OUR MISSION:

NEWSLETTER | FEBRUARY 2021 | ISSUE 6

IDC's mission is to bring together
community members dedicated topromoting the full and equal
participation of individuals withdisabilities in all aspects of life.

Training & Consulting Opportunities Available
Program Overview:
The IDC is pleased to announce we are offering
opportunities for individualized project assistancefrom Kat King to develop and support inclusive
recreation & leisure projects. Kat led 14 Islandorganizations last year in the IDC sponsored Youth
Inclusion Development Leadership training
program. The program will be continued this year towork on specific inclusion projects. Is yourorganization interested?
Visit IDCMVY.org for more details and to download
the application form. Applications are due
February 19, 2021. Projects will commence in March,and typically wrap up by December, 2021.

Types of projects the IDC would liketo support:
Design of an inclusive program or event
Review of programs and space to recommend anaccessible and welcoming experience
Inclusion and disability training for staff
Development of an inclusive volunteer program
Policy/procedure reviews and recommendations forInclusive goal setting
Inclusive marketing messages
Inclusive hiring practices

Save the Date!
Special Needs Discussion GroupFebruary 23rd, 7pm via Zoom
The MV Family Center invites you to join Journeys, a monthly virtual discussion group for families raising children
with special needs. Parents will have the opportunity to connect with other families to share experiences,challenges and advice. Heather Quinn, Director of Early Childhood programs at MVCS, will facilitate thediscussions and offer family support. The kickoff meeting is Tuesday February 23, 2021 at 7pm via zoom.
Subsequent meetings will be held the last Tuesday of the month. Please email mvfamilycenter@gmail.com or call
508-687-9182 to register or for more information.

All About Inclusive Employment
March 11th, 12pm via Zoom
Please join us for an informative General IDC Coalition Meeting to hear all about our inclusive employment plans
which will kickoff this Spring. General IDC Meetings are open to all and are a great opportunity to connect withcommunity partners and organizations. A Zoom link will be sent out, as well as be available on our website,
IDCMVY.org.

Community Corner
Welcome to Community Corner! As part of IDC’s mission to promote an inclusive
OUR MISSION:
Martha's Vineyard, we will highlight an initiative
each newsletter.

The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival (MVFF) provides programming toMVRHS Special Needs Students
managed byJenna Robichau, Education Coordinator for the MVFF
What started with a simple holiday music video for the MVRHS Compass and Navigator Programs in 2019, has evolved
into a robust movie designed, performed and produced by the students. Compass and Navigator serve the special needs
population at MVRHS.
Like many organizations, the MVFF needed to redirect their offerings in light of Covid challenges. One result was theextremely successful summer drive-in movie theatre. Last fall, Brian Ditchfield, MVFF Program Director and Jenna
Robichau, MVFF Education Coordinator, started assessing opportunities for creative in-person projects. The Compassand Navigator students have had in-person learning since the fall. Given the success and feedback from the holiday
music video, the Drama Teacher, Brooke Ditchfield pitched the idea of an extensive music/dance/theatre movie
program to Jenna and Brian. The result has been educational, connecting, inspiring, and alot of fun!
"Each student is in charge of their portion of the video. They choose the song, the background, dance moves, thestaging, basically all aspects of the video," said Jenna. "We are able to take their complex ideas and break them into
something creative and meaningful for each student, and pull it together for an overall movie."
The team meets weekly and plans to have the filming complete this month. Social distancing is observed with the kids
fully aware of their individual space and even learning and performing sign language rather than singing. Creative
editing ideas with the kids are being developed to keep them involved in the process, yet safe.
"It's been a fun, accessible curriculum that we would like to take to theelementary schools, " said Jenna. The goal doesn't stop there. "We haveapplied for a Tower Foundation Grant to create an island-wide play
involving the entire disability community." Additional ideas include
expanding the MVFF drive-in movie program with sensory friendly movies
and events that are more inclusive.

Pictured from left to right, MVRHS students Andres Sanchez Roa,Alyssa Sylvia, Jhonatha De Oliviera (at the mic), Kyra Wildanger andConner McGrath during a filming session in the Performing Arts Center.
For more information contact Jenna Robichau, jenna@tmvff.org

IDCMVY.org

Beth Wike, IDC Coordinator
idcmvy@gmail.com

Julie Lively, Resource Specialist
Julielivelyidc@gmail.com