IT IS INVISIBLE DISABILITY AWARENESS WEEK! WEAR BLUE TO RAISE AWARENESS!

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    • Coming Soon
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Change Coalition 
non-profit organization

you are not invisible!

you are not invisible!you are not invisible!

what is a touch quilt?

Definition

How can people with invisible disorders benefit from a sensory quilt?

How can people with invisible disorders benefit from a sensory quilt?

  

A touch quilt (also known as a sensory blanket or tactile quilt) is a type of handmade quilt designed to provide sensory stimulation and comfort to individuals with sensory processing difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, or other conditions that affect sensory regulation.


Our touch quilts are constructed with a variety of fabrics, textures, colours, and materials sewn onto or incorporated into the quilt.  The combination of these sensory elements creates a quilt that offers a rich sensory experience, promoting relaxation, calmness, and sensory regulation for the individual using it. Touch quilts can be customized to suit the specific preferences and needs of the user, making them a versatile tool for sensory therapy, relaxation, and comfort.


Many individuals with invisible disorders find touch quilts to be comforting and enjoyable, and they can be particularly beneficial during times of stress, anxiety, or sensory overload. Additionally, touch quilts can serve as a practical and therapeutic way to engage in sensory integration activities and promote overall well-being for people with invisible disorders.

How can people with invisible disorders benefit from a sensory quilt?

How can people with invisible disorders benefit from a sensory quilt?

How can people with invisible disorders benefit from a sensory quilt?

  

A touch quilt can be incredibly beneficial for someone with an invisible disorder in several ways:

  

A touch quilt can be incredibly beneficial for someone with an invisible disorder in several ways:
 

  1. Sensory Regulation: A touch quilt provides tactile stimulation through different textures, fabrics, and materials, which can help soothe and regulate the individual's sensory system, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
  2. Comfort and Security: Invisible disorders often come with challenges that can cause stress and discomfort. A touch quilt can offer comfort and a sense of security through its softness, warmth, and familiar textures. This can be      particularly helpful during times of heightened stress or sensory      overload.
  3. Distraction and Coping: Dealing with the symptoms of invisible disorders can be overwhelming at times. A touch quilt can serve as a distraction and a coping mechanism by providing a safe and comforting outlet for the individual to focus their attention on. Engaging with the quilt's textures and colors can help redirect thoughts and emotions, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
  4. Therapeutic Tool: Touch quilts can also be used as a therapeutic tool in various settings, such as therapy sessions or calming spaces. Therapists can incorporate the quilt into sensory integration activities or relaxation techniques to help individuals regulate their sensory experiences and emotions more      effectively.
  5. Personalized Support Since touch quilts can be customized with different textures, colors, and patterns, they can be tailored to meet the specific sensory needs and preferences of the individual. This personalized support can enhance the effectiveness of the quilt in providing comfort and sensory regulation for the person with an invisible disorder.



cynthia irving, president & cfo-how to make a touch quilt

Cynthia Irving-President: The Touch Quilt Program

 As we prepare for the upcoming winter months, The Change Coalition is taking steps to make our Touch Quilt Program more accessible and inclusive. To help reduce unnecessary travel during the colder season, we’re introducing a virtual format that allows participants to create and donate touch quilts from the comfort of their own homes.


We recognize that many of our community partners are running similar programs, and we want to build on this shared effort by using the skills and technology we’ve developed to take a new, innovative approach.


Through this program, anyone with a sewing machine can create a touch quilt and donate it directly to a recipient of their choice. For those living in the Ottawa Valley, our team will gladly pick up your completed quilt and deliver it to your chosen recipient — or to one of our partner organizations.

This evolution of the Touch Quilt Program reflects our commitment to creating something consistent with today’s digital age, integrating new tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to assist those who need us most.


“We’re excited to use technology to make compassion more accessible and creativity more connected.”
— Cynthia Irving, President & CEO
 

How to Participate

  1. Register Online: Sign up through our website to join the Virtual Touch Quilt Program (sign up form is at the bottom of the page)
     
  2. Create Your Quilt: Use your sewing machine and creativity to design a touch quilt that brings comfort and joy.
     
  3. Schedule Pickup: If you live in the Ottawa Valley, we’ll arrange a convenient time to collect your finished quilt.
     
  4. Choose Your Recipient: You can select someone in your community to receive your quilt or donate through one of our partner organizations.
     
  5. Stay Connected: Share your progress and finished work online — helping inspire others to get involved and spread warmth this winter.

In 2024, we distributed 63 quilts thanks to generous donations and partnerships with Country Quilter, Safe Families, and the Ottawa Valley Quilting Guild. With $1,500 in in-kind donations, we’ve been able to grow this program and bring comfort to so many.  This is just the beginning! Join us as we continue to expand and make a difference—one quilt at a time. 


Help us fulfill our vision!


Want to get involved? Join us in bringing comfort to more lives!

Perry Reid-Ex French Foreign Legion Parachutist Battling MS

 In this powerful and emotional video, we meet Perry Reid, a former French Foreign Legion paratrooper, who is now facing the challenges of multiple sclerosis at St. Patrick's Home of Ottawa. 


Watch as Perry receives his Memory Quilt, a symbol of comfort and support, and reflects on his incredible journey, sharing stories from his time in the Legion and the resilience he's shown in the face of MS.  


Join us as we honor Perry’s strength and spirit, a true testament to perseverance. 

Meet Ben

 Meet Ben: a young man with unique challenges, including autism spectrum disorder, hypopituitarism, global developmental delay, and legal blindness. In this brief clip, Cynthia—our CFO, President, and one of the founding faces of Change Coalition—introduces Ben to a “Touch Quilt.” This handcrafted, one-of-a-kind blanket features a variety of textured fabrics and fidget tools, specifically designed to provide comfort, security, and relief for individuals with disorders like Ben’s. Each touch quilt offers a calming sensory experience, helping to alleviate some of the discomfort associated with autism spectrum disorder.  


Change Coalition is dedicated to collaborating with other non-profit organizations to create a holistic support system for individuals with invisible disorders like Ben’s. Through your generous donations, we’re able to develop life-enhancing tools, such as the touch quilt, to help people like Ben feel more at ease and supported. 

WHY ARE touch QUILTS IMPORTANT?

Jane Roszell

Jane Roszell helped the Change Coalition Touch  Quilt Project by attending one of our events.  She provides an informative explanation regarding the benefits of touch quilts.  They help a range of people that we serve.

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