HearthStone of WI

12/13/2025

12/12/2025

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Did you know that you can use "Velcro" buttons for accessible gift wrapping?

12/11/2025

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Check out this gift wrapping method where you can make an easy to peel wrapped present.

Rip wrap is a fun and easy way to open gifts.

12/10/2025

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Did you know that perforated wrapping paper exists to help with accessible gift wrapping? However, it can be hard to find. But, good news you can use a sewing wheel to make your own perforations! Outcomes vary depending on the thickness of the paper, so you might want to try it out on a scrap before wrapping the gift.

12/10/2025

Are you familiar with Able Trek Tours? They offer assisted vacation trips for people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Their 2026 schedule of events begins on page 22.

https://abletrektours.com/special-needs-tours/

https://abletrektours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ATT-2025-26.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawOlstBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFKSjRJbXl5aXlRd3l3dFVHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk2i53ML85nCNh0bONtyCi-4TW9rc-tTHjEVr187Dm5POr0I114rvRP1ebS9_aem_kNOzxxP4lOF0BgG11Fy0xg

12/10/2025

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Check out this accessible gift wrapping method.

How to wrap a gift for someone who struggles to open presents.The festive season is fully underway, and if you are anything like me, you may have picked up a...

12/10/2025

We talk a lot about independence in intellectual disability services. It’s become a kind of gold standard, something people are expected to strive toward, something systems are designed to measure, reward, and chase. But in that chase, we sometimes forget that independence is not the only marker of a full and meaningful life. In fact, for many people with profound and complex disabilities, it may not even be the most relevant one.

Because real life, the everyday, moment-to-moment life doesn’t always show up in big milestones. It shows up in a shared smile across a room, a spark of recognition, a hand reaching out for comfort, a moment of laughter that fills the space between two people.

When we value these moments, we begin to see people differently. We start to notice their presence, their impact, the way they lift us with a glance or ground us with their calm. We stop measuring worth by what someone can do alone. And in doing so, we’re reminded that humanity isn’t defined by independence, but by relationships and the everyday ways we connect with one another.
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ID: Image shows text: Society's expectation of success: Drawing shows a person with profound and complex disabilities sat in wheelchair next to a big trophy that reads "100% Independent Living Champion"

Image shows text: Reality of success: One shared moment of eye contact and a smile. Drawing shows the same person with profound and complex disabilities smiling at their support person. Support person is overjoyed with arms in the air smiling.

12/10/2025

With winter storms hitting we are doing an ongoing Snow Angel connection post! ❄️ 😇 ❤️

PLEASE NOTE: NO ONE should be asking for any sort of payment or any personal information outside of your address!

❄️ Snow Angel Connection Post ❄️
Helping Wisconsinites help each other — one driveway at a time.

As part of our Snow Angel program, we know so many of you want to jump in and help a neighbor who may struggle with snow removal or can’t afford to hire someone. So we’re creating a simple way for YOU to connect with each other directly!

Here’s how it works ⬇️

👉 If you want to HELP someone from this recent winter storm (at no cost):
Comment “SNOW ANGEL – [Your City]”
Example: Snow Angel – Marshall, WI

👉 If you NEED help with snow removal:
Comment “NEED SNOW ANGEL – [Your City]”
Example: Need Snow Angel – Sun Prairie, WI

💙 Important:
Do Good Wisconsin is not pairing individuals or coordinating the shoveling. We’re simply providing a place for community connections to happen. It will be up to each person to communicate and make arrangements directly.

Let’s show what Wisconsin kindness looks like this winter.
Let’s help our neighbors. Let’s show up. Let’s do some GOOD. ❄️💙

SHARE for those in your community! 🙏 askin

12/10/2025

Missed the live workshop last week? Watch the recording, which is still available for purchase with access through January 5th!

Presenters share lived and clinical experience to provide amazing insight and tools for you or your loved ones. Don't have a diagnosis of ASD but suspect you might and struggle with eating? This workshop is for you! Love a child whose sensitivities with eating are impacting their growth? This workshop is for you!

Take time to learn about the factors that contribute to eating disorders such as ARFID, Anorexia Nervosa, and more, why eating disorders commonly co-occur with diagnoses of Autism, and how to adjust treatment and support for neurodiverse brains.

Visit https://www.autismgreaterwi.org/ed-workshop/ to read more about the speakers and to purchase and access the recording.

12/09/2025

Are you enrolled in the Family Care or IRIS programs? Are you interested in helping to improve those services? Check out this research opportunity. You can even get compensation via gift cards for participation.

]📣 HCBS Users Needed for a Paid Research Study!
(Flier attached)

Do you receive Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS)? Researchers want to hear from you! Help improve person-centered HCBS—and get paid for your time.

What you’ll do:
✔️ Short screening call
✔️ 10-minute surveys about your HCBS experience
✔️ Earn $30–$40 per survey (up to $200 total)
✔️ Complete surveys online, by phone, or on Zoom
✔️ Accommodations available

Eligibility:
🔸 Age 18+
🔸 Live in the U.S.
🔸 Currently receive HCBS
🔸 Can participate by phone or internet

👉 Take the quick screener:
🔗 https://redcap.link/hcbsquality

📩 Questions? hcbs-rrtc@sralab.org

Funded by NIDILRR (IRB #: STU00214517).