Education

Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs) are grassroots, neighborhood organizations that were established in each of Burlington's seven Wards to encourage citizen participation in City government. Working as neighborhood advocacy groups, Neighborhood Planning Assemblies help improve communication between the citizens of Burlington and City government through regular meetings scheduled in each Ward. Ward 6 meets the first Thursday of the month. Meeting place: Greek Orthodox Church 600 South Willard Street.

Funded by a grant from the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, the ambitious goal of the Vermont is my Home production is to increase the general public’s understanding of people with developmental disabilities as members of our communities.

Paul Connor is a well-liked and accepted fixture in his community. He plays in a Hockey league, shoots pool at a local pub and attends community dinners. In addition, he enjoys racquetball, ice fishing and working on his family farm. The oldest of seven children, Paul is known to a large network of neighbors and friends in his hometown. He has tremendous support for his independent functioning from his family.

For more information visit VermontIsMyHome.info.

Funded by a grant from the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, the ambitious goal of the Vermont is my Home production is to increase the general public’s understanding of people with developmental disabilities as members of our communities.

Kyle Moriarity was unable to communicate with his parents, or anyone else, until 6th grade when he was introduced to facilitated communication. A recent graduate of Montpelier High School, Kyle is in a Transition to Work program. He works at Green Mountain Self Advocates, an advocacy organization for people with disabilities. His goal is to advocate for access to assistive technology for youth with disabilities.

For more information visit VermontIsMyHome.info.

The Hearing Aid Task Force at Disability Rights Vermont hosts this program for people experiencing hearing loss.

Deb Charlea Baker chairs the Hearing Aid Task Force, and serves on the board of Disability Rights Vermont.  She is a former board member and vice president of the Hearing Loss Association of America.  She serves as an advisor at the Office of Professional Regulations re: hearing aid dispensers. A number of Deb’s family members also have hearing loss, including a grown son who experienced sudden unilateral deafness as a small child.   She works as a Communication Consultant and Advocate. 

AJ Van Tassel serves on the Hearing aid Task Force and on the State of Vermont Hearing Advisory Council.  AJ has dealt with the challenges of hearing loss from a young age.

Kate Russell is a member of the Hearing Aid Task force and the Hearing Loss Association of America.  She provided various services to people with hearing loss for the past nine years.  Even though her job has changed, she continues to advocate for better services. Kate grew up with a severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss along with her husband who has hearing loss.  They share one daughter who has a mild bilateral hearing loss.  All three family members wear hearing aids and use other assistive technology.