Vincent Siasoco, MD, MBA: “According to the World Health Organization, more than 700 million people in Asia and the Pacific live with some form of disability. The Philippines Statistics Authority reported that approximately 1.44 million or 1.57% of its population had a disability as of 2010. However, there are numerous and wide-ranging estimates of the prevalence of disability in the Philippines, ranging from 1.6% as estimated in the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, to 28.2% according to the World Report on Disability.”

Dr. Rebecca Weston, Mackenzie Irvin, Annu Singleton: “In October 2024, an innovative partnership was showcased at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual conference in Minneapolis, the largest public health gathering in the United States. Among the thousands of attendees, one voice stood out: that of Annu Singleton, a Special Olympics Maryland Health Messenger and athlete leader.”

Beth Marks, PhD, RN, FAAN: “Sophie was a companion in the truest sense of the word—a furry co-navigator through the complex terrains of adaptation, community, and living. Her story is not just one of loyalty or affection but of radical presence. Sophie's life reflected the rich intersectionality that defines many human-animal bonds, particularly for those living with and advocating for disability justice and accessible communities for all, regardless of ability.”

Rabia Mkamba and Gresë Sermaxhaj: “A decade ago, MC-Tanzania, an affiliate of MCW Global, began its journey to improve oral health and dental care in Tanzania. Let’s first take a moment to understand why oral health is so crucial in Tanzania and then highlight some of the impactful community work being done in this field.”

MORE FROM THE STACKS - On June 8, 2025, at the Annual meeting of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) in Phoenix, Arizona, we were proud to announce our newest Honorary member, the Honorable Neil Romano.

Steven Perlman, DDS, MScD, DHL (hon), PAOH President: Dr. Perlman thanks his mentors for their long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.

Rick Rader, MD, FAAIDD, FAADM, Editor-in-chief, Helen Journal: “This issue of HELEN examines the phenomenon of aging with disabilities. This is a relatively new topic as we know that the lifespan of individuals with disabilities, specifically those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is two decades less than people without disabilities.”

AHRC NYC's Fisher Center presents "Leave It To Me"—an exhibition by artists who attend the day program that serves adults with intellectual disabilities in East Harlem. The artists are proud to invite family and friends to see their work here, as part of the first exhibition hosted by Positive Exposure in their new home.  The Fisher Center is thrilled to be partnering with Positive Exposure, and to be sharing the space with artists from the D75 schools.

David A. Ervin, BSc, MA, FAAIDD and Douglas Golub, BA, MS, SHRM-CP, DrPH(C): “This is the second article in a five-part series on artificial intelligence (AI) and its emerging role in healthcare and community-based services for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). While the first article set important context, this installment focuses on how AI can act as a collaborative partner, not a replacement, for enhancing supports.”

Ley Linder, MA, M. Ed, BCBA and Craig Escudé, MD, FAAFP, FAADM: “Matt is a 36-year-old man with autism who lives with three other men of similar age and functioning level. He is a proficient verbal communicator both expressively and receptively. Matt enjoys social interactions with peers, staff, and family, and frequently participates in various activities in the community. “

Matthew P. Janicki, Ph.D. and Helen Stepowany, MS: “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a bold new initiative to address the needs of people living with dementia and their caregivers, who are Medicare beneficiaries, through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model.”

The Board of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices: “Recently, the intellectual and developmental disabilities community lost one of its great champions: Dr. Roy I. Brown. A prolific researcher, advocate, and gentle truth-teller, Dr. Brown dedicated his life to the well-being of people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. As we mourn his passing, it feels right to revisit one of the ideas he spent decades developing and promoting: the meaning of quality of life.”

The Disability Rights Movement has always faced KEY ISSUES.  Some have been resolved, some  still remain, and some are a work in progress.  HELEN’s latest feature showcases "older" articles that are still relevant and have focused on these key issues. They are "classic concerns" that continue to challenge us. We invite HELEN readers to review, revisit and reconsider them.  HERE is a piece for KEY ISSUES…

Seeking Advisory Board Members-Organ Transplant Equity Study: “A new study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development is exploring how disability-based discrimination may affect organ transplant access for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). We are seeking people with IDD with lived experience with the organ transplant process, or their family members, to join a paid advisory board.”