Share Our Newsletter On Social Media
popsicle_stick.jpg
There is no time to waste, put your last-minute summer activities on to your To Do list and make the most of what time is left this season! There is still time to plan your Labor Day BBQ and finish up the box of popsicles in the freezer. Maybe you will visit your favorite playground or settle in at the beach with a good book. Summer officially ends Friday, September 22 and school will be starting in a few weeks... there's no time to waste!
Speaking of back to school - We want to express how wonderful it is to know we have incredible supporters like you! All of you have made us at The Arc RI and the children we helped feel thankful, joyous, and included! This year the Annual Backpack Drive was bigger and better than last year - we surpassed our goals, and it is all thanks to YOU!
We hope you will find something in our newsletter to inspire you to soak up every last minute of the season and prepare for back to school.
September is dedicated to Suicide Awareness, and we have included several resources to open communication, recognize warning signs and help lines that are open 24/7. Let's create a world without suicide.
- The Arc Rhode Island Staff
funky-purple-header.jpg
magic_ribbons_book.jpg
ruler-children-header.jpg
Need to Know WHEN the Kids Go Back to School?!
Although, officially summer ends Friday, September 22... school starts weeks before!

Use the link to find out the first day by School District.
FREE
Outdoor Festival
Celebrating
Rhode Island Accessibility

The Steel Yard
27 Sims Ave Providence

Saturday
September 23rd
11:00am - 5:00 pm
This event will celebrate diversity and inclusion, help local business learn how to become accessible, & include individuals of all abilities.
This directory lists playgrounds that have inclusive and accessible features. Here you can find the best of the best as well as playgrounds that have added accessible swing seats or other accessible features.
Follow Us!
In Local News
Warwick charity donates backpacks full of school...

The Impossible Dream playground holds its annual back-to-school backpack drive, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (WLNE)WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) - The Impossible Dream playground handed out backpacks full of school supplies to children and families on Friday....

Read more
www.abc6.com
Research Study Opportunities
If interested, please fill out our contact form: tinyurl.com/s2slab or contact: Dr. Jill Hoover, Sounds2Syntax Lab Director Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UMass Amherst (413) 461-0875 | s2slab@comdis.umass.edu
The University Of Rhode Island
Researchers from the ASSET research group at the University of Rhode Island need your help to develop guidelines for the development of accessible virtual reality (VR) apps for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) To be eligible to participate in this study you have to be over the age of 18 years who has been diagnosed with conditions deemed as intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Examples of I/DD: autism, Downs syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, etc. We will be conducting an in-person study with the individuals with I/DD using the Meta Quest 2 platform. The study includes an orientation video, engaging with Meta Quest 2’s First Steps app, and an interview.
The study can take place at one of the following places: (1) at a location of your choice; (2) offices of TechACCESS of Rhode Island in Cranston, RI. If you need transportation to get to Cranston, RI, we will arrange for it, we anticipate about 30 minutes of commute time followed by 90 minutes for study time; or (3) at Tyler Hall at the University of Rhode Island To take part you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have some form of I/DD Participants will receive a $30 gift card at the conclusion of the study
Massachusetts General Hospital
Zoom Meeting 8/24/23 @ 12 PM
Depression and Down syndrome:
What are the symptoms?
‌
The Massachusetts General Hospital at the Lurie Center is recruiting for a new research study that will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the drug fluoxetine for the treatment of depression in adults with Down syndrome.
Residents of Rhode Island are eligible.

Participants must be:

  • 18 to 45 years of age
  • diagnosed with Down syndrome
  • have symptoms of depression
September
Suicide
Awareness
SAMHSA's National Helpline

24/7 free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery.

Call 1-800-662-HELP

SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Know the Warning Signs:
someone may be at immediate risk for attempting suicide.

  • Talking about death or killing themselves
  • Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live
  • Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
  • Feeling unbearable emotional/physical pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Giving away important possessions
  • Saying goodbye to friends and family
  • Putting affairs in order, such as making a will
  • Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
  • Talking or thinking about death often
For More Information and Resources from SAMHSA Click Here!
Suicide is a deeply complex and personal issue, and it’s important to remember that not everyone who has a mental health condition or experiences risk factors contemplates or plans suicide. Nevertheless, it is vital to know the warning signs that someone might be at immediate risk for a suicide attempt.
¿Está su hijo en crisis emocional?
Learn more about your options. (PDF download)
Is Your Child in Emotional Crisis?
Kids’ Link RI is a behavioral health triage service and referral network. The program is offered in collaboration with Gateway Healthcare, Lifespan, Hasbro Children's Hospital and Bradley Hospital. Kids’ Link RI is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help triage children and youth in need of mental health services and refer them to treatment providers.​