Peace House, along with Maker Union, Bridge 21, and the National Ability Center, on Thursday will host an empowerment fair focused on addressing the safety needs of the disabled and neurodiverse community.

The event will be held at Maker Union, located at 1912 Sidewinder Dr. from 4-6 p.m.

Held during March, which is recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the event highlights the importance of well-being, safety and healthy relationships for individuals with disabilities.

“This month reminds us that individuals with developmental disabilities are valuable members of our communities and deserve full participation in all aspects of life, including education, employment, recreation and civic engagement,” says the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.

The meeting will feature a panel discussion hosting two representatives from the Utah Parent Center, an organization based in Salt Lake City that supports children, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health-care needs.

These guests specialize in teaching healthy relationships and lead a multi-week course covering various related topics, said Erin Meotell, prevention coordinator at Peace House.

Additionally, a representative from Adult Protective Services will address questions regarding mandatory reporting, Meotell said, emphasizing that all individuals over the age of 18 are mandatory reporters, including in cases involving vulnerable adults and the elderly. 

The panel is also expected to include a representative from the Park City Police Department, along with other experts in public safety and accessibility, such as those in emergency response and transportation services.

A social time with local police and fire department personnel is scheduled to give attendees the chance to interact and become familiar with these first responders. 

“We want to make sure that this community knows that if they need help, they know the best way to contact these organizations and know how to keep themselves safe,” she said.

Individuals with disabilities experience higher rates of violence compared to those without disabilities, said Meottel. This violence can be physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, and at the same time these people often have far less knowledge on reporting these types of crimes. 

“Our mission at Peace House is to prevent violence and interpersonal violence, and we strive to ensure our outreach includes the entire community,” she said, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the neurodiverse community is aware of how to seek help, connect with relevant organizations, and take steps to keep themselves safe.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and be an advocate for their own safety. In their homes, in their communities where they work, where they go to school,” said Meottel. “I think sometimes it can be hard to stand up for yourself or to speak out if you don’t know how to do that or where to go to do that.”

No registration is required, and the event is open to anyone, especially those within the neurodiverse community, as well as individuals who work with this population and want to learn more about safety and effective ways to support and protect them.

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The National Ability Center held a senior takeover day Saturday, September 9, 2017. The event gave individuals aged 60+ an opportunity to try the center’s adaptive cycling and archery resources. (Tanzi Propst/Park Record)

Link to full gallery here: https://parkrecordphoto.smugmug.com/PHOTOS-NAC-Senior-Takeover/

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The National Ability Center held their annual Snow Challenge event at Park City Mountain on C.B.’s Run Saturday, April 1, 2017. Participants formed groups to race in and dressed in costume. (Tanzi Propst/Park Record)

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The National Ability Center held their annual Red, White and Snow fundraising event Uncorked at the Stein Eriksen Lodge Thursday evening, March 2, 2017. Attendees were treated to a variety of wines, foods, live music and a silent auction. (Tanzi Propst/Park Record)

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The National Ability Center holds their annual Huntsman Cup event at Park City Mountain Resort Tuesday – Friday, Feb. 7th-10th. The IPCAS-sanctioned, alpine ski racing event is geared toward athletes focused on building technical skills in racing and lowering their points to quality for more upper level competition. (Tanzi Propst/Park Record)

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Vista Outdoor held a bike build at La Chateaux Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 21, 2016. The event brought local business people together to build $36,000 worth of bikes which were then presented and donated to the National Ability Center. In addition to the bikes, Vista Outdoor also donated 70 water bottles and 70 Bell and Giro helmets to the NAC. Vista Outdoor also made a cash donation to the Hand in Hand Outdoor Foundation. (Tanzi Propst/Park Record)

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The National Ability Center hosted the Summit Challenge, featuring three distances participants could bike — 16-, 52-, and 102-mile tracks, Saturday, August 27, 2016. Participants were treated to bike care, food, drinks and more upon finishing at the NAC that afternoon. (Photos by Tanzi Propst/Park Record)

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