Lisa Schoenbrodt, EdD
Professor of Speech Language Pathology, Loyola University Maryland
Leah Katherine Saal, PhD
Associate Professor of Literacy & Director of Literacy Graduate Programs, Loyola University Maryland
Often training on providing services or support for people with IDD do not include the input and perspective of those with lived experience. The slogan, “Nothing About Us, Without Us” was first used in English by disability rights activists in the 1990s and is integral to the training that we create and conduct on working with people with IDD.
In our practice, we provide training to a variety of first responder groups on the most effective ways to communicate with people with IDD in crisis situations. When scenario-based training is needed, we work with stakeholders to identify authentic content and scenarios with the critical input of our colleagues with IDD. For panel presentations, we design–collectively with our colleagues with IDD—guided discussion within the training about their experiences. The input of our colleagues with IDD is meaningful and tangibly valued, as they are paid for their time and expertise. The data collected from our many trainings point to the overwhelming impact that the involvement of self-advocate educators have had on presentations. Further, our colleagues with IDD report that their participation has improved their communication skills and ability to advocate in other settings. It is not hard to find enthusiastic people with IDD who are able and willing to share their experiences in a meaningful way…and to be compensated for it. Isn’t it about time that the people we train about have a voice in that training?
