets with disabilities. (Kids on the Block: www.kotb.com

Volunteer visitors with disabilities to classrooms.

(www.understandingourdifferences.org)

“Everyone Needs Friends NOW!” Tom Doody

No one should have to pass some sort of “test” before they are “eligible” to be supported to

meet others and establish relationships.

“Every Chipmunk is a Horseback Rider” Jack Yates

Support May be Needed for Relationships to Develop

Opportunities to Connect and Preparation Still May Not be Enough

Some Approaches use

Person Centered Planning

Thoughtful, personalized planning may be the key to ensuring that relationships and friendships are

deeply embedded in the lives of people with disabilities.

Personal Advocacy & Lifetime Support (PALS)The Arc of MA

https://www.arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/PALS.aspx

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

uilding)

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

Intentional Friends Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLHvL5efl0&feature=youtu.be

Some Approaches use Groups and Associations to Help Relationships Begin

For many people, there is comfort in groups. With support and intention, individual

friendships can be developed from relationships that begin as part of a club,

class, team, association, organization or other group.

Friends are Critical in School!Real Pirate PrideHull High School

Best Buddieswww.bestbuddiesmassachusetts.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zC89ipkdGg

Cultivating Friendships Through Horticulture

Coastal Connections

Bridges to Faith(www.bridgestofaith.org)

Interfaith Connections(karleneshea@mcsnet.org)

http://vimeo.com/24737555

UNIFIED SPORTSSpecial Olympics

(http://www.specialolympicsma.org/get-involved/as-an-athletepartner/)

Club 21Alternatives Unlimited

Some Approaches Begin with

1-to-1 Matches to Establish Friendships

Often times successful friendships are made through approaches that intentionally bring 2

people together, usually--but not always--based on shared interests.

Both parties can benefit greatly from matches like this (Big Brother/Big Sister: www.bbbs.org)

OR THIS:(Partners for Youth with Disabilities

http://www.pyd.org/)

Citizen Advocacy(www.nqca2012.org)

Community of Friends Beta Community Partnerships:

www.betacomm.org

How to Find or Create a Program Near You

More Resources

Your Local DDS-Funded Family Support Center (http://www.disabilityinfo.org/mnip/db/tacr/OfficeByAgency.aspx?id=21 )

Your Local Chapter of The Arc (www.arcmass.org)

Your Closest Chapter of MA Network of Information Providers(http://disabilityinfo.org/Resources/MNIP/members/)

Index (www.disabilityinfo.org)

Widening the Circle Websitearcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/WideningTheCircle.aspx