Photo Credit: Bianca Weatherly | Institute on Disability
Education is more than instruction; it’s about creating learning experiences that open doors and advance inclusion. From university programs to hands-on training, we are redefining what it means to learn. Our faculty and staff push beyond traditional models, designing interdisciplinary programs that center self-advocates, incorporate universal design, and embrace diverse ways of learning.
When education is accessible, inclusive, and innovative, its impact extends far beyond the individuals we teach—it reshapes entire systems, strengthens communities, and drives lasting change.
IOD’s NH Rapid Response Crisis Training and Certification Program Tackles Statewide Staffing Shortage
Three NH Rapid Response Crisis Training participants talk during a monthly in-person seminar in Concord. Photo credit Beth Grosso.
New Hampshire's Rapid Response mobile crisis response teams are on the front lines of the state’s mental health and substance use crises, providing immediate support to individuals experiencing a crisis.
There are, however, two major barriers to community members receiving the support they need: crisis responders’ limited access to high-quality, standardized training and a shortage of crisis response professionals.
To tackle these issues, NH DHHS awarded a contract to the IOD to develop and administer a comprehensive training and certification program for New Hampshire's crisis responders. The new program combines a 15-week asynchronous online course with on-the-job training and mentorship. Upon program completion, the University of New Hampshire issues trainees two digital badges: Level I: Practicing Crisis Responder and Level II: Certified Crisis Responder.
Designed to accommodate those with no behavioral health experience or coursework (Including UNH students), the program has the potential to increase the pool of desperately needed crisis responders. “We have a statewide, nationwide mental health access crisis happening right now, and we need to build a bench of crisis responders,” says Director of Training and Project Co-lead Elizabeth Grosso. “We can't rely solely on master's level clinicians because there just aren't enough of them.”
To delve into the details, check out the full story.
Know Your Rights: Accessing Your Right to Vote on Election Day
While every polling place in New Hampshire is legally required to be accessible to individuals with disabilities, for too many people, access is still an issue. Oftentimes, physical obstacles and limited public awareness of accessible voting options prevent people with disabilities from casting their ballots during election season.
In an effort to clear these barriers, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation awarded $10,000 to the New Hampshire Leadership Series. As one of the Foundation’s 16 beneficiaries promoting nonpartisan voter outreach and education activities in 2024, the Leadership Series used the Know Your Voting Rights Toolkit to raise voting rights awareness. Developed by the Disability Rights Center - NH to host community conversations about registering to vote and accessing the One4All voting machine, the toolkit is available to any voter who requests it.
With the NH Charitable Foundation’s support, the New Hampshire Leadership Series extended its reach throughout the entire state, giving voters of varying abilities and their communities the opportunity to learn about their voting rights, the voter registration process and accommodations available for those with disabilities.
Congressional Hill Visits Successfully Educate Policy Makers
After a successful visit, a group of NH LEND trainees posed for a picture with NH State Representative Chris Pappas outside his office.
In April, NH-ME Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) trainees and faculty traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the Disability Policy Seminar. This annual seminar brings together passionate advocates, including people with disabilities, clinicians and other experts, to learn about key issues and advance the grassroots movement for people with Intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Trainees learned about and discussed key issues with stakeholders from across the country. They also visited Capitol Hill, presenting policy briefs and educating congressional delegates, including Congressman Chris Pappas, on reauthorizing the Autism CARES Act (The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act).
Since its original passage in 2006, the Autism CARES Act has been the only federal legislation created expressly to support autistic people — and it was scheduled to expire in September 2024. The act unlocked $2 billion worth of federal funding for key initiatives, including developing effective treatments, training medical professionals and creating evidence-based resources for families.
Given the rising rates of new autism diagnoses among both children and adults, it was vital that the LEND trainees use their hard-won academic knowledge, clinical experience and personal histories to advocate for the Autism CARES Act.
Expanding Mental Health Training for IDD Professionals
Elizabeth Grosso and Caitlyn Veenstra presented the IDD-MH Professional Development Series poster at the AUCD conference in Washington, DC in November 2023.
Many disability professionals serving populations with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and mental health needs (IDD-MH) require advanced training to deliver optimum care. To address the gap between community needs and clinician resources, the National Center for START Services® offers the IDD-MH Professional Development Series — and professionals are taking advantage of this valuable opportunity to better serve their communities .
Featuring three online courses designed for mobile crisis responders, care coordinators and case managers, and direct support professionals, the series aims to increase professionals' competence and confidence to provide services, support and treatment to people with IDD-MH and their families by promoting evidence-based instruction and best practices.
According to the data, it has been an unequivocal success. Since its 2020 launch, more than 1,300 professionals from nearly every state have completed a course (and counting). As of Fall 2023, participants showed improved understanding across all five objectives in each course, based on pre- and post-surveys. Additionally, enrollment has increased by 80% from 2023 to 2024.
