News
Indiana Resource Network: Indiana DOE Selects HANDS as State Autism Resource Center
We are proud that HANDS in Autism has been designated as one of the six resource centers making up the Indiana Resource Network (IRN) established by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). The Indiana Resource Network (IRN) has been established to assist schools in supporting the education of students with special needs. HANDS has formed partnerships across the state to accomplish the goals listed below.
The goals of our resource center are as follows:
The mission of HANDS is to continually evolve a model system of training that will facilitate the development of local capacity within school districts and communities in serving individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders. To assist in reaching this goal, local community cadres (LCCs) will be developed in self-selected communities to extend connections and networks and expand capacity to train more broadly statewide. Local community cadres will be established particularly in locales in which partnerships between school, parent (IN*SOURCE), and medical groups (IU School of Medicine/Clarian Health Partners) can be readily established along with specialist teams that have been identified at both Ball State University and Blumberg Center/Indiana State University. With this approach, benefits to students, families, schools, and other consumers include provision of consistent information across systems and care providers, exportability and exposure of information in even the most remote areas, accessibility to University specialists with background and experience to support individualized needs of schools and local communities, and flexibility with respect to format options (i.e. online and live opportunities provided at both local and state-wide levels).
HANDS in Autism seeks to continually build on existing foundations of knowledge and services to provide increasing levels of professional development and support for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Professional development materials and activities will be based on the unique needs of each LEA and community established through an assessment of needs. The diversity of options available in training content and format will allow for ongoing flexibility in tailoring materials and activities to the particular needs and/or interests established within each community.
For more information please go to: www.handsinautism.org . Feel free also to contact us at hands@iupui.edu or 317-274-8162 option 0.
What do you think of our new website design?
We are very excited to bring you our website with a brand new look, increased accessibility, and more practical tools. The redesign has made our website more accessible according to the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This includes increased compliance with screen readers, providing plain text options for all online information, transcripts for audio and video included on our site, as well as many other improvements for individuals with visual, aural, physical, and cognitive disabilities. Along with improved access, we will also be bringing you more practical tools and video clips of various techniques and events. Please check back throughout October to see new additions to the site, including more pictures, samples, and video!
To send us your comments and suggestions, please contact us at hands@iupui.edu.
Dr. Swiezy speaks out
Read her letter to the editor in response to the student with an ASD who was tased at school.
