Impact Feature Issue on Aging and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental or mental health concerns. Because disabilities, illness, and mental health issues affect the lives of all family members, the Sibling Support Project seeks to increase the peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters of people with special needs, and to increase parents' and providers' understanding of sibling issues.

Since 1990 its mission has been accomplished through the following activities:

• Training local service providers on how to create community-based Sibshops, which are lively peer support and education programs for school-age brothers and sisters.
• Increasing parents' and providers' awareness of siblings' unique, lifelong, and ever-changing concerns through workshops on sibling issues.
• Hosting Yahoogroups for adult sibs (SibNet), young sibs (SibKids), parents (SibParent), and Sibshop providers (SibGroup).
• Publishing written materials, including its latest book, Thicker than Water: Essays by Adult Siblings of People with Disabilities (2009, Woodbine House).

For more information visit the Sibling Support Project .