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Barrier-Free Blog

Virtual Tour of The Life Skills & Social Studio

5/25/2021

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Take a Virtual Tour
Barrier-Free's Life Skills & Social Studio is opening in Downtown Sykesville on Tuesday, June 1st!

View the video above for a virtual tour of our charming new Studio space, perfect for small group learning, interaction, and fun!


Barrier-Free Life Skills & Social Studio
7520 Main Street #103
Sykesville, MD 21784

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The mission of The Life Skills & Social Studio is to support the development of life skills and social skills through an integrated-arts model with a focus on interpersonal interaction, authentic practice, and group collaboration.
Become a Studio Member
Barrier-Free Studio registration is already underway!

Check out the first three weeks of schedules and fill out the New Member Intake on our website to get started.

ALL members receive two FREE Studio sessions!

Contact us at info@barrierfreemd.com or 301.799.8669 with questions.
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Supported Decision-Making

5/19/2021

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Everyone makes decisions everyday. Some decisions are small while others are large. 
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Small Decisions include:
  • What to wear?
  • What to eat at mealtimes?
  • To sleep in or wake up on time?
  • What store to go to?
Can you think of a small decision you made today?
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Large decisions include:​
•What job to have?
•Where will you live?
•Whether or not to pursue higher education?
•Whether it is appropriate for a power of attorney or guardianship?
•Medical Care- whether to run a specific test or not? Whether to have surgery or not? Whether or not to try a certain medication?
​Can you think of a large decision you have made recently?

Sometimes we need help from others to help us make decisions. 
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Who can help me make decisions?
•Parents or legal guardian
•Other family members
•Friends
•Neighbor
•Therapist/Counselor/Social Worker
•Case Manager/Service Coordinator 
•Doctor/Specialist
•Lawyer
•Support Staff/DSP/PCA
Who's on your team?
There are decision-making principles to keep in mind when making a decision with your team.
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Decision-Making Principles:
•Everyone has the right to make their own decision(s) especially about things that affect them. 
•Every effort should be made to support people to make their decisions: This means you're allowed to have help in making your decisions. 
•Capacity should be assumed and is decision specific: This means that a person is assumed to be competent no matter what the circumstance. 
•Decision making is a skill we learn: Decision making is something we practice to get better at. So, when we have large decisions we are able to decide easier. 

People have the right to:
  • Learn from experience
  • Change their minds
  • Make decisions others might not agree with
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Decision-Making Agreement:
An agreement is when two people who are willing to provide something to each other.
You are giving your supporters the “AUTHORIZATION” to assist you in the areas of life that you need help or support in. That means that you are giving your “PERMISSION” for your supporters to point out all your options and support you with taking the steps to accomplish your goals. Supported Decision Making agreements are in writing and will take some planning. An agreement explains to your supporters what you want them to and what you don't want them  to do. 
Sample Decision-Making Agreements can be found here: 
Decision-Making Agreement 1
Decision-Making Agreement 2
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Charting the LifeCourse provides a decision making portfolio. It can be found here: 
LifeCourse Decision-Making Portfolio  
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Charting the LifeCourse also provides an assessment to figure out what supports are needed to make decisions in all areas of your life. It can be found here:
LifeCourse Decision-Making Assessment

​Sometimes when we have to make a decision it is helpful to make a pros and cons list. It's helps if you weigh the positives and negatives to each solution. It's best if you pick the best choice for you. It also helps if you don't put off or procrastinate in making the decision. A decision-making worksheet can be found below:
Decision-Making Worksheet
Supported Decision Making Worksheet
Why is this important?
​•This is YOUR life. You get to make the decisions.
•You can lead your plan
•You can have help/someone else can lead
•You can have family advocates
•You can have training to help you advocate
•You have the right not to have negative consequences (effect) by speaking up
•You may choose how long and how often you meet 

Sources:

http://www.lifecoursetools.com/lifecourse-library/exploring-the-life-domains/supported-decision-making/
https://www.idaholegalaid.org/sites/idaholegalaid.org/files/Supported%20Decision%20Making%20-%20An%20Alternative%20to%20Guardianship%20-%20A%20Self-Advocate%27s%20Guide.pdf
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Expectations Matter : My Life, My Choice, My Plan 2 hour module 
Person-Centered Planning Training
Shared Support Maryland, Inc.

Current Trainings 

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Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a social worker. In addition to autism, Emily has a plethora of other physical and mental conditions, which include: Attention Deficit Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, 3Q29 Deletion Syndrome, Non-classical Diamond Blackfan Anemia, and Deaf in my right ear. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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NONPROFIT BARRIER-FREE PRESENTS THE LIFE SKILLS & SOCIAL STUDIO FOR NEURODIVERSE ADULTS

5/10/2021

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SYKESVILLE, MD—The Life Skills & Social Studio is coming to Downtown Sykesville as an extension of Barrier-Free—a non-profit, disability service organization that provides inclusive art, self-advocacy, and social programming to the community for adults with disabilities.

The Life Skills & Social Studio was created out of a need for more creative and innovative programming throughout the Howard, Carroll, Frederick, and Montgomery county areas. “Our premise surrounds neurodiversity” states Britt Burr, original founder of Barrier-Free. “Our goal is to combine elements of social practice and integration along with expressive arts opportunities.”
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“It combines the best of both worlds” replies Lauren Burr, Executive Director, “It will have the inclusive practices we know and love along with that social club feel.” “With the added bonus of life skills heavily sprinkled in!” Adds Britt. 

Both Lauren and Britt encourage Sykesville and the surrounding communities to join them at The Studio’s Open Houses on Sunday, May 16th from 1-3pm and Tuesday, May 18th from 4-6pm. “Everyone has been really welcoming to us so far and we’d love the opportunity to meet them face-to-face. Just drop in and say hello and check out the space.” says Lauren. ​
Interested parties are encouraged to check out The Life Skills & Social Studio at Barrier-Free’s website at www.BarrierFreeMD.com. “Please reach out to us with any questions.” states Britt, “We want to make this affordable and accessible for all.” 

Britt and Lauren can be reached at info@BarrierFreeMD.com or welcome a text/call anytime at 301-799-8669.
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Join us at an upcoming Info Session or Open House.

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May Bulletin

5/1/2021

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Contents:
THE BIG NEWS - Life Skills & Social Studio
Summer Improv is Back
Hershey Park, Here We Come!
New - Actor Spotlight
Maryland Arts Summit
Facebook Fundraisers
The Big News!!
Barrier-Free proudly presents, The Life Skills & Social Studio, opening in June 2021!

The mission of Barrier-Free's Studio is to support the development of life skills and social skills through an integrated-arts model with a focus on interpersonal interaction, authentic practice, and group collaboration.

The Studio, located in Historic Downtown Sykesville, is an expansion on our current programming that will allow us to offer Barrier-Free opportunities EVERY DAY.

 
The Life Skills & Social Studio will serve neurodiverse adults 18+ with no age cap, including those with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism.
 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR OPEN HOUSES!

Join us Sunday, May 16 from 1 - 3pm or Tuesday, May 18 from 4 - 6pm, ​to get a first look at The Life Skills & Social Studio.
 
Click Here For More Details About The Studio
Summer Improv is Back!
Barrier-Free's beloved summer class is back for ANOTHER round of acting fun! During the course of this 8-week class, participants will learn and engage in the basics of character-based improv and sketch comedy.

New this summer, join us Mondays IN-PERSON, Wednesdays on ZOOM, or BOTH!

 
Click Here for Details & Registration
Hershey Park Here We Come!
Join us for a day trip to Hershey Park on Saturday, June 5th!

Carpooling is available for this event.  There are 8 carpool spots available for this social club and allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please indicate your transportation preference when registering.

Click the link below for all the details about this awesome social club!

 
Click Here for Details & Registration
Jared Parrish Actor Spotlight
Jared Parrish is an all-star Barrier-Free"er" who participates in our Inclusive Theater Company B, social clubs, and numerous classes.

​Recently, Jared played Robert in "I Do, I Think," Co. B's original show that premiered live on Youtube in March 2021.

In addition to Barrier-Free, Jared attends post-secondary school, rides horses, participates in Special Olympics, and more!   

​Thank you Jared for being willing to be a spotlighted Barrier-Free actor!

 
Click Here to Check Out the Full Spotlight
Maryland Arts Summit Performance
Barrier-Free is thrilled to share that we have been invited to perform at the virtual Maryland Arts Summit on June 3 & 4!

Our performance will be prerecorded and will include an introduction to Barrier-Free, an overview of our inclusive theater model, and a scene from "Salty Seas."

The Maryland Arts Summit is a FREE event and open to all!

We will be sure to share our exact date and performance time as soon as the Summit schedule is finalized.
Happy Birthday!
Facebook Birthday Fundraisers raised $986 in donations in the month of April!

THANK YOU to everyone who generously shared their birthday with Barrier-Free!
Don't Forget!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR STUDIO OPEN HOUSES!

Join us Sunday, May 16 from 1 - 3pm or Tuesday, May 18 from 4 - 6pm, ​to get a first look at The Life Skills & Social Studio.
 
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    About our Blog

    The Barrier-Free blog exists as a space to share Barrier-Free news, helpful information, and a creative sharing space.

    ​Enjoy!

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 7520 Main Street #103 Sykesville, MD 21784   |   Email: info@barrierfreemd.com    |   Phone: 301-799-8669 (text preferred)   |   EIN: 84-2964880
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We are proud to be funded in part by a Community Arts Development Grant from the Carroll County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council
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We are proud to be funded in part by a Safeway Foundation Grant
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Barrier-Free is committed to providing access to our web pages for individuals with disabilities. The content of this site has been tested for usability and accessibility using a combination of standards-based, automated procedures and accepted heuristic methods. We make every effort to comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Compliance is an ongoing process and we encourage notification when information on our website is inaccessible. If for any reason you are having difficulty accessing any of our resources please contact  Lauren Burr, Executive Director at laurenburr@barrierfreemd.com.

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our Story & Core Values
    • Meet the Team
    • Booking Barrier-Free
    • Calendar
    • Stay Connected
  • Programs
    • Inclusive Theater Companies
    • Life Skills & Social Studio >
      • Intake for New Members
      • Weekly Registration
      • Studio FAQ
    • Individual Skill Coaching
    • Expressive Arts Programs
    • Music Studio >
      • Music Studio New Members
      • Weekly Registration
    • OUT Loud
    • Social Club
  • Get Involved
    • Enroll
    • Attend an Event
    • Internships
    • Volunteer
    • Jobs
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Donate
    • Sponsorship Levels