Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing

Black-and-white photo from March 12, 1990, showing disability rights activists during the Capitol Crawl protest at the U.S. Capitol. Activists left their wheelchairs and mobility devices and crawled up the Capitol steps while photographers and supporters looked on. The U.S. Capitol dome is visible in the background. Text on the image reads, “March 12, 1990. Disability rights activists abandoned wheelchairs and mobility aids to crawl up the U.S. Capitol steps.” The graphic also includes the campaign message, “We’re Here. Then, Now, Always.” and the NACDD logo.

There was a time when many people with developmental disabilities were hidden, segregated, or excluded from community life.

History matters. Not for nostalgia — for understanding.

#DDAM2026 @nacdd.bsky.social

A winter safety information graphic titled “Winter Care Tips for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).” The left side contains guidance under the heading “Communication & Education,” with bullet points about using social stories, practicing routines, and using accessible language. At the bottom left are the logos for St. John Fisher University and the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing. The right side of the graphic shows a person outdoors in winter clothing, wearing a fur-lined hat, red scarf, and blue mittens, holding a snowball. Snow-covered trees are visible in the background.

Winter brings unique challenges for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and those who care for them.

Use social stories or visual aids to explain winter safety routines. Keep instructions simple and accessible for all communication levels.

A person wearing a magenta blazer and dark top is interviewed on camera in front of a window showing a snowy urban street with parked cars and leafless trees. A lower‑third graphic identifies “DR. HOLLY BROWN, DNP” and “Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing,” with a “Rochester in Focus” logo on the right.

ICYMI: Executive Director Dr. Holly Brown joined Lynette Adams on this week’s Rochester in Focus to highlight the health disparities affecting people with IDD—and how the Golisano Institute is using education to drive change.. https://loom.ly/bTw-pQA

The Golisano Institute is proud to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Month with the launch of the @nacdd.bsky.social "We’re Here: Then, Now, Always" campaign.

#DDAM2026
https://loom.ly/Lsh7nqc

Two smiling women sit behind a table with a red tablecloth.

Two smiling women sit behind a table with a red tablecloth.

The Festival of Inclusion is happening NOW at Nazareth University! Stop by the Golisano Institute table and grab a pinwheel!

A colorful, illustrated event poster titled “Festival of Inclusion.” At the top, rainbow-colored text and icons—including stars, a rainbow, and simplified human figures—surround the title. The event details read: “Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11am–2pm, Nazareth Golisano Training Center, 4245 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14618.” Below, text announces “Free fun for the whole family!” followed by bullet points listing: “100+ organizations, food trucks, DJ, games, valet parking, relay activities, sports.” The bottom of the poster shows bright, playful drawings of event elements—including a food truck, parking sign, sports balls, cones, speakers, and colorful decorations—set against a dark background with confetti, music notes, and stars.

Visit the Golisano Institute at the Festival of Inclusion this Saturday, March 7—more than 100 organizations will be present, along with food trucks, games, adaptive sports, and more!

Hope and How 2026 - Starbridge Monroe Community CollegeR. Thomas Flynn Campus Center | Building 3 March 10 8:15am – Registration Opens 9am-3pm – Program Where lived experience meets the science of hope.Unlock what’s possible. Build …

Next Tuesday, join Executive Director Holly Brown at the Bridging the Hope and the How Conference organized by Starbridge. Dr. Brown will be a panelist for a discussion on how to bridge the gaps in healthcare and human services for people with disabilities. https://loom.ly/MhIfq1o

VIRTUAL SUMMIT 2026 - Advance Care Alliance New York - ACANY ACANY and LIFEPlan CCO Provider Relations is hosting a virtual summit designed to empower leaders and professionals across the IDD field.

Join Holly Brown, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCS and other national disability experts for a day of learning focused on IDD and complex behavioral needs. Register today! acany.org/virtual-summ...

A swimmer wearing a red swim cap and yellow earplugs rests at the edge of an indoor pool, with water reflecting light around them and lane dividers visible in the background.

Can tech be used to increase physical activity among adolescents with intellectual disabilities? Golisano Fellowship Mentors Patricia West and Brian Abery recently published an article in the Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities looking at this question. https://loom.ly/9KxTHGA

Golisano Fellow Rebecca Weston shares a story of conversation, discovery, and growth that resulted from a course requirement at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. https://loom.ly/c3fudvE

Graphic titled ‘Winter Care Tips for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).’ On the left, text lists skin and health care tips: moisturize daily with fragrance-free lotion; use lip balm for protection; and check fingers, toes, and ears for signs of frostbite. At the bottom left are the St. John Fisher University and Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing logos. On the right, a close-up photo shows an older adult’s hand gently resting on another person’s open palm.

Cold air can quickly sap moisture from your skin, so take simple steps to protect yourself and those you care for during colder weather. Moisturize daily, use lip protection, and monitor extremities for any signs of frostbite, especially after spending time outdoors.

Brad Lomax—Uniting the Civil Rights and Disability Rights Communities - The Center for Learner Equity Brad Lomax (1950-1984), a Civil Rights leader and disability rights activist, brought together the two movements to present a united front in the fight for equity.

Brad Lomax was a key leader in both Civil Rights and Disability Rights. As a Black Panther, he helped support the 1977 504 Sit‑in with vital food and medical aid, enabling the month‑long protest that led to enforcing Section 504. Learn more at the Center for Learner Equity.
https://loom.ly/n43xl-c

The Wegmans School of Nursing recently received grant funding for IDD-focused AR/VR simulations. This initiative will help develop a workforce of well-prepared nurses who can confidently and effectively support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. https://loom.ly/xWP5vqY

Joseph Buhain I am honored and genuinely excited to have authored a publication for Education Technology Insights focusing on artificial intelligence and its transformative role in higher education. This...

Congrats to Dr. Joseph Buhain, Golisano Faculty Fellow, on his feature in Education Technology Insights! His work at FGCU explores the use of AI, holograms, and immersive simulation to elevate interprofessional learning and strengthen clinical readiness.

https://loom.ly/BpHhwhw

Congratulations on the gold medal, Cori! YouTube video by Golisano Institute for IDD Nursing

Congratulations, Cori, on your gold medal this weekend at the Special Olympics Winter Games! Everyone at the Golisano Institute is so proud of you! youtube.com/shorts/3GfgE...

Cori Special Olympics Winter Games 2026 YouTube video by Golisano Institute for IDD Nursing

Cori Piels, an inclusion specialist at the Golisano Institute, will compete in the @specialolympicsny.bsky.social Winter Games this weekend at Tim Hortons Iceplex. A 20+ year participant, she also mentors fellow athletes. Good luck to Cori and all competitors!
youtube.com/shorts/aG313...

Graphic titled ‘Winter Care Tips for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).’ The left side lists indoor environment tips: maintain warmth by keeping indoor temperatures 68–72°F, use draft control such as sealing windows and doors, and provide comfort items like blankets and warm socks. At the bottom left are the St. John Fisher University and Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing logos. On the right side, a person’s hand adjusts a wall-mounted smart thermostat displaying a red screen set to 72 degrees.

A stable environment can help lower stress and prevent sensory overload. Keep indoor spaces comfortable this winter by maintaining steady temperatures between 68–72°F, reducing drafts around windows and doors, and offering cozy items like blankets and warm socks.

The Woman Who Made a Device to Help Disabled Veterans Feed Themselves—and Gave It Away for Free World War II nurse Bessie Blount went on to become an inventor and forensic handwriting expert

Bessie Blount, a pioneer in assistive tech, created the first self‑feeding device for people with arm amputations or paralysis. When the VA rejected it, she donated the design to the French military—leaving a legacy of innovation driven by compassion.

https://loom.ly/ajR2yPs

The effects of critical issues in the nursing workforce In the first hour of Connections with Evan Dawson on 2/13/26, local nurses join us to discuss the serious shortage of nurses and other challenges facing their profession.

📢Shout out to Golisano Fellow Stephanie Baker, who was on Friday's edition of Connections! Stephanie joined other nurse leaders to discuss issues facing the nursing workforce, including visa changes and proposals to alter nursing's professional degree status. Watch now! https://loom.ly/eR4shAE

Cori will be competing in the Regional Figure Skating this weekend, February 14, 12-2:30 pm, at the Tim Horton's Iceplex on Brighton Henrietta Townline Road. Next weekend, she'll be competing in the New York Winter Games. Go

Cori Piels: Olympics Watch Guide & Special Olympics Competitions YouTube video by Golisano Institute for IDD Nursing

Inclusion Specialist (and @SpecialOlympicsNewYork athlete) Cori Piels shares which competitions she's most excited to watch, as well as how she'll be participating in the upcoming Special Olympics Winter Games.Cori!https://youtube.com/shorts/Fohr-j9B8G0?feature=share

A graphic titled “Winter Care Tips for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)” provides guidance for outdoor activity planning in cold weather. The left side contains text with tips about limiting exposure, scheduling warm‑up breaks, and offering warm drinks. At the bottom left are the logos for St. John Fisher University and the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing. On the right side, a person wearing a blue sweater prepares a hot beverage at a table with a clear mug.

Winter brings unique challenges for individuals with IDD and those who care for them. Limit time outside during extreme cold and schedule warm-up breaks indoors every 15–20 minutes. Offer warm drinks like tea or cocoa, but avoid excessive caffeine or sugar.

‘You Have to Scream Out’ Being Black and disabled is a constant struggle.

“Racism and ableism are similar, in the sense that they foist society’s limitations—in imagination and in empathy—onto individuals who don’t look or act like everyone else.” An Atlantic article examines what it’s like to be Black and disabled in America. #BlackHistoryMonth
https://loom.ly/BYXF5B4

A person sits at a table with their head in their hands, while another individual gently places a hand on their arm. Several empty or partially empty medication blister packs are scattered across the table. Sunlight filters through sheer curtains in the background.

A recent study reveals that many people with substance use disorders (SUD) also have an intellectual disability—but too often, one of these conditions goes unnoticed.

Effective support starts with recognizing the full picture.

https://loom.ly/SJDLLwM

Cori Piels: What to Watch at the Winter Olympics YouTube video by Golisano Institute for IDD Nursing

Inclusion Specialist Cor Piels shares which Winter Olympics events she's most excited to watch this weekend! What's your favorite Olympic event? 🏅https://youtube.com/shorts/EGvKdG539gE

A winter safety tip graphic shows guidance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. On the left, text titled “Winter Care Tips” provides advice on mobility and outdoor safety, including using non-slip boots, clearing paths, and checking assistive devices for ice buildup. Logos for St. John Fisher University and the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing appear at the bottom. On the right, a person wearing a hooded winter coat and using two walking canes moves along a snowy, slushy outdoor path.

❄️Winter brings unique challenges for individuals with IDD and those who care for them. Weather conditions can make it harder to move around safely. Choose footwear with reliable traction, keep walkways free of snow and ice, and check mobility devices for buildup that could affect stability.

A patient lies in a hospital bed receiving respiratory support through a breathing tube held in place by a health care worker. The patient has monitoring equipment attached to the arm and hand, including a blood pressure cuff and medical sensors, while a clinician in scrubs adjusts the tubing.

This month, we’re elevating powerful stories at the intersection of #BlackHistory, disability, and health care. Check out this article on why embracing intersectionality isn’t optional—it’s essential to delivering higher‑quality care for Black patients. https://loom.ly/rUivxWs

A nurse wearing a long‑sleeved burgundy top leans over a young patient seated in a specialized medical chair within a brightly lit clinical room. The child is positioned near a sink area with shelves holding colorful medical supplies, while tiled walls and small square windows form the background. The nurse appears to be offering supportive, hands‑on care, creating a warm and attentive interaction. Text across the webpage highlights themes of nursing knowledge, competence, and improved patient care.

📢 We’re live — and easier to explore than ever!

The Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing has launched its new website, designed with a cleaner layout, simpler navigation, and quicker access to the resources you need.

🌐 Explore the new site: https://loom.ly/DsPJWhY

Spring 2026 | Closing the Gap in IDD Care: New Program for APPs - St. John Fisher University New modules equip NPs and PAs to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

✨ The Golisano Institute’s Primary Care Residency was recently spotlighted in Fisher News!

🔗 Learn more about how this innovative residency is helping transform the future of primary care for people with IDD. https://loom.ly/o4bM2bg

A winter safety infographic titled “Winter Care Tips for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)” focuses on temperature awareness. The left side contains guidance, including reminders that individuals with IDD may not recognize when they are too cold or overheated, to watch for signs like shivering or pale or bluish skin, and to use visual cues such as thermometers and picture charts. Logos for St. John Fisher University and the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing appear at the bottom. On the right side, two people bundled in winter clothing sit outdoors while one person holds a smartphone.

Winter Care Tip: Individuals with IDD may not recognize when they are too cold or overheated. Watch for signs such as shivering, pale skin, fatigue, or confusion. Use visual aids, such as thermometers or picture charts, to help communicate “safe” vs. “too cold.”