Wyoming Institute for Disabilities
Dept. 4298; 1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2761
Toll Free: (888) 989-9463
TeleType: (800) 908-7011
Fax: (307) 766-2763
Email: uwwind@uwyo.edu
Michelle Jarman, Alison Harkin
Disability studies is a diverse interdisciplinary field that investigates broad questions about the nature, meanings, and consequences of disability from interrelated social, historical, cultural, and political perspectives. The undergraduate minor in Disability Studies examines disability issues from multiple lenses.
Eric Moody, Canyon Hardesty, Tai Baker, Amy Rieser
The Equality State Research Network (ESRN) is a statewide network committed to engaging in community-based research to improve the overall health of Wyoming residents. The ESRN incorporates community engagement, quality improvement, and scientific inquiry.
WIND’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Training for Individuals with Disabilities is designed to decrease rates of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STI), and interpersonal relationship violence and measure changes in relationships and social networks among individuals with disabilities.
Wyoming’s iCanConnect program provides communications technology free of charge to income eligible people of all ages who have combined vision and hearing loss. This program will distribute communications equipment to qualified individuals and provide equipment installation, training, and support to help recipients make the most of this technology.
The ICAP is a standardized measure that yields an estimate of a person’s adaptive functioning, the extent of behavior problems that may limit his or her inclusion in various settings, as well as a systematic review of all available evaluation data. ICAP scores are used by the Wyoming Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Division as part of the basis for determining eligibility for funding within the Developmental Disabilities service system. The Developmental Disabilities Division contracts with WIND to conduct ICAP interviews throughout the state and is responsible for conducting initial, emergency, and continuing eligibility interviews.
Sandy Root-Elledge, Canyon Hardesty, Eric Moody, Tai Baker, Amy Rieser
Project SCOPE: Supporting Children of the OPioid Epidemic, is a national training initiative intended to build nationwide provider capacity and confidence in applying evidence-based practices in screening, monitoring, and interdisciplinary support for children and families diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, or who are suspected of being impacted by opioid use, trauma, or related exposure. WIND partners with the Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities for this project.
At the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, we are committed to the improvement of our programs through continuous evaluation as well as learning how to better improve the lives of those with disabilities through novel, empirical research. WIND’s Research and Evaluation team examines important real-world issues through an interdisciplinary lens, combining applied psychological, statistical, educational, medical, and public health approaches to find solutions to these problems.
Sandy Root-Elledge, Canyon Hardesty, Eric Moody, Tai Baker, Cari Glantz
UW ECHO networks are hub-and-spoke knowledge-sharing communities led by experienced teams using multi-point videoconferencing to conduct virtual sessions with stakeholders across the state. These virtual learning communities provide educators, service providers, case managers, administrators, families, and others access to expert advice from professionals throughout the state and country, building capacity in home communities to implement best practices and improve outcomes.
LEND is a nationally recognized group of trainees, gaining valuable experience in the disabilities field through participation in the program. URLEND at Wyoming Institute for Disabilities provides leadership and skill building opportunities for Wyoming graduate-level pre-professionals and professionals. Each year, student and professional trainees from a variety of health-related disciplines participate in a training program to increase their knowledge and skills in providing services and supports to children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.
Members of the WIND Consumer Advisory Council, over half of whom are individuals with a disability or family members, consult with the WIND Executive Director regarding the development of the UCEDD’s five-year plan, reviews, and comments annually on WIND’s progress in meeting the projected goals, and makes recommendations to the WIND Executive Director regarding proposed revisions to the five-year plan.
Sandy Root-Elledge, Canyon Hardesty, Ryan Rausch, Terri Wofford
The Wyoming Accessibility Center (WAC) provides fee-for-services training, technical assistance, services, and assessments to improve the accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Canyon Hardesty, Ryan Rausch, Shelby Kappler
The Wyoming AEM Clearinghouse works with school districts in Wyoming to provide accessible educational materials to students with print disabilities. We are a designated state authorized user for a federally funded, national repository of accessible educational materials. The Wyoming AEM Clearinghouse can access the repository and provide the source files to districts. The Clearinghouse can help identify resources to convert the source files into individualized formats, appropriate for student access.
From birth to 5 years there are milestones a child should reach in terms of how he or she plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves. Act Early Wyoming helps parents, health care professionals, and childcare providers learn about healthy developmental milestones. Enhanced awareness of the developmental milestones leads to more timely assessments, earlier diagnosis, and referrals for early intervention.
Wyoming AgrAbility is an affiliate of the National AgrAbility Project through the United States Department of Agriculture that provides outreach, disability information, coordination of services and on-site assessments. The program is focused on promoting independence for members of the agricultural community who have disabilities resulting from injury, illness, aging, or other causes.
Sandy Root-Elledge, Canyon Hardesty, Ryan Rausch, Terri Wofford, Gisele Knopf, Shelby Kappler
Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) is Wyoming’s Assistive Technology Act program, established through the AT Act of 1998, as amended in 2004, to increase awareness and access to assistive technology. WATR provides assistive technology training and technical assistance, public awareness, device loans and device demonstrations.
WY F2F HIC helps provide families of children and youth with special health care needs need greater access to evidence-based and cost-effective health information, family supports, and training to promote optimal health and patient engagement in health care decision making. All information, training, family support, professional education, and advocacy is facilitated through family-professional partnerships that allow families, children, and youth with special health care needs to increase their ability to make appropriate health decisions to improve their quality of life and be satisfied with the information and care received.
The Governor’s Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, Protection & Advocacy System, Inc., and the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) are sister organizations authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. The Administration on Developmental Disabilities/Administration on Children and Families provides funding to each of these organizations. In Wyoming, the three agencies work together to provide a comprehensive array of supports to people with developmental disabilities, family members, providers and state agencies. Each agency brings a unique perspective on services and supports for people with disabilities and is required under federal law to address specific areas of concern. WILDD fosters communication and information exchange among the three organizations. Directors of the three agencies meet monthly to identify and address state priorities, emerging needs, and immediate issues.
Sandy Root-Elledge, Gisele Knopf
WYTAP is a partnership among Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR), Wyoming Independent Living, Inc. (WIL), and First Interstate Bank of Laramie to provide a financial loan program for individuals to purchase assistive technology devices and services. WYTAP buys down the interest rate to lower than the current prime rate.
The Wyoming Telehealth Network supports healthcare entities, providers, and specialists increase access to care and improve health outcomes for Wyoming residents, through professional development, collaboration, and leveraging of telecommunications technology.
Public Access Telehealth Spaces (PATHS), a project of the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) at the University of Wyoming have opened three booths in libraries across WYoming to help promote Telehealth and increase healthcare access to rural areas.
Wyoming Institute for Disabilities
Dept. 4298; 1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2761
Toll Free: (888) 989-9463
TeleType: (800) 908-7011
Fax: (307) 766-2763
Email: uwwind@uwyo.edu