The United Way of Midland, in partnership with Senior Life Midland, is hosting a two-day training on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) for first responders and community members. The event will be held on November 14 and 15 at the Midland County Horseshoe Arena, 2514 Arena Trail.
The training will be led by Steve Slack, a DS Ambassador with the National Down Syndrome Society. Slack has extensive experience presenting IDD training across the U.S. to law enforcement, first responders, and court officials. His efforts focus on effective communication and engagement with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to a press release from United Way of Midland.
Slack also is a columnist on disability issues, an instructor with West Virginia University's Country Roads Program, and a consultant for first responders, government officials, and business leaders. He has received numerous awards in Virginia, and serves on several boards, including the WVABLE Advisory Board and the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
The training will provide in-depth explanations and real-life scenarios to improve interactions and outcomes when engaging with the IDD community, including individuals with autism and Down syndrome. The goal of the event is to improve communication with IDD individuals in order to prevent misunderstandings and complications.
Training Schedule:
- November 14 (Thursday): 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- November 15 (Friday): 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Participants can choose to attend the full day on November 14 or the half-day session on November 15. Free lunch will be provided on the first day, and coffee will be available on both days.
Register for the training (https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/f2c84599-4c3f-4e32-bcbb-645f1964fffb). Attendees are encouraged to share this opportunity to increase outreach and impact.
The training is part of the United Way of Midland’s commitment to fostering community engagement and supporting the IDD population through education and awareness.