Connecting Our Community: Resource Rewind (Disability Supports, Safety, Education & Inclusion)

Описание: In this month’s Connecting Our Community, Christine Brookins rewinds to highlight some of the early conversations that helped shape this series—created to share practical, real-world resources for the disability community.

Since 2021, Connecting Our Community has featured professionals and organizations across healthcare, legal planning, education, safety, wellness, inclusion, and community supports—because the goal is simple: make sure you have what you need. If there’s a resource you’re looking for, drop it in the comments—Christine’s mantra is: “I either have a resource or I will find a resource.”

In this episode, you’ll hear a recap of resources and topics including:

✅ Adaptive fitness & community with Joe Jelinski (Irruption/Eruption Athletics)
✅ Autism supports in underserved communities with Jamie Upshaw (Autism Urban Connections)
✅ Adult life resources & mental health supports with Hanlon Therapy Associates
✅ Nutrition & wellness with Case Specific Nutrition
✅ Adult disability healthcare navigation through UPMC General Medicine’s resources
✅ Vision & developmental behavioral optometry with Dr. Hans Lessmann (Vision Development Institute)
✅ Special needs dentistry with the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
✅ Women’s health care inclusion with Dr. John Harris (UPMC Magee Center for Women with Disabilities)
✅ Disability accessibility & inclusion with Michelle Walker (Lend an Ear Consulting)
✅ Down syndrome education, support, and resources with local Pittsburgh-area organizations
✅ Autism advocacy & support with the Autism Caring Center
✅ Allegheny County DHS / Developmental Supports resources, waivers, eligibility, and supports
✅ Disability inclusion in faith communities (Catholic, Jewish, and Christian leaders)
✅ Special needs legal planning with attorney Christine Brown Murphy
✅ ABLE accounts (Achieving a Better Life Experience) and PA Treasury resources
✅ Behavior basics for families with Patty Maxwell (Engage Kidz) — “tired, hungry, sick”
✅ Safety resources: Special Needs Registry, PennDOT Yellow Dot, Project Lifesaver, and more
✅ Special education & disability rights: IEPs, 504 plans, IDEA, and advocacy resources
✅ Inclusive education programs including Saint Anthony’s School Program
✅ Children’s services & therapy supports via the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh
✅ Special education law guidance with Ruder Law (as referenced in the episode)

📌 Resources mentioned are listed below:

https://www.eruptionathletics.com/

  / aucpghinc  

https://www.hanlontherapy.com/

https://www.casespecificnutrition.com/

https://www.upmc.com/services/primary...

  / lendanearconsulting  

https://www.visiondevelopmentinstitut...

https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Servic...

https://dsapgh.org/

https://engagekidz.com/

https://projectlifesaver.org/

https://www.amazingkids.org/

https://stanthonykids.org/

www.zacbrownlaw.com

www.autismcaringcenter.com

www.ruderlaw.com


👇 Tell us in the comments: What resource do you need right now—school supports, adult services, safety tools, medical resources, or something else?

👍 If this episode helps, please like, subscribe, and share so more families can find these resources.