TERI founder to provide insight on life quality issues for individuals with developmental disabilities

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Improving the quality of life for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, will be addressed by Dr. Krysti DeZonia, co-founder of the Training, Education & Research Institute (TERI) and founder/director of the International Association for Life Quality (IALQ), at today's World Congress on Disabilities (WCD) Expo, in Jacksonville, Fl.

The WCD Expo is dedicated to improving the lives of those with developmental and physical disabilities, their families and professionals who work with them. The Expo showcases the latest products and services designed to improve the lives of those with disabilities, as well as provide critical information about the issues facing the disability community from experts throughout the world.

Dr. DeZonia, an expert on life quality issues and parent of a young adult son who has profound and multiple developmental disabilities, regularly speaks around the world on issues associated with autism and other developmental and learning disabilities. Her speech at WCD Expo will highlight issues facing adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities, including residential supports and options, vocational opportunities, social inclusion and friendships - all of which impact a person's quality of life.

"Statistically, individuals with developmental disabilities have a lower quality of life than the general population, and issues associated with living conditions, personal self worth, social activities and relationships, can all have a tremendous impact," says Dr. DeZonia. "My research has shown that many parents are unprepared when their children with special needs reach adulthood, and they absolutely require assistance across a lifespan, including support with life quality planning, in order to ensure that their children experience a high quality of life along with the future they envision for them."

Earlier this year, Dr. DeZonia and TERI launched the International Association for Life Quality (IALQ), which is dedicated to identifying and removing barriers to a quality life for those who have developmental disabilities, and their families. IALQ offers Special Needs Life Quality Plans(TM), which provide a highly detailed profile and "happiness" roadmap developed specifically for the family member with a disability, and lays a foundation of support for a lifetime. Furthermore, IALQ offers a Special Needs Life Quality Coach(TM) online training program, which trains coaches to work directly with individuals with autism and other special needs, and to take on various support roles such as advisor, advocate, mentor, and even a second pair of eyes when family members can not be present.

For 30 years, TERI, Inc. (www.teriinc.org) has developed model programs and support services to improve the quality of life of children and adults with a wide range of special needs, and those who care for them. What TERI has learned through experience and research is now available to families across the nation and the world.

The WCD Expo will be held in Jacksonville, Florida on Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November, 20, 2009. More information about Dr. Krysti DeZonia, IALQ and their programs is available at www.ialq.org or by calling (760) 721-1706.

SOURCE Training, Education and Research Institute

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.teriinc.org
http://www.ialq.org