The intersection of aging, ability, and direct support: A documentary film screening and discussion Featuring: “Invaluable – the unrecognized profession of direct support”

The intersection of aging, ability, and direct support: A documentary film screening and discussion

• Featuring: “Invaluable – the unrecognized profession of direct support”

Please join us for a 2-hour advocacy event that includes a full-length screening of the 44-minute video documentary, “Invaluable – the unrecognized profession of direct support”.

This film was produced by the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, in a national effort to bring attention to the complexity of the direct support role, and the value this workforce brings to our communities, economy, and the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) (including older IDD populations and parents).

Following the film, we will have breakout discussions with guided questions to help us learn more about:

• What creates barriers to meaningful services that allow people to live full lives with dignity and provide respite for family caregivers?
• What does not exist in the state of Illinois, that should, to help older persons and individuals with disabilities at any age thrive and live full lives?
• What challenges exist to establishing a sustainable and thriving personal aide/ homecare aide/ direct support professional workforce? How do we overcome these challenges?

Then, join us on Friday, May 6^th at 10-11am for moderated panel discussion exploring the intersection of aging, ability, and direct support with perspectives from a consumer, direct support worker, workforce advocate, and an academic researcher.

Screening presented by DirectCourse, which is a collaboration between Elsevier and the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration.

Hosted by Illinois Aging Together, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group in partnership with Illinois Department on Aging, DirectCourse Online Training, Elsevier, the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration, Access Living, Senior Services Plus, Association for Individual Development (AID), IN CIL, Impact CIL, Aging Care Connections, Care Coordination Alliance, Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, Rush University (and more).

We look forward to learning from you. We will use the notes from this dialogue and the screening session as well as other relevant resources to develop an issue brief for aging and disability in Illinois.

Click here for a shareable event flyer to invite friends, family, and colleagues to this great event!