Effective Communication Between Families & Providers / Dignity & Rights of Staff –
“We’re All in This Together”

Presented by: Bridget Cariello, Assistant Director, AHRC Nassau
Shaun Weathers, Vice President, AHRC Nassau
Dr. Sarah Gonzalez Noveiri, DEI Officer, AHRC Nassau
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
In-person
115 E. Bethpage Rd., #22
Plainview, NY 11803

Effective communication is the foundation of quality services. When families, nonprofit providers, and staff communicate with clarity, respect, and shared purpose, trust grows, collaboration strengthens, and people receiving services life richer, deeper, more meaningful lives. This interactive session is designed to strengthen relationships between providers, families, the direct support professionals that care for our loved ones. In building practical communication skills grounded in dignity, rights, and mutual respect we may address challenges honoring everyone involved. Together we will explore why communication in disability services matters, and how organizational culture, power dynamics, and staff dignity directly influence service quality and what matters most to those we support. Throughout this session we will focus on building a culture of support, empathy, and inclusion where families feel heard, staff feel respected, and people with disabilities receive support that uphold their rights, dignity and ability to live their own best lives.

Learning Objectives:

• How to Strengthen Collaborative Relationships: Build trust and partnership among families, nonprofit providers, and staff through clear, respectful, and inclusive communication practices.
• Apply Effective Communication Strategies: Learn to use active listening, plain language, getting curious, avoiding assumptions, and respecting diverse viewpoints in care planning, transitions, and times of high stress.
• Uphold Staff Rights and Dignity While Communicating the Needs of a Loved One: Gain an understanding of principles, and values that protect staff dignity, their legal rights, and well-being, recognizing their impact on organizational culture and service quality. Learn to create an environment that is thoughtfully responsive to all families, caregivers, and staff to create a life of dignity and support for the people we serve.
• Navigate Conflict Constructively: Learn to utilize collaborative problem-solving tools to address disagreements and align expectations among families, staff, and providers. Gain understanding of agency process and how to gain additional support when needed.
• Create Meaningful Lasting relationships with Your Provider and their Staff: Learn to develop lasting relationships to integrate respectful communication, shared decision-making, and dignity-centered practices into your communications at home and in our programs.

This seminar is recommended for families and other stakeholders

Presenters:

Bridget Cariello, M.S.
Assistant Director, AHRC Nassau | Advocate | Statewide-National Project Developer | Presenter

Bridget Cariello brings over two decades of experience bridging families, self-advocates, and service providers to strengthen communication and person-centered support. As a parent of a 29-year-old son on the autism spectrum, she brings deep personal commitment and lived experience to her work, and as a paid special education advocate with Parent to Parent of NYS, she spent years educating families on their rights and helping them navigate systems — giving her firsthand insight into what effective family-provider communication requires.

She is also the developer of the DSP Pathways Initiative, a workforce development model that builds a pipeline between high schools and the direct support professional field, addressing the DSP workforce shortage while elevating the profession for the next generation of staff. Within AHRC Nassau, she supervises the CQL-certified Personal Outcome Measures Department and serves as Culture Chair, shaping an organizational culture rooted in respect, equity, and collaboration.

Bridget holds a B.S. in Human and Community Services and an M.S. in Human Resource Management from Stony Brook University. She is a strong advocate for shifting societal roles from “caregivers to trusted collaborators” — fostering partnerships where families, staff, and people with disabilities work together toward richer, more meaningful lives.

Shaun Weathers
Vice President, AHRC Nassau

Shaun Weathers is the Vice President of Operations for AHRC Nassau, a Chapter of the ARC New York.  AHRC Nassau is one of Long Island’s largest not-for-profit organizations serving individuals and their families with Intellectual and Development disability.  Starting his career in the field over 20 years ago as a Direct Support Professional, Shaun has dedicated his service to supporting individuals with I/DD to live enriched and fulfilled lives while promoting disability rights with key stakeholders and policy makers in the state.  As Vice President, Shaun leads the organizations Day, Community, & Residential Habilitation programs that provide person centered services and supports to over 1200 adults throughout Nassau County on Long Island.

Dr. Sarah Gonzalez Noveiri
DEI Officer, AHRC Nassau

Dr. Sarah Gonzalez Noveiri is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer at AHRC Nassau and an award-winning interdisciplinary rhetorician and Critical Cultural scholar. With a strong foundation in the humanities, Dr. Gonzalez Noveiri’s research and pedagogy address global diversity, equity, and inclusion through an intersectional lens.

Pre-registration is required below ↓