We are reaching out to creative organizations across the states that support people with IDD, and asking about their experiences with technology use, including hi-low tech (contemporary technology application to manual adjustments) to promote access, inclusion, visibility, and connection. Especially during the time of COVID-19 crisis, we are gathering information on how they adapted or expanded these practices, what are the obstacles and surprised benefits, and how they plan to reestablish their post pandemic practices. Our hope is that this gathered information can be broadly shared among and beyond creative organizations for providing key information to advanced creative practices for people with IDD.
Q: In what ways is creative expression beneficial for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
Yumi: There are so many benefits of creative expression. When I think of people who have communication difficulties, it expands their ability to express, process and share thoughts, ideas, and feelings. These are essential components for people to develop self-identity and confidence, to have equal access to services and membership, and to develop and practice leadership skills. Regardless of disability status, all people need these opportunities throughout their lifespan. I also like the aspects of connection between creative activities and group membership. Group creative activities and projects on a common life theme, provide opportunities for people with different background and abilities to connect, share their experiences, discover commonality and differences, and form new ideas—mutual learning. The best part of being a member or facilitator of an art studio is that we can experience and witness joy of creation which can be a pretty novel thing.
Q: You have other ongoing projects as well, what can you tell us about the NH ECHO Project?
Yumi: Sonoran UCEDD Project I-AADAPT (Identify and Address Alzheimer's and Dementia in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through Prevention and Training) is joining the Arizona Center on Aging for ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network project (AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). The project is funded by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, and led by the ECHO Institute at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. This one-year program, in collaboration with local and national experts, provides training and support to nursing home staff in Arizona on best practices for protecting patients, staff and visitors from COVID-19 infection and spread. In Arizona about 10 % of nursing home residents are younger than 65 years old, a majority of which are individuals with IDD. To ensure appropriate and equitable support is addressed for the unique needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are residing in nursing homes, Dr. Yumi Shirai is joining the weekly virtual learning and resource sharing sessions with other content experts from a wide range of clinical and health education fields (infectious disease control, geriatric, palliative care, quality improvement specialist).
Q: The ongoing pandemic has affected all of us physically and emotionally, how do you approach self-care in your daily life and what are some approaches that you recommend?
Yumi: Without the UCEDD, FCM, and Artworks family as well as my social network, it would be impossible to get through the Pandemic. I try to be honest about where I am at the moment: grateful, unsure, overwhelmed, exhausted, worried, relieved…and to share this with whom I trust. I try to do something totally different from work: walking, hiking, watching our son’s baseball, soccer...I walk daily with a very talkative husband, so we now know most people in our extended neighborhood.
