Ruth Diroma Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny

Created presentations and facilitated workshops (over 50 per year) and trainings to parents, grandparents (‘kincare’) and caregivers of children with disabilities to assist them in obtaining appropriate educational services for their children. Workshops included topics such as: -An Overview of Special Education-The IEP ProcessParent Involvement: School & Community-Bullying of Children with Disabilities-Stress Management for Parents of Children with DisabilitiesConducted trainings for parents of children with IEPs to become Parent Members of IEP teams in their districts, certified over 100 parents per yearWorked with NYC Department of Education, NYS Education Department, consortiums of community agencies (ARISE Coalition) and advocate organizations on topics (Common Core, transition from elementary to junior high school, junior high school to high school, and high school to adulthood) relating to continuing education, vocational training or community livingDesigned and produced flyers, invitations, programs using computer graphic software and programs for distribution (PowerPoint, Publisher, Photoshop Elements, Constant Contact, Eventbrite)

Bronx, Ny

Taught high school students with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilitiesTeacher in a self-contained class, taught the total curriculum: -Global History-American History -English Literature -ELA (English Language Arts)-Living Environment; Biology -SEITS/Resource RoomUsed arts related techniques and materials to teach and motivate students Taught the Wilson Language Reading SystemWrote IEPs and attended IEP meetings Interacted with guidance counselors, assistant principals, deans, parent coordinators and parents/guardians of special education students to plan specific approach to teaching for each studentWrote narrative and statistical reports of student progressRecognized for on-going classroom environment excellence

New York, Ny

Prepared information and made referrals to individuals and families of people with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and other cognitive disabilities Directed staff who provided services through a Helpline and Case Management throughout NYCRan evening support group for Adults with Learning DisabilitiesResponsible for the maintenance of government contracts, grant writing, personnel training, relations with board of directors, and work with LDA of New York State and LDA of AmericaResponsible for the preparation and distribution of informational materials

Greater New York City Area

Managed contracts, public and private grants (NYC Department of Mental Health & Mental Hygiene, OPWDD, National Council on the Aging, Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Artists Project (federal programOrganized fundraising and special events to honor individuals in the arts and social services. Responsible for the coordination of a conference and speakers, on “The Healing Role of the Arts,” that was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, in New York City and Bellagio, ItalyTrained employees, including part time staff and hundreds of volunteersCreated and designed newsletters, invitations, flyers and programsEdited, and supervised the compilation of data for Access for All: A Guide for People with Disabilities to New York City Cultural Institutions funded by the New York Community Trust. The book reviewed the physical and programmatic accessibility of over 300 of New York City’s cultural institutions. Artist Chuck Close sponsored a second edition to include art galleries.Enlisted the senior management of New York City Transit, Division of Buses, in the donation of a decommissioned transit bus, and the expertise of its engineers and technicians to build a state of the art accessible vehicle for people with disabilities. The bus held spaces for ten wheelchairs or five beds, or configurations of both. The Estate of artist Keith Haring provided the artwork for the exterior design on the bus as a donation to the project.

Master Of Science (Ms), Special Education And Urban Education

Master Of Science (Ms), Labor And Industrial Relations

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), English Language And Literature, General