Invisable Disabilities
Would you like to learn about invisible disabilities such as Dyslexia, ADHA, ADD, and Autism and how to provide support for your loved one, community member, clients, ect. who may present with these conditions?
If so, we have strategically prepared information for you that is sure to provide cutting-edge, culturally sensitive resources that can immediately be utilized to help your loved one (clients) who may continually be misunderstood, labeled as bad, resistant, obstinate, uncooperative, noncompliant, recalcitrant, confrontational, challenging, and overall "just" unable to fit into social settings. Haven't you struggled with the stigma long enough? Well, help is awaiting you!
We encourage you to attend the Emerging HOPE 12th Annual Mental Health Forum that is being held on Saturday, April 27th from 9-4pm.
Location: Emerging HOPE Family Strengthening Program
3901 Emerald Drive, Kalamazoo, MI
REGISTER ONLINE AT: http://tinyurl.com/mentalhealthforum19
Don't worry, if you aren't able to afford the $35 registration fee, please email your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address to Attention Scholarship Committee: emerginghope@gmail.com
Transpiration a Barrier? The event location is on the Kalamazoo Metro Transit bus line. Egleston Bus - Route 8. The bus starts operating at 5:45 AM and ends at 11:15 PM. Operating days: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
There is ample parking available in front of the building location. There are ample Handicapped accessible parking spaces available. The building handicap accessible and is wheelchair accessible and is barrier-free.
Several years ago I conducted my doctoral research on mental health challenges in urban communities; part of the research addressed the question of how individuals with invisible disabilities are received in their communities. While some disabilities demand recognition via a wheelchair, hearing aid, or portable oxygen tank, others are more subtle, but that doesn't make them any less real. Known as invisible disabilities, these affect 96% of people with mental and/or medical conditions according to one estimate. Caring for a child with any disability presents extra challenges. For the parents of kids with invisible disabilities, those challenges often include the misperceptions of their communities – including friends, family, neighbors, and teachers – that are uninformed at best and hostile at worst. (Mental Health Disparities Among Urban Population, Dr. Pamela Robinson 2017).
Ms. Tamiko L. Garrett, MA will facilitate a presentation entitled “Invisible Disabilities: How can parents/caregivers and service providers assistant individuals with hidden disabilities?”
Tamiko Garrett is a Kalamazoo, MI native. She has over 17 years of experience in the field of Education (K-12 and higher education). She has held positions as a fifth-grade teacher, college instructor, and is currently a field instructor to area undergraduate and graduate students. Ms. Garrett has a passion to assist individuals apart of marginalized populations particularly parents raising children with invisible disabilities because she is a parent of a child with an invisible disability herself.
Ms. Garrett created a program called Parents for Transition to educate parents/caregivers raising children with disabilities (particularly invisible disabilities) about services and supports they may be eligible for, develop realistic goals, and learn how to navigate the K-12 educational system to either higher education, vocational training, or employment.
Ms. Garrett, MA has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership (emphasis on Organizational Analysis), from Western Michigan University and is a Ph.D. Candidate, Educational Leadership (emphasis on Administration), Eastern Michigan University
Presentation Description:
In this presentation, participants will learn about conditions that are considered invisible (hidden) disabilities, the negative stereotypes that are associated with individuals who have invisible disabilities, and why there is so much hesitation to provide services to individuals with invisible disabilities. Participants will experience a day in the life of a person with an invisible disability and how parents/caregivers and service providers can assist and support individuals with invisible disabilities.
Tamiko Garrett is a Kalamazoo, MI native. She has over 17 years of experience in the field of Education (K-12 and higher education). She has held positions as a fifth-grade teacher, college instructor, and is currently a field instructor to area undergraduate and graduate students. Ms. Garrett has a passion to assist individuals apart of marginalized populations particularly parents raising children with invisible disabilities because she is a parent of a child with an invisible disability herself.
Ms. Garrett created a program called Parents for Transition to educate parents/caregivers raising children with disabilities (particularly invisible disabilities) about services and supports they may be eligible for, develop realistic goals, and learn how to navigate the K-12 educational system to either higher education, vocational training, or employment.
Ms. Garrett will be graduating in April 2019 with her doctorate degree from Eastern Michigan University in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Administration. Her research interests are parents/caregivers raising children with invisible disabilities and how cultural/social differences may affect a child’s learning.
We look forward to your participation.
Sincerely,
Curtis and Dr. Pamela Robinson, Sr.
Emerging HOPE Family Strengthening Program
All the proceeds from this event will be use for the Emerging HOPE Summer Scholarship Program for Urban Youth.
