The Heller School for Social Policy and Management
National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities

Past Webinars

Webinar Poster: Disabled Parents in the NICU
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Disabled Parents in the NICU

June 7, 2022 at noon EDT

What can happen when a parent with a disability faces a lengthy stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with their baby? This webinar featured two disabled parent panelists (Kristie Lewis and Patrick Cokley) whose babies were born prematurely and were admitted to the NICU. The panelists shared their stories about the challenges and successes they encountered during that time when navigating an environment that is not at all built with disability in mind. Our parent panelists also explored the role that implicit bias and ableism may have had in interactions with their babies' care team, and in parenting their babies in the NICU. Our faculty speaker, Dr. Paige Church of Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, spoke about the ingrained nature of implicit bias within the NICU, how this can adversely affect families, and how we can better care for families headed by disabled parents during this most vulnerable time.

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Black, Disabled, Deaf, & Proud

Date: March 30, 2022

Featuring: Heather Watkins, Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu, and Earl Allen

Facilitator: Linda Long-Bellil

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The Role of Disabled and Deaf Fathers in the Family

Date: September 28, 2021

Featuring: Kevin Irvine, Earl Allen, and Dominick Evans.

Facilitator: Linda Long-Bellil, PhD, JD

 

State-of-the-Science Teleconference
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Perspectives of Parents with Disabilities: Reflections from Advisory Board Members of the National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities

Date: June 16, 2021

Featuring: Nicole Lomerson, Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu, and Maureen Martowska

The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities presents its State-of-the-Science teleconference, including discussions about peer support, the child welfare system, and other topics about disability, parenthood, civil rights, and self-advocacy. This is the third of three webinars. 

State-of-the-Science Teleconference
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Reimagining a Child Welfare System That Works for Parents with Disabilities and Their Families

Date: June 9, 2021

Featuring: Robyn M. Powell, PhD, JD; Liz Lightfoot, PhD, MSW; and Sarah Lorr, JD

The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities presents its State-of-the-Science teleconference, including discussions about peer support, the child welfare system, and other topics about disability, parenthood, civil rights, and self-advocacy. This is the second of three webinars. 

State-of-the-Science Teleconference
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Peers Have Much to Offer Parents: Leveraging the Benefits of Lived Experience

Date: June 2, 2021

Featuring: Joanne Nicholson, PhD; Anne Whitman, PhD, Certified Peer Specialist; and Sandra Whitney-Sarles, MS, Peer Consultant

The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities presents its State-of-the-Science teleconference, including discussions about peer support, the child welfare system, and other topics about disability, parenthood, civil rights, and self-advocacy. This is the first of three webinars. 

Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu
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Coping with COVID: Parenting with a Disability during a Pandemic 

Date: January 26, 2021

Featuring: Kara Ayers, Nicole Lomerson, and Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu 

Kara Ayers, Consultant
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Supporting the Lives of Children of Disabled Parents

Date: Thursday April 2, 2020

Time: 2:00-3:00pm EST

Presenters: Erin E. Andrews, PsyD, ABPP & Kara B. Ayers, PhD; Co-Founders of the Disabled Parenting Project

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Passing State Legislation to Protect the Rights of Parents with Disabilities

Date: Monday July 27, 2020
Time: 3:00pm EST

Presenters:
Robyn Powell; Kimberly Tissot, Executive Director of Able South Carolina; and Senator Sara Gelser (Oregon)

 

Laura Stout
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Little People and Parenting

Today's LP Parenting Perspective: Parenting from newborn to young adults

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Time: 12:00-1:00pm EST

Presenters: Laura Stout, Kelly Lee, Francisca Winston

This program was Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886742820-4685) for 1 continuing education contact hour.

Linda Long-Bellil, Co-Investigator
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Making the Most of Early Intervention (EI) Services

Presenters: Linda Long-Bellil, Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu, MA Nicole Lomerson, MPH, Patti Fougere, BA, MBA

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

This webinar described how early intervention (EI) services can support families when one or more parents has a disability. It provided an overview of the key principles guiding EI services and the types of services that EI programs provide. This webinar also included real-life stories from parents with disabilities about how EI services benefited their families. 

This program was Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886742820-1248) for 1 continuing education contact hour.

 

Linda Long-Bellil, Co-Investigator
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MAXIMIZING MOTHERHOOD WITH TECHNOLOGY:

Personal and Professional Perspectives on Using Technology to Support Parenting

A Webinar in Recognition of Mothers’ Day

Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 12:00-1:00 pm EST

Facilitator: Linda Long-Bellil

Parents & prospective parents learned about how technology can be used to support parenting with psychiatric and physical disabilities. The speakers shared their personal and professional experiences about the use of online apps and equipment that can be used “off the shelf” or which can be adapted to meet a family’s needs.  Social Workers learned directly from parents with disabilities about their needs and the technologies and equipment available to support their parenting.

 

Robyn Powell, Co-Investigator
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Disability Rights and Parenting with a Disability

Wednesday April 17, 2019 at 2:00-3:00pm EST

Presenter: Robyn Powell

This webinar discussed how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the rights of parents with disabilities. Parents and prospective parents with disabilities learned about disability rights laws and their application to the child welfare system, family law, adoption and foster care, and reproductive health care. Social workers and others who support parents with disabilities gained an understanding of the rights of parents with disabilities as well as how to ensure these families are afforded their rights.

 

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Peers Support Parenting Well

Presenters: Joanne Nicholson, Rob Walker, Anne Valentine

January 29, 2019 at 2:00-3:00pm EST

Peer supports may be particularly relevant and useful to parents with psychiatric disabilities. The purposeful disclosure of shared lived experience, combined with practical knowledge and systems expertise contribute to relationship engagement and inform ongoing conversations as peers partner with parents to meet needs and address goals. The proposed model of parent peer supports includes four core elements: engage, explore, plan, and access/advocate. Creating organizational capacity and coping with challenges in providing peer supports will be discussed, with recommendations for training, coaching and on-going support for peers and parents. The ParentingWell practice approach will be introduced as a model for shifting the system’s paradigm to a family focus in adult mental health services.

 

Michael Bullis, Consultant
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Blindness and Parenting - Myths, Challenges and Practical Advice

Presenters: Michael Bullis, Melissa Ann Riccobono, Imani Graham

February 21, 2019 at 1:00-2:30pm EST

Three blind parents discuss the how-to’s of parenting with vision loss.

  • What are the practical alternative techniques parents who are blind use to do what would otherwise be done with sight?

  • From infancy to young adult-hood, Melissa Riccobono, Imani Graham and Mike Bullis,  explain everything from changing diapers, feeding and dressing to schools, homework and transportation.

 

Robyn Powell, Co-Investigator
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Know Your Rights: Advocacy Strategies for Parents with Disabilities

Facilitated by Robyn Powell, MA, JD

July 24, 2018

In recognition of the 28thanniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this webinar focused on the rights of parents and prospective parents with disabilities. Presenters provided a brief overview of disability rights laws, and their application to families. Based on their own experiences, presenters shared advocacy strategies for ensuring accessibility throughout the community, such as in schools and health care facilities. Social workers, and others who support parents with disabilities, will gain an understanding of these families and their rights by learning directly from parents with disabilities about their needs and experiences.

 

For Parents

Know Your Rights: Advocacy Strategies for Parents with Disabilities

  • Know Your Rights: Advocacy Strategies for Parents with Disabilities

    Photo of Robyn Powell 

    Facilitated by Robyn Powell, MA, JD

    Panelists:

    Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu, Julie Kegley, and Julie Petty 
      

    Tuesday July 24, 2018 at 2:00-3:30pm EST

    Webinar Recording

    In recognition of the 28thanniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this webinar focused on the rights of parents and prospective parents with disabilities. Presenters provided a brief overview of disability rights laws, and their application to families. Based on their own experiences, presenters shared advocacy strategies for ensuring accessibility throughout the community, such as in schools and health care facilities. Social workers, and others who support parents with disabilities, will gain an understanding of these families and their rights by learning directly from parents with disabilities about their needs and experiences.

    This program was Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval #: 886742820-3476) for 1.5 continuing education contact hour.

Deaf Parents' Approaches to Parenting

  • Deaf Parents' Approaches to Parenting

    John Pirone Mike McKee

    Presenters: John Pirone & Mike McKee

    Friday June 8, 2018 at 1:00-2:30pm EST

    Webinar Recording

    Deaf parents and prospective Deaf parents learned about approaches to parenting with regard to communication/language, community engagement, and technology. Deaf parents and prospective Deaf parents also learned about how to work with their child's health care providers, how to raise a healthy and happy child, considerations regarding immunizations and safety, as well as challenges and strategies. Social workers will learn about the needs and experiences of Deaf parents from experts in the field who are members of the D/HH community.

    This webinar was presented in ASL. 

    An ASL to English interpreter and CART services were available.

Raising Our Girls: Stories from Mothers with Disabilities and Daughters Who've Been There

  • Raising Our Girls: Stories from Mothers with Disabilities and Daughters Who've Been There

    Linda Long-Bellil Higgins Family Ladau Family

    Facilitated by Linda Long-Bellil, PhD, JD

    Panelists:

    Andrea Higgins and her daughters, Jackie Higgins Guzman & Nikki Higgins

    Ellen Ladau and her daughter Emily Ladau

    Tuesday May 8, 2018 at 12:00-1:00pm EST

    Webinar Recording

    Parents and prospective parents with disabilities learned about considerations for pursuing motherhood, strategies used by mothers with physical disabilities to raise their children, the perspectives of adult children of mothers with disabilities and resources for parenting with a disability. Social Workers learned directly from parents with disabilities about their needs and experiences. 

    This program was Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886742820-8595) for 1 continuing education contact hour.

For Prospective Parents

How Prospective Parents with Disabilities Can Prepare for Parenthood

  • How Prospective Parents with Disabilities Can Prepare for Parenthood

     

    Kara Ayers, Ph.D. and Erin Andrews, Psy.D., ABPP

    Wednesday April 11, 2018 at 1:00-2:00pm EST

    Webinar Recording

    This webinar focused on strategies for prospective parents with disabilities to prepare themselves and their families for parenthood. Presenters discussed the initial considerations of conception and adoption, and explore preliminary consultation in order to identify disability affirmative service providers. Participants learned how to identify peer support among disability parenting communities to utilize for advice and support. The early identification of adaptive parenting tools and resources was emphasized.

    This webinar is for people with disabilities who want to become parents. We talked about ways to prepare for parenthood, including:

    • Pregnancy and adoption
    • Scheduling a family planning appointment
    • Finding disability-friendly service providers
    • Creating a support network with disability parenting communities

    Learning Objectives:

    After participating in this webinar, participants will be able to

    1.     Identify a variety of adaptive parenting tools and resources

    2.     Research and select a disability-friendly provider

    3.     Locate and access disability parenting communities and the benefits they provide

    4.     Understand the advantages of family planning consultations and identify topics to discuss during the visit

For Social Workers

Family Mental Health Begins with Parents

  • Family Mental Health Begins with Parents

    Photo of Joanne Nicholson

    Joanne Nicholson, Ph.D.

    Wednesday March 14, 2018 at 2:00-3:00pm EST

    Webinar Recording

    Many parents experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. Likewise, the majority of individuals living with mental illnesses are parents. Families are the focus of mental health promotion, mental illness prevention, treatment & rehabilitation. Social workers will learn about different types of interventions for parents with mental illness and their families, the advantages of leveraging access to mainstream resources, and the need to enhance existing practices to make them parent-informed and family-focused. Recognize the importance of parenting and families in promoting community inclusion, and the contribution of community inclusion to rehabilitation and recovery.

    This program was approved by the National Association of Social Workers (approval # 886742820-6832) for 1 continuing education contact hour.

Working with Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families: Strategies and Solutions for Social Workers

  • Working with Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families: Strategies and Solutions for Social Workers

    Robyn Powell, MA, JD

    Tuesday November 14, 2017 at 3:00pm-4:00pm EST

    Webinar Recording

    This free webinar with Robyn Powell, MA, JD  provided information about how to best work with parents with intellectual disabilities and their families, including the definition of intellectual disabilities, background information on parents with disabilities, the application of disability law in the child welfare system, strategies for supporting families, and how to conduct accessible and appropriate parenting assessments. Continuing education credits were be provided by NASW.

Working with Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families: Strategies and Solutions for Social Workers

  • Working with Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families: Strategies and Solutions for Social Workers

    Robyn Powell, MA, JD

    Wednesday September 27, 2017 at 2:00pm EST

    Webinar Recording

    Learn about how to best work with parents with intellectual disabilities and their families, including the definition of intellectual disabilities, background information on parents with disabilities, the application of disability law in the child welfare system, strategies for supporting families, and how to conduct accessible and appropriate parenting assessments.

    This program was approved by the National Association of Social Workers (approval # 886742820-6926) for 1 continuing education contact hour.

For Mental Health Practitioners

The ParentingWell Practice Framework: Having Conversations with Parents about Mental Health, Wellness, and Family Life

  • The ParentingWell Practice Framework: Having Conversations with Parents about Mental Health, Wellness, and Family Life

    Joanne Nicholson stands smiling

    Joanne Nicholson, PhD
    Kelley English, PhD, LICSW

    Monday June 11, 2018

    Webinar Recording

    Learn rationale for talking with parents about family life, mental health and recovery, common misconceptions about these topics, key questions to ask in conversations about parenting and wellness, potential challenges for implementation in your practice, and ways to overcome those challenges. 

For Attorneys

Representing Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families: Strategies and Solutions for Attorneys

  • Representing Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families: Strategies and Solutions for Attorneys

     

    Robyn Powell, MA, JD

    Wednesday February 21, 2018 at 2:00-3:00pm EST

    Webinar Recording

    Learn about how to best work with parents with intellectual disabilities and their families, including the definition of intellectual disabilities, background information on parents with disabilities, the application of disability law in the child welfare system, recent case law, information about accessible and appropriate parenting assessments, and strategies for representing parents with intellectual disabilities and their families. 

In the Media

Parents With Disabilities Face Obstacles To Keep Their Children

  • Parents With Disabilities Face Obstacles To Keep Their Children

     

    Thursday January 18, 2018 at 4:30pm EST

    Robyn Powell was on Wisconsin Public Radio discussing the obstacles parents with disabilities face to keep their children. Listen to the interview!

    From WPR: Parents with disabilities are disproportionately involved in the child welfare system compared to non-disabled parents. They're also more likely to have their parental rights terminated once involved. In October, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of five parents who feel they have been discriminated against by New York's Administration for Child Services. We take a look at the issue with our guest.

There's a lot of Pressure on Mothers to be Perfect

  • There's a lot of Pressure on Mothers to be Perfect

    Robyn Powell was featured in a video by Divided States of Women in January 2018 about the pressures mothers with disabilities face in everyday life.  Watch the video!

Did you know?

There are 26 states with legislation either passed or pending that supports parents with disabilities. Check out our interactive map to learn more!