As we made our way across town to run an errand, the conversation came easy between Emily and her support staff Sheri. Emily talked about her recent back issues, her job search, music preferences and even personal safety. Emily has a quick wit and a keen sense of humor, which was on full display. At…
We want to highlight the great work UCP’s Residential Team is doing in the area of wellness. The UCP Health & Wellness Committee was established in 2021 to create a “culture of wellness” by promoting healthy lifestyles with an eye toward improving outcomes for the residential participants we support. The initiative has six primary areas…
The beauty of Assistive Technology is that its impact results in greater independence for the user. And with that greater independence comes increased self-confidence and, often, the development of enhanced social skills. The result is an all-around better quality of life… for the user and their families.
THE BEAUTY OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT) is that its impact extends far beyond any actual device or piece of equipment. We see it every day with our Changing Hands equipment exchange program. With every piece of AT equipment we recycle comes greater independence for the user. With greater independence comes increased self-confidence and the development…
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. It’s a great selling point for all kinds of products and services. But when it comes to Assistive Technology (AT) equipment and devices… the opportunity to trial tools and technology can be a game changer. Fortunately, that’s the concept behind the two distinct lending libraries that operate out of UCP’s Assistive…
There is a remarkable transformation that has taken place in the life of Christian C since he began living in a UCP home in May 2020. Christian, who is affectionately known to UCP staff as “Chuck” because of his fondness for Charlie Brown, has a handful of diagnoses, primary among them being mild IDD (Intellectual/Developmental Disability) and Autism.
“The approach we’ve taken, the changes we’ve adopted, and the adjustments we’ve made in the home and to his routine all have one over-arching goal: to ensure JT lives the best life possible.”
The author of that quote is Zaire B, Residential Supervisor of one of UCP’s homes in Harrisburg. “JT”—the subject of the quote—is a 28-year-old individual with Autism who lives independently in the home with round-the-clock 2:1 support from a team of UCP staff led by Zaire.
Congratulations are in order… for Morgan, Emily, Dana, and Jenny (l to r above)–the Pathways Academy Class of 2022–who celebrated their program completion and graduation on Saturday, January 22.
The four young women entered the Academy together in June 2020 and spent the duration of their time in the residential independent living program amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that they have successfully completed all the coursework and acquired the life skills needed to live on their own independently speaks volumes about the resilience and heart of these four women.
Anthony Smith is another satisfied customer of UCP’s Changing Hands equipment reuse service, and for good reason. The equipment he received restored his mobility and enabled him to carry on with his life. As the effects of Muscular Dystrophy have taken their toll, Anthony found himself without the muscle strength or stamina to navigate a manual wheelchair. Even worse, in the midst of COVID, he faced the uphill challenge of finding someone to assist him in his search for a power chair.
Each November we make a point of promoting Assistive Technology Awareness Month in general—and UCP’s Assistive Technology Services in particular. We do so because we know firsthand the many ways these devices and services truly do change lives. But the really cool part is being able to share with our supporters the impact this specialized technology can have in the lives of real people using real equipment to do things they otherwise would not be able to do. Today we are excited to feature two such “success stories:”
