During the Spring semester of 2021, I was honored to work at ArtWorks. To bring something new to the incredible work that ArtWorks already does, I decided on yoga because I have found yoga to be healing both mentally and physically.

People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) develop Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia just as frequently as other aging adults. However, some may face an increased risk (e.g., 60% of people with Down syndrome by age 60). Aging related functional and memory changes can be hard to identify for people with I/DD.

My experience with ArtWorks was enriching, as I joined their scrapbooking project that aimed to help individuals with developmental disabilities create a person-centered book about themselves. I strongly believe that such projects are critical in emphasizing the importance of person-centered planning and advocacy for individuals with disabilities.

This month is dedicated to paying tribute to the many generations of African American men and women. Through many trials and tribulations, a spotlight is focused on the achievements of African Americans in our country, despite a long history of racism and oppression. The following is a compilation of various Black authors who allow us a glimpse into their world by sharing individual experiences.

On Friday, January 12, Artworks unveiled their new exhibition: Face2Face. The opening event took place from 5 to 7 PM in the UArizona BIO5 building. The artists created portraits that illustrated their personalities, interests, hobbies, and personal journeys.

For this month's Staff Spotlight, we sat down with Heather Dietrich to discuss Project SEARCH, Employment First, and competitive integrated employment in Arizona.

I was honored to be part of the Sonoran Center Disability Policy Fellowship. Joining the Sonoran Center was a way for me to discover how I can be active in changing policy for students with disabilities.

DISCAPAZ: Disability Experiences in the Borderlands is a multimedia project aimed at elevating the voices and narratives of individuals with disabilities and their families living along the Arizona-Sonora border. The project team works with people with disabilities and helps them to tell their stories in the way they see fit, utilizing photos, videos, audio, and written word. The DISCAPAZ Project recently announced its much-anticipated website.

On December 7, the Sonoran Center’s Native Center for Disabilities monthly webinar series hosted a special screening of two documentary films and one short film by activist and filmmaker Jim Warne. The two films, 7th Generation, and Remember the Children, and short film, “Oyáte un Itówapi - Pictures of My People”, discussed the historical and ongoing oppression and marginalization of Native American communities, while emphasizing their resilience and drive to preserve their culture.

The Sonoran Center, in partnership with the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, has created a series of informative videos called How to Speak Up for Your Health. Created by and for self-advocates, these videos feature disability self-advocates detailing how they make the most of their healthcare experience.