1. Creating Our CommonWealth… in western Mass
Reflections and Lessons

2. Three years ago… we didn’t really know what we were getting into

3. But we found our way
CCW helped us articulate what was always in our hearts, and learn ways to communicate and embed those values in our work and personal lives

4. My Project

6. Key Components Concrete tools and strategies that families can use
Helping families create a vision and the drive to make it happen
Creating time for parents to help one another develop a vision and next steps
Partnering with other parents with a different life experience
Focus on the How more than the Why
Begin with exercise to help people identify how people meet and the importance of friendships in their life. Watch video to remind people that it is possible for people with and without disabilities to be friends. Discuss research to underline the importance.
If don’t complete worksheets at workshop, probably won’t get done.
Brittany and need for broader diversity of presenters.

7. Reflections & Observations
Parents fluctuate between inspired and exhausted – Need to recruit help from others
The work is never done. Changes in residence, school often mean starting from scratch
Current social/political climate is creating real fear
Need voices of parents who represent diversity of culture and life experience
Educating the general public and building bridges is exhausting for families – supporting professionals can do so much to help with this!
Parents are exhausted, some too introverted. Need to identify gatekeepers and make the ask of other families, community organizations, school, etc
Parents with children of color can be skeptical of finding people who share their values. Need to focus on safety that is created through relationships, identifying potential friends through value-based connections
Every conversation was informed by the audience’s experiences
Educating general public is something we can all do, bit by bit! You wouldn’t believe what people say to our families, even when well-intentioned

8. My Life

9. It Can’t be a One-Sided Conversation!
Shared understanding and buy-in
New litmus test for activities
Setting goals
At Home
Game Club, band
Carpooling
Outreach to other parents
In School
Making the ask – camps, parents…
Finding gatekeepers and facilitators
Inviting others into our lives
In Community
As parents: how do we define friendship? What role does friendship play in our lives? What commitment are we willing to make for our son? How do we find the time and energy? Outcomes: spaghetti dinners, commitment for equal playdates whenever possible, local regularly occurring inclusive activities (less Family Support Center)
With school: how to maximize social opportunities in small windows of time with typical peers? Creating new opportunities (game club), HS play, band.
In community: making the ask – to camps (attending Nonotuck on Fridays), to other parents (Tom Doody).
Gatekeepers/facilitators: PCAs, kids in carpool,

10. Where we are at
Short (but growing) list of kids; still little reciprocation
Working as a team
More friendships between families
Using existing supports more strategically
Still exhausted at times

11. Next Steps Expand Reach of Supporting Friendships
Train other families to present
Create webinar
Work with Family Support Centers
Become bridge builders
Make it a regular conversation

12. The Real Work