Development of a Communication Class Curriculum for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

This project involves creating a comprehensive communication curriculum tailored for young adults with developmental disabilities. The curriculum will focus on enhancing both verbal and non-verbal communication skills, social interaction, and practical communication strategies for real-world settings. The goal is to empower students to communicate effectively in personal, educational, and professional environments.  Objectives:   Curriculum Development: Design a communication class curriculum that addresses the specific needs and learning styles of young adults with developmental disabilities.  Inclusive and Accessible Materials: Create accessible, engaging teaching materials that incorporate multiple forms of communication (e.g., verbal, visual, and assistive technologies).  Skill Development: Focus on building foundational communication skills such as listening, speaking, social interaction, and non-verbal cues.  Real-World Applications: Include lessons that help students apply communication skills in daily situations, such as navigating public spaces, using communication devices, and interacting with peers and authority figures.  Evaluation and Feedback Mechanisms: Provide strategies for assessing student progress and adjusting the curriculum based on individual needs and feedback. 

Developing an Arts and Crafts Curriculum for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

This project involves the creation of a comprehensive, and inclusive Arts and Crafts Curriculum tailored to the needs of young adults with developmental disabilities. The curriculum will focus on promoting creativity, fine motor skills, self-expression, and social interaction through a range of accessible and adaptive art activities. It will incorporate various art forms, materials, and techniques, while being sensitive to the unique learning needs of the participants. Objectives: Develop a Comprehensive Curriculum: Design a series of structured, yet flexible lessons that encourage creativity and engagement among young adults with developmental disabilities. Incorporate Adaptive Techniques: Ensure that the activities can be adapted for individuals with varying abilities and motor skills, promoting inclusivity. Foster Self-Expression and Communication: Include activities that encourage participants to express themselves and communicate through art. Promote Social Interaction: Design group activities that encourage teamwork, cooperation, and social engagement. Ensure Accessibility and Safety: Ensure that all materials, tools, and processes are safe, easy to use, and accessible to participants with physical or cognitive limitations.

EmpowerED Prototype: Real-World Learning Platform for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Resilient Hearts Inc. seeks to develop EmpowerED , an accessible online platform for young adults with developmental disabilities to build essential life and social skills. This project will focus on creating a foundational prototype with core interactive features and a user-friendly, accessible design, laying the groundwork for future, more comprehensive development. Project Objectives: Develop a Basic Prototype : Create a functional prototype that demonstrates key platform features (interactive modules and a simple community forum). Prioritize Accessibility : Implement accessible design principles to make the platform easy to use for individuals with developmental disabilities. Interactive Modules : Build at least one interactive life skills module to demonstrate platform functionality. Feedback Collection : Collect feedback from stakeholders for future improvements and document key insights.

Development of a Self-Advocacy Curriculum for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

This project involves creating a self-advocacy curriculum for young adults with developmental disabilities, tailored to empower them with skills to express their needs, make decisions, and navigate various aspects of their lives. The curriculum will focus on teaching self-awareness, communication skills, rights, responsibilities, and the tools necessary to advocate for themselves in personal, educational, and vocational settings.  Objectives:   Curriculum Development: Design a comprehensive self-advocacy curriculum that includes lesson plans, activities, and resources specifically adapted for young adults with developmental disabilities.  Enhance Communication Skills: Create strategies that teach students how to effectively communicate their needs, preferences, and choices.  Focus on Rights and Responsibilities: Help students understand their legal and personal rights and responsibilities in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, and social settings.  Real-World Application: Provide practical tools and scenarios for students to practice self-advocacy in real-life situations.  Interactive Learning: Develop engaging, hands-on activities that are accessible and encourage participation and interaction.