Building Networks for Life Series: Sharing Strengths and Gaining Respect

We’ll explore loneliness, belonging and meaningful relationships for people with disabilities. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of what it means to belong in a community truly – not simply be present – and leave with practical ideas for building friendships, strengthening social networks, and creating more inclusive opportunities for connection.

At the end of this workshop, participants will:

1. Recognize that people are better defined by gifts than by problems.
2. Seek out these gifts and strengths and highlight them publicly.

People too often miss the subtle and quiet gifts of others or overlook them when their expectations of others are low. This can be a barrier to the overarching goal of inclusion.

In contributing to the community, people become recognized not so much as consumers of resources but as contributors to society.

The hybrid workshop series is intended for individuals with disabilities, family members, caregivers, and professionals who support individuals and families with disabilities.

Each workshop will be paired with an in-person movie, “The Mighty,” which is open to all, on a future date. The movie for this workshop is  We look forward to seeing you there!

Reasonable accommodation / language request

If you need a reasonable accommodation (e.g., ASL interpreter), materials in an alternate format (e.g. large print) or information in a language other than English to fully participate in this event, please indicate your request on the registration form.