The REAL LIFE SERIES

The Real Life Series is a set of nine teaching videos that focus on improving the quality of life and services for adults with developmental disabilities. The videos were designed for the Health Care Financing Administration Intermediate Care Facility/Mental Retardation Surveyor Training Package by Joe Dzenowagis. Each of the eight videos deals with a specific area. These are:

1. Real Change - Dramatic changes in the past 20 years have helped thousands of people with developmental disabilities . . . . have the same real life opportunities. There have been many dramatic changes in the field of developmental disabilities, mostly in just the last 20 years. Understanding these changes is critical because our role as a society is to make sure that people with developmental disabilities do not remain trapped in the past, but are benefiting fully from the advancements in the field.
2. Real Teaching - Active treatment means taking a proactive approach to teaching, assisting and supporting a person. Valuing all people unconditionally and building relationships are two of the most important concepts of active treatment. While changing our own actions can be difficult, imagine how much harder it is to change someone else's life. That is why effective programs are needed to assist, support and teach people to reach their full potential and in the process, protect their rights. Because we value all people unconditionally, we should use positive teaching strategies. We do not need to fix people. When evaluating a program or plan, you should ask yourself if you would want that program implemented on you, your child or family member. Demonstrates the use of a picture calendar/schedule with one individual.
3. Real Rights I & II - The rights and lives of people with developmental disabilities are always at risk. Real Rights I: Consumer Rights and Protections looks into the not too distant past at conditions of what was a relatively new institution . . .. It was a horror story of abuse and neglect. . . . After viewing you should be able to describe three types of living situations that have historically led to the abuse of rights and three practices that were acceptable in the past that are not today. Real Rights II: Consumer Rights and Protections looks at the proactive assertion of rights by people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them.
4. Real Homes, Impact & Look - This three part video looks at how the home environment can contribute or negatively impact active treatment. If you were asked what meant the most to you in life, you might say having a good job, a nice home or a close family. You might even say living life the way you want to live it. For people with developmental disabilities, living life the way they want and getting the most out of life is important too. And like anyone else, that might mean living in a real home.
5. Real Talk I, II, & III - Stresses the importance of remembering that everyone with a developmental disability, no matter how severe the disability has feelings, can think, can make choices, and can communicate these thoughts, feelings and choices. Sometimes we might not easily understand what people are trying to tell us. So to assist people effectively you must be a creative communicator. Real Talk I: Communication Skills looks at 7 ways to set the stage for communication, and at 10 different ways people communicate. Strategies for communication are described and communication issues raised. Real Talk II: Interviewing Techniques for Surveyors looks at understanding good interviewing techniques, and how to set the stage for a successful interview. The techniques presented will be of benefit to anyone communicating with persons with developmental disabilities. Real Talk III: American Sign Language demonstrates the basic use of sign language and the alphabet.
6. Real Person - This is David's story. David is an engaging, interesting person who you can't help but like when you meet him. However, until several years ago, for most people in his life, David was frightening and dangerous because of his level of violence towards himself and others. First you will learn about David from 1970 to 1990 through assessment information. Staff were well intentioned, devoted a great amount of resources to help David and used what was the best practices in the field. However, they discovered that they needed to get David moving in a positive direction and get rid of all the restrictive techniques before it was too late. See the positive strategies since 1990, that have worked to help David enjoy life more, learn alternative social skills and eliminate his violence.
7. Real Options - The use of restrictive techniques have produced dehumanizing horror stories over the years and even today for people with developmental disabilities. Because of this there is a strong movement away from the use of restrictive techniques and towards protecting individual rights and the use of positive alternatives. Real Options: Restrictive and Non Restrictive Techniques looks at restrictive techniques that could be used on you if you had a developmental disability. It shows the ways restrictive techniques can be damaging to people and how they can create a negative environment for active treatment and for learning.
8. Real Jobs - Thousands of people across the country with severe developmental disabilities are benefiting from Supported Employment - real jobs in the community. Real Jobs - Supported Employment looks at the beliefs that drive supported employment and how people benefit from real work. Supported employment is based on the principle that everyone can work no matter how severely disabled. This video shows people with severe developmental disabilities in a variety of jobs and how creative, personalized supports are key to job success.
9. Real Learning - Understanding the way a person learns is the foundation upon which all active treatment is built. To develop a plan, carry it out and make changes means that home, work, school staff, the interdisciplinary team and people important in a person's life really need to know the person. The more that is known about the person's unique individual learning style, the more effective and personalized active treatment and teaching efforts can be.

Although developed as a training tool for surveyors the information contained within these videos will be of benefit to anyone working with or supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. The information is presented in a straight forward and direct manner, and focuses on the rights of the individuals and self empowerment. References to the United States legislations, regulations, etc. would need to be clarified for Canadian viewers.

(Available from the John Dolan Library at the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living.)

Developed by:

Public Service Project 23890 Middlebelt Rd., Farmington Hills, Michigan, 48336 Telephone: (248) 478-9451 Fax: (248) 585-1371

Description of Resource: A series of nine separate videos, varying lengths.

Approximate Cost: $49.50 each (US)