Given the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, we have replaced QSAC's homepage for the duration of the situation.
You can still view QSAC's regular website by clicking any of the links on the above navigation bar.
Important Updates and Announcements
As an organization, we are deeply saddened by the lives senselessly taken in Minneapolis, Atlanta and Louisville. At QSAC, we believe that intolerance, hatred and institutional racism have no place in our community. We seek to cultivate a diverse, inclusive community grounded in respect for each other’s humanity.
QSAC reaffirms its commitment to fighting all forms of inequity, injustice, and discrimination as captured in the Direct Support Code of Ethics: "I will promote and practice justice, fairness, and equity for the people I support and the community as a whole. Respect: As a DSP, I will respect the human dignity and uniqueness of the people I support. I will recognize each person I support as valuable and promote their value within communities."
Together, let us stand united in working toward a society in which all people are afforded a life of liberty, equality, opportunity, and dignity.
Updated: July 20, 2020
QSAC Schools to Continue Remote Learning through Summer
In addition to continuing remote learning through June, the Governor has announced that remote teaching will continue through the summer months. QSAC's schools will continue to provide remote teaching for our students in accordance with our current summer calendar — July 6, 2020 to August 14, 2020.
ABA Parent Training Series and Support Groups Now Online
QSAC is now offering our ABA Parent Training Series and our parent support groups in an online format. We also have a full calendar of online programs and events for individuals with autism and their families. Click here for more information.
Resources for Families and Individuals Affected by COVID-19
New York City has created a website with information for New Yorkers affected by COVID-19. The website includes resources related to employment, housing, food assistance, etc. The United Way of Long Island has also created a resource page on their website as well as an application for families in need of financial assistance.
The New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) has created an online COVID-19 resource section to inform people with disabilities on the resources available to the them during NYC's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Click here to visit the resource site.
Please continue to visit our website for updates and announcements.
At-Home Learning Resources
During this unprecedented crisis, we recognize that families may be seeking educational resources to use in supporting at-home learning while schools and other programs are closed. Below you will find a series of resources, websites, and mobile applications that may be helpful. We will continue to update this with new resources.
Resources for Children and Students
BrainPop: This website offers web-based educational resources for an array of subjects including social studies, science, math, English, arts and music, health, engineering, and technology. Currently, they are offering free memberships for families.
ExploreWork: ExploreWork offers online courses focused on career planning and the development of work skills for students with disabilities. The website is a collaboration between George Washington University and the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC). The website is free.
Skills to Pay the Bills: This downloadable workbook provides tips, strategies, and activities for helping students learn and practice soft skills for the workplace. This resource is free.
Storyline: The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
Resources for Adults
Resource Folder: This Google Drive folder contains an array of resources that can be used to support skill development. The resource provides an extensive selection of websites, applications, social stories, videos, visual supports, worksheets, and workbooks.
Enrichment Resources
Google Arts and Culture: Google Arts & Culture is an online platform through which the public can access high-resolution images of artworks housed in the initiative's partner museums. You can also take virtual tours of some of the world's most famous museums and historical sites. This resource is free.
Computer Literacy (Online Course): Northstar Digital Literacy has made its Basic Computer Literacy course available online for free for a limited time in response to the coronavirus/COVID-19. If you are interested in getting access to other features/courses, please email Joseph Amodeo at jamodeo@qsac.com.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Stream: Be delighted by the antics of the aquarium's sea otters or mellow out to the hypnotic drifting of our jellies. With ten live cams to choose from, you can experience the wonder of the ocean no matter where you are. The website is free.
Virtual Tour of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History: Dinosaurs! Snakes in jars! Giant diamonds! Our suggestions: The Ocean Hall, The Hall of Mammals, and the Hall of Fossils. Or, mix it up with minerals.