Image Description: Tan toy blocks spelling out 2019 review.
I think we can all agree that 2019 was a very eventful year! WITH Foundation had a good year and we were pleased to provide almost $1 million to organizations that work for inclusive and transformative healthcare.
We have so many highlights to share from 2019 that we’ve put them in 4 categories to make them digestible!
Healthcare Models and Training
- We are pleased to support the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health in implementing a first-of-its-kind transition value-based payment model for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- We were thrilled to see/support the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute’s Blood Draw tool which assists in the informed consent process in Supported Decision-making. To learn more about the tool, visit: www.mychoiceky.org/toolkit.
- We were proud to continue our partnership with the Association for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and support their healthcare efforts. WITH attended AUCD Annual Conference which featured presentations on Inclusive Medical Education from our grantees the University of Louisville and the University of Arizona. Additional grantees also presented at the conference.
- We were pleased that Massachusetts General Hospital secured significant support from the Ruderman Family Foundation to expand parts of the Autism Care Collaborative program. WITH was one of the early funders of the program.
- We were also proud to attend and sponsor The UCSF 18th Annual Developmental Disabilities Update in March.
- We were pleased to continue our partnership with the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) and attend the AADMD Conference in May where a few of our grantees also presented regarding their work.
To learn about additional grantees, please visit here.
Funder Education
- WITH joined as an inaugural member of the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy. The council is co-chaired by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Ford Foundation. To learn more about the Council, please see the following op-ed and video.
- At the Unity Summit in November, WITH was pleased to join the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Annenberg Foundation, and the California Community Foundation in a discussion about the importance of including disability in diversity, equity & inclusion efforts in philanthropy. Our executive director, also joined other CEOs to discuss identity in the workplace – that panel discussion was facilitated by Funders for LGBTQ Issues and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP).
- At the Northern California Grantmakers Conference (in April), WITH participated in a panel that discussed disability inclusion in philanthropy. The panel was moderated by Ability Central Philanthropy. Ford Foundation and the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities were also part of the panel discussion.
- In October, WITH partnered with Northern California Grantmakers, the Awesome Foundation – Disability Chapter, and the van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation for a session on the Role of Funders in Addressing Ableism.
- WITH Foundation supported Southern California Grantmakers in their journey in disability inclusion. To learn more about their journey, please visit: www.socalgrantmakers.org/news/nothing-without-us-scgs-journey-inclusive-design-back-future
Digital Health
- In partnership with Sidebench, another iteration of the Universal Design Symposium & WITH Foundation’s Beta Day was held.
- WITH & Sidebench also presented at SXSW (in March). Read more about these events here.
- WITH supported some of the USC Center for Body Computing efforts related to accessible technology for adults with developmental disabilities.
We were also pleased to be a sponsor of the Tech Inclusion Conference and the Global Accessibility Symposium (in Mountain View, California).
Operations
In terms of WITH’s internal operations, WITH was pleased to have new members join our Self-Advocate Advisory Committee. Katie Murphy also became chair of the Advisory Committee. The committee reviews the proposals that the Foundation receives and provides input on whether or not applicants should receive funding. Learn more here.
In April of this year, we also welcomed Andraéa LaVant to the WITH Team, as our Administrative Coordinator! Thanks to the Advisory Committee members and to Andraéa for all the ways they strengthen the work of the foundation.
Was there more? Of course, there was more! Read about it on our blog,
We are thankful for the work of our grantees and partners in 2019! Thank you all for the positive impact you have on the lives of people with developmental disabilities!