WRAAA 2010 Conference on Independent Living

Life With Purpose During Innovative Times

Embassy Suites, Independence, Ohio - June 9th & 10th, 2010

Somewhere to Live / Somewhere to Go / Some Way to Get There / Someone to Talk To

Somewhere to Live
Universal Design on a Dime: The basics of innovative home accessibility

Session 1.1

A physician will provide a medical perspective of how simple universal design principals can protect an individual’s overall wellness. A panel will provide attendees with new and innovative perspectives on ways universal design can benefit able bodied persons in addition to persons with intellectual and physical limitations. This session will provide professionals with easy and affordable universal design ideas that can be used in a person’s home to foster their independence. Through discussion, attendees will explore ways that communities and organization leaders can collaborate with contractors to incorporate basic universal design principals in residential communities and in the homes of both the aging and disabled person.

Innovative Community Housing Options

Session 1.2

An interdisciplinary panel will offer three specific innovative housing trends that embrace the demands of those who seek independence. Attendees will come to understand the cutting edge concept of co-housing for the aging and disabled populations. In addition, the panel will provide a local perspective of new developments in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities and Housing First Communities. Attendees will be encouraged to discuss ideas in which administrators of these housing paradigms may be able to collaborate to strengthen innovative housing options and access in Ohio.

The Art of Visiting: How to help individuals visit the places and people they love

Session 1.3

Panelists will discuss multidisciplinary perspectives of visiting. Panelists will demonstrate how individuals have to depend on multiple service and product providers to have successful visits. Attendees will explore the following perspectives: new demands on the construction arena to make homes ‘visitable’; care management models that emphasize the importance of visiting; and how to make visiting in residential / nursing communities comfortable for residents, families and friends.

Somewhere to Go

Benefits of Creating Wellbeing through Participation in the Arts

Session 2.1

A group of panelists will discuss the benefits of how the Arts can positively impact the quality of life of an older adult and person with a developmental, physical, or intellectual disability. The interdisciplinary panel will provide examples of local programs that are available to individuals with disabilities, older adults, families and care professionals. In addition, this session will provide information as to how individuals can access and become involved in existing community art based programs.

Finding Purposeful Work

Session 2.2

A panel of experts will provide an interdisciplinary perspective of how persons with disabilities and older adults have created and contributed to successful businesses. This session will offer attendees with an understanding of how employment can positively impact the quality of life of an older adult and person with a disability. Attendees will be given local resources that will enable individuals to expand their independence through employment opportunities.

Providing Opportunities for Leisure Activities through Technology

Session 2.3

Panelists will discuss the importance leisure activity has in providing purpose to older adults and persons with disabilities. Attendees will be introduced to many different types of leisure enabling technologies available to the older and disabled populations. Panelists will describe innovative activities and technologies allowing home-bound persons to participate in leisure. Resources for accessing technologies such as social networking, web pages and adaptive products will be provided to attendees.

Some Way to Get There

Mobility Management: Innovative solution to coordinating transportation

Session 3.1

Experts will discuss how a Mobility Manager can contribute to help streamline individual’s transportation needs by being a single point of contact to coordinate all transportation. In addition, attendees will be provided templates for developing individual transportation plans that can be used as a foundation towards building a Mobility Management Network. Attendees will be encouraged to identify ways our communities can collaborate to implement mobility management programs within or in conjunction with our existing systems.

Strengthening Volunteerism to Link Individuals to the Community

Session 3.2

Attendees will explore how volunteer based transportation systems can be simple and inexpensive solutions to transportation challenges. An expert from the Independent Transportation Network will discuss how Ride Share programs can foster independent living by linking older adults and persons with disabilities to destinations they would otherwise not be able to reach. Attendees will be challenged to consider ways that they can collaborate to help communities implement volunteer ride share programs.

Be a Better Driver Longer

Session 3.3

This session will introduce attendees to innovative programs and products that enable individuals to adapt their vehicles and driving techniques to their changing needs. Experts will provide insight on how care professionals can contribute to helping older adults and persons with diverse disabilities accept the need to embrace adaptations enabling them to drive longer. Attendees will be given guidance for how to utilize and integrate these resources into their practice.

Someone to Talk To

Companion and Service Animals: More than just providing service

Session 4.1

This session will provide attendees with an innovative perception for how animals can increase the quality of life of an older adult or person with a disability. Presenters will discuss resources for how individuals may access programs that can connect them with an animal appropriate to fit their physical and/or social needs. Attendees will be challenged to consider innovative programs that can incorporate opportunities for individuals to interact with animals.

Building Relationships through Mentoring and Intergenerational Activity

Session 4.2

Panelists will describe how mentoring and intergenerational activity can increase an individual’s quality of life. Attendees will explore innovative ways a community can provide mentoring and intergenerational activity to older adults and persons with disabilities. Panelists will provide resources for how individuals can access existing programs in addition to encourage attendees to consider methods to integrate new programs.

Creating Faith Based Interpersonal Connections

Session 4.3

Panelists will demonstrate how faith based organizations can link the aging and disabled populations to socialization allowing them to build interpersonal relationships. Attendees will explore how faith based organizations can provide social supportive relationships to individuals actively living in the community and those who are home-bound. Panelists will provide resources to attendees that will enable them to help connect families and individuals to existing faith based social activities. In addition, attendees will be provided with information that may enable them to build or strengthen faith based programs that foster socialization.

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
925 Euclid Avenue, Suite 600, Cleveland, OH 44115-1405
Phone: 216-621-8010 or 1-800-626-7277