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Three Things

 

This video explores what we can do to better listen to people who are in direct support roles in order to improve the quality of life of both the support professional as well as the person being supported. Direct support professionals often feel isolated and the last to know things, which is ironic, since they are the ones spending the most time with the people they support. So give them opportunities beyond what is required that will help them to learn to do their job more efficiently. Give them opportunities to talk about not only their job, but their life outside their work. Help them to understand their role and value their role as a direct support professional as an invaluable one.

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Everyone Can Learn

https://youtu.be/jv3PpiItWf0

Heather Simmons shares an insightful story illuminating the idea that people of all abilities have the ability to learn giving the opportunity.

Although Heather was originally from Scotland she now lives in Perth Australia where, with her husband Richard Hill, they operate a company called h2 Training and Consulting that focuses on training staff who work with and for people with disabilities.

Heather has worked extensively in diverse roles with the disability sector since 1994. Including roles as a support worker, group home manager, team leader, and development worker.

Heather has many stories to tell… and her passion is working in the ‘grey areas’ of human services. She loves the challenge of finding ways of applying the ideas she talks about everyday to the day to day practice of working in the disability.