Building Networks for a ‘Good Life,' Even After the Caregiver Is Gone

Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development provides classes and studio space for artists with disabilities. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organization now offers six hours of daily virtual services to the 67 artists it serves, including sculpting, drawing, ceramics, and fashion making classes. Social activities, like bingo, cooking, meditation, and movement classes, are also offered online. The programming keeps the artists connected during the isolation of the pandemic and staff regularly text and call the artists who opt out of the virtual programming to maintain that connection.

What began as an individual project for a family adapting toys for their children with disabilities to use and communicate with has turned into a global non-profit operation. With a dedicated volunteer base and a frugal idea to make toys more accessible, those with disabilities across the world have been able to receive toys that are both fun and accessible.

Washington D.C. struggles with the highest incarceration rates in the nation that already imprisons more people than any other country in the world. But a few determined individuals, including ex-offender Juan Reid, are working to break the cycle by empowering former inmates to join their business cooperative, Tightshift, catered specifically to those reentering the system by providing job training and paid work, as well as critical emotional healing and support.

Overwhelmingly, individuals who have been incarcerated will spend the rest of their lives dragging in-and-out of prison, with few resources to help break the cycle and get them back on their feet. But one program called "New Leash on Life" stands out for helping dramatically slash recidivism rates for inmates in Pennsylvania prisons by teaching inmates to train and care for formerly "un-adoptable" rescue dogs, building empathy, job skills, and giving both human and dog a second chance at life.

A new online course called REST provides volunteers in Illinois with the necessary skills and a certification to provide short term care for people with disabilities, allowing for their loved ones and long-term caregivers to take much-needed rest breaks and rely less heavily on state programs for support.

Vermont is one of the most advanced states in the country when it comes to disability inclusion and activism. The state stopped funding sheltered workshops in 2002 and chose instead to send that money to individuals to pursue any career path of their choosing by offering services such as job coaching and transportation. As a result, 61% of people with disabilities are employed within a year of receiving state support. At large, nearly 40% of adults with disabilities work alongside adults without disabilities, which is a rate considerably higher than other states.

Children coming from abusive households are often reluctant to discuss their past experiences. A Mexican foundation is using animated characters to help abused and ill children speak about their lives.

A community-based, early-warning system for flooding in Durban, South Africa, gave community members an early enough evacuation order so that no lives were lost. The system uses information from Weather Service reports to know when and where to monitor real-time local conditions. When a community member or member of the disaster management unit sees the conditions are becoming dangerous, they use messaging apps to warn the community.

Sibshops connect children with disabilities with their siblings through the power of play to prevent the child without disabilities from fading into the background as parents juggle the needs of the other child. Sibshops allows participants to share their experiences, ask questions and offer advice. Studies show Sibshops participants have increased empathy for people with disabilities and better relationships with their siblings. The first Sibshop opened in 1982, and today, there are more than 550 Sibshops across 15 countries.

The Table Community is a safe online space for Nigerians to have nuanced conversations about religion over virtual meetings, something that is frowned upon by most of society in the country.