IRI PRIDES Trainings
Integrated Resources Institute (IRI) is proud to announce an expansion of inclusive, culturally responsive services for individuals at the intersection of IDD and LGBTQIA+ identities.
Goals
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Developing and providing quality training and technical assistance for service providers centered around the lived experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ people with IDD and best ways to support them.
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Promoting more inclusive environments to better support LGBTQIA2S+ people with IDD.
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Establishing ongoing availability of quality trainings and resources for supporting LGBTQIA2S+ people with IDD.
In partnership with Wise
Wise is a nationally recognized organization with over 30 years of experience supporting employment providers and systems to improve services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Their team includes professionals with deep expertise in training design, accessibility, and equity-focused service delivery—many of whom are members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and bring valuable lived experience to this work. Together, we aim to create a sustainable, inclusive training initiative that amplifies the voices of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals with IDD and equips providers with the tools and strategies to offer equitable support.
To learn more about the work Wise has done in this space, visit Gowise.org
About the trainings
We will implement a 21-part webinar series and 18 podcasts featuring trainers with lived experience.
The webinars and podcasts will accomplish four core objectives:
Developing and providing quality training and technical assistance for people served, families and service providers centered around the lived experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ people with IDD and best ways to support them.
Promoting more inclusive environments to better support LGBTQIA2S+ people with IDD.
Equip individuals served, families and service providers with culturally responsive strategies to support LGBTQIA2S+ individuals with IDD.
Establishing ongoing availability of quality trainings and resources for supporting LGBTQIA2S+ people with IDD.
Why this is important
Queer individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experience profound disparities in access, inclusion, and representation. More than a third of queer individuals self reported having a disability. They face dual marginalization, within both LGBTQIA2S+ and disability communities, resulting in systemic barriers such as lack of inclusive practices, fear of losing services upon coming out, and invisibility in data collection. Regional Center Purchase of Service (POS) data and National Core Indicators (NCI) surveys consistently show gaps in culturally responsive services for individuals with intersecting identities.
Events coming soon!
Meet the team
Suad Bisogno
IRI
Chief Executive Officer
(She/Her)
Suad has developed and managed community integrated services for over 14 years. She has directed Integrated Resources Institute's expansion to the greater Los Angeles area and is now directing present and future growth of IRI. Suad currently sits on the board of California APSE and is the Chair of the North Los Angeles Regional Center Vendor Advisory Committee.
Leah Berry
IRI
Training Director
(She/Her)
Leah has dedicated her professional life to serving underrepresented populations, including those incarcerated and queer high school students with disabilities. Leah is a trained inclusive mediators and believes strongly in giving people the autonomy to resolve conflicts and make important life decisions. Leah joined IRI in 2024 as a Support Manager. After working in that capacity for almost two years, Leah joined the Training Department as Director of Training.
Anthony Contreras-Sanchez
WISE
Training & Technical Assistance Manager
(He/Him/El)
Suad has developed and managed community integrated services for over 14 years. She has directed Integrated Resources Institute's expansion to the greater Los Angeles area and is now directing present and future growth of IRI. Suad currently sits on the board of California APSE and is the Chair of the North Los Angeles Regional Center Vendor Advisory Committee.
Moe Cain
WISE
Systems & Contracts Coordinator
(They/She)
Moe joined Wise in 2016 and now serves as the organization’s Systems & Contracts Coordinator. They obtained their master’s degree in Public Administration in 2019 from the University of Washington, where they primarily focused on social policy analysis and nonprofit management. Moe leads Wise’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team and has worked with organizations to support the development of their own equity plans.
Jenny Crook
WISE
Sr. Training & Technical Assistance Manager
(She/Her)
Jenny Crook (she/her) brings over 12 years of experience in the field of Supported Employment, having served in various capacities such as job coach, employment consultant, and employment program manager. As a Senior Training & Technical Assistance Program Manager at Wise, Jenny trains and leads many online learning series, manages various contracts, and provides hosting support for a variety of events. As a person-centered planning facilitator, she focuses on solutions while collaborating with national and international partners to promote equitable employment for all.
Meet the Team
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