Building friendships and connections in everyday community life - A workshop with Dr Angela Amado

Friendships. Being known. Being part of the community.

For many people with disability, this is still missing. Even when we are committed to inclusion, we can struggle with how to really make it happen.

How do we support real friendships to happen?

This is a practical, one-day workshop focused on building connections with people with disability and community members.

Being part of community means having relationships, connection, and a sense of belonging. But knowing this, and knowing how to make it happen, are two different things.

This workshop brings together stories, strategies, and real examples to show what works.

Participants will leave with clear, practical ideas to try.

Download the flyer here (pdf)

Download the accessible flyer here (word)

What you will learn

1. Practical strategies to support friendships and community connection.

2. How to identify a person's interests, strengths and gifts.

3. Ways to connect people with community members and groups.

4. The role of staff and others as community connectors.

5. How to support relationships to grow and last over time.

About the Presenter:

Angela Amado has over 40 years’ experience supporting people with intellectual disability to build real relationships and connections in community.

Her experience spans research, direct support, policy, and international consulting. She was previously based at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration and is the Executive Director of the Human Services Research and Development Center.

She is internationally recognised for her work on inclusion, community membership, and building relationships, including her widely used publications on friendships. She has delivered training across the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.

If you'd like a sense of Angela's practical approach, this short guide is a great place to start:

Friends: Connecting people with disabilities and community members

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is for people with disabilities and family members, service providers, support workers, support coordinators, educators, NDIS planners and LACs, friends, allies and community members.

Not in Queensland?

This workshop workshop is being offered across Australia (and in some places under another names). Please go to our partners’ websites for more information:

• Newcastle – 16 June, Hunter Circles

• Parramatta - 18 June - Side by Side Advocacy

• Canberra - 25 June - Imagine More

• Adelaide - 28 June - Community Living Project

• Melbourne - 30 June - Belonging Matters

Cost to attend:

People with disability and family members:

• Standard price for this workshop is $30.

• If the cost is a barrier, please choose the Concession Rate, $10.

• If you would like to support CRU’s work you can choose the Supporter Rate, $50.

Workers, friends and allies:

• The price for workers, professionals, friends and allies is $100.

Every person who attends needs to register.

Due to venue and catering costs, CRU is not able to fully participate in the companion card scheme, however, if a worker is attending to provide support for an attendee with disability, we will offer a reduced fee at the standard rate. 

Using Your NDIS Funding at CRU

For self-managing and plan-managed NDIS participants, you can see the Learning Objectives below to decide if this is a reasonable and necessary support to help you (or your family member) achieve their goals.

Learning Objectives

1. Develop strategies in planning, connecting, and supporting individuals in having more friendships and community involvement.

2. Identify ways of expanding the variety and types of social roles a person holds.

3. Understand the role of staff as “community connectors".

4. Support community members in being friends with individuals with disabilities.

5. Recognise Agency structures which support relationship-building, community connectedness, and valued social roles for the people served.

About CRU:

For over 35 years, Community Resource Unit has been working across Queensland to help people with disability take control of their lives and take their place in their community. 

This event is supported by a Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant for the NDIS.

Please contact CRU if you require assistance to register, attend or participate in this event. 

Ph: 07 3844 2211 or Email: cru@cru.org.au

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