WACOSA Wins a Life Enrichment Award for its Connect Academy Program

(KNSI) — WACOSA is being recognized with the 2021 Life Enrichment Award from the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation.

WACOSA is being recognized for its Connect Academy program. Connect Academy is a Zoom online platform created to increase social connection for those who are served by WACOSA and community businesses.

A press release from WACOSA says that the timing and expansion of WACOSA’s online portion of the effort were “particularly helpful as COVID-19 restrictions kept many people home.” MOHR President Julie Johnson says, “Disability programs across our great state excel at making these kinds of connections with people. We have learned that without us, many people suffer the negative effects of isolation.”

“Video communication transitioned from being an emerging technology to being part of the fabric of our society,” said WACOSA Executive Director Steve Howard.

Advanced video and studio equipment are utilized by people with disabilities to connect with and train people who stayed home during the pandemic. They can choose online courses offering adaptive technology, self-advocacy, theater, and health and wellness. Students can learn coding, animation, online safety tips, and social media use. In the future, there are plans for students to build and write code for robots and learn how to fly drones.

Program users can also take advantage of a virtual job explorers class to take video equipment to a business for an interview about career possibilities, in hopes that using the technology and interactions can help connect WACOSA services to almost every aspect of daily community life.

WACOSA is one of nearly 100 members of MOHR. The association advocates for and supports its nonprofit members, providing meaningful services to persons with disabilities and communities across Minnesota.

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