Category Archives: activism

Year One on the Spectrum: Reflections from a Late-Diagnosed Autistic
I would have probably been one of those people that would be surprised to hear someone say they found out they were on the autism spectrum in their 30s, but then just after turning 34, I got the “news” that I too am on this wide and usually misunderstood spectrum of neurodivergence, and I’d slipped through the cracks the entire time.

Benefits 25-02
Your Path to Financial Independence: These work incentives are designed to encourage employment without the fear of immediately losing vital benefits. Additionally, the Ticket to Work (TTW) program provides free employment support services, helping individuals with disabilities find and maintain meaningful jobs.

Take These Chances
The biggest and most recent example was signing on to being an extra for the full-length feature film starring, none other than, Owen Wilson. This experience, though incredible and surreal, is my biggest example of how we can let go of our insecurities and wheel towards a life that we never dreamed of.

Katherine Magnoli Biography
Katherine’s passion for writing is lifelong. What started out simply as a hobby, evolved into an avenue for her to express her emotions as she faced bullying and ostracization as a person with a disability living in a small town that had little to no diversity.

The View From Here (24-11)
I realize now, that in all of the tools in my toolbelt I’ve developed over 10 years of living with a disability, including learning to walk again, learning to drive using hand controls, navigating life using a mobility device; I was severely lacking in one basic tool that would assist me in a dangerous situation such as the one I was faced with last month. What do I do, as a person living with a disability, when I feel threatened?

Disability Designs Etc.
Our goal is to engage people both in and out of the disability community to consider various issues faced in society by persons with disabilities. The hope is that these products can be an avenue for dialogue to be initiated so that questions some people may have can be answered and we can all have the chance to have a better understanding of how things affect one another in our society.

Benefits 24-11
The intent of asset building initiatives is that as individuals develop assets, they will be able to move out of poverty and remain out of poverty.

Vote 2024 – Poll Worker Recruitment
Poll workers are the greatest resource for ensuring elections that are fair, accurate, transparent, and accessible for all voters of Miami-Dade County.

Vote 2024 – Your Plan to Vote
Now that the date to register to vote has passed, it is time to work on a plan to vote.

Voting 2024 – Florida Amendments
This year, we have six (6) amendments on the ballot on November 5, 2024.

The View From Here (24-09)
I am reflective today of the challenges I’ve faced, the tremendous obstacles I’ve overcome and the enormous opportunities that have come my way because of all of it.

My Experience As a DIG Summer Intern
My experience with DIG has been one of self-reflection and familiarity, combined with inspiration and motivation to live life to the fullest and pursue my wildest dreams confidently with the acknowledgement that life is too short to wait on.

Voting- Key Dates for Florida 2024
Polling places are designed to be accessible through features like ramps, accessible voting machines, assistance from poll workers, curbside voting, and clear pathways, ensuring all voters, including those with disabilities, can participate.

The 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)!
This month marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990.

Happy Pride Month: The Evolution of The LGTBQIA+ Flag
This month represents the entire community, including queer, intersexual and asexual individuals. Across the nation, people come together for festivals and marches to celebrate this unifying month. Many symbols have even been made to represent gay pride, most popularly the rainbow flag.

Benefits Information 24-06
A payee must use benefits in the best interests of the beneficiary, according to his/her best judgment.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month (2024)
Remember Help is always available – The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7 Free and confidential support. It’s never too late to get help.

The View From Here (24-05)
While sometimes a whisper can give you a loud and clear message, maybe it’s in those moments where the message actually roars, that wakes you up to listen just a little bit more. I’m beginning to see it’s those times that my disability is teaching me something. Sometimes it takes a loud cry from someone, something, or some event in our lives, to wake us up to the changes that are happening, or should be happening, right in front of us. While you may not see them as a positive at the time, there may be a lesson there, in the roar. A lesson in acceptance and leaning into that change.

Can’t I Just Plug Autism into my GPS?
Along with “just love them,” I’ve discovered a few other self-guiding principles. I’ve learned the importance of not exhausting oneself. It’s tempting to run yourself ragged, getting your children to therapy after therapy, convincing yourself that every therapy is “crucial” or driving a great distance to find the “perfect” school. “Perfect” doesn’t exist and every therapy is not “crucial.” I’ve learned that while seeking good therapies and good schools is desirable, it is more important to focus on peace within the family, to give my children a safe home base where they can comfortably be themselves.

Benefits Information 24-04
If you receive Social Security benefits and you have a job or are looking for one, there are specially trained professionals known as Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWIC) to help you make sense of complex employment and benefit-related issues.