Category Archives: Americans with Disabilities

The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-07)

There are many definitions of advocates. They can be individuals who defend a cause, or who promote the interests of a cause, or those who support the cause for another.

The MIA liaisons are a combination of all three, they defend, promote, and support others. The impact they are making on the DV/SA system of care has been extraordinary.

Featured Issue: Elevators & Elevators in Parking Garages

An alternative option should be provided immediately when an accessible element is not available. A governmental entity must make its programs or services, and a public accommodation must make its goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations, available through alternative methods such as (1) providing curb service or home delivery; (2) retrieving merchandise from inaccessible shelves or racks; and (3) relocating activities to accessible locations.

The View From Here (23-06)

My frustration is not that elevators break. I understand that things happen. My frustration is that there seems to never, ever be an adequate solution or alternative offered to those of us who cannot take the stairs if an elevator is broken. So, what do we do? Just deal with it?

DID YOU KNOW?: HURRICANE SEASON (prescription medications)

In Florida the “Emergency Prescription Refill” law was passed allowing you to refill prescribed medications for 30 days during a disaster if there is a hurricane warning or an announced state of emergency.

Miami Herald 5/19/23 Op-Ed–Take Steps

An adequate trans­portation system that provides equal access is an essential component to ensuring persons with disabilities can live inde­pendently.

The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-05)

We must train all of those who may interface with children with disabilities on this topic and give them the resources they need to recognize abuse and stop it.

The View From Here (23-05)

Since my spinal cord injury in 2014, I’ve really come to admire those of us who live every day with a disability and share the struggles we face, as well as the milestones. Someone very dear to me said recently, “When you win, you always celebrate the victory, but when you don’t win, you learn from the loss.” That’s what I’ve taken from sharing my challenges, and what I’ve learned from my fellow spinal cord injury survivors who share theirs. We can often learn more from our struggles than from our triumphs. And we can certainly help others along the way, just by doing so.

Did You Know? Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP)

The Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP) provides free transportation and evacuation assistance for those who have access or functional needs. Specifically, the EEAP provides specialized transportation, safe shelter, medical monitoring, and wellness checks for those who may have extra medical needs.

A win for Dominion is a win for the disability community.

One of the fundamental rights of our democracy is the right to independently and privately mark, cast, and verify a ballot. Several laws have been passed to ensure that people with disabilities have these same voting rights. However, many voters with disabilities still do not have equal access and choice for the voting method that they prefer.

Chasing Autism Acceptance

I have a dream where I move my with my children and my husband to an island. The world is tiny and easy. I am always with my five favorite people with no societal judgement. Then, I realize that humans crave connection with other humans. I crave connection. My husband craves connection. My children crave connection. It would be unfair to limit my kids’ connection, because humans are hard-wired to enjoy the company of other humans. We just have to figure out novels ways to get that connection.

How life can change in the blink of an eye.

Today, I’m still finding ways to stay involved with my passion for sports. Since I can no longer physically play baseball the way I used to, I have been focusing on sharing my story and giving motivational speeches to teams and athletes.

Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-02)

According to the last U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking In Persons Report, persons with disabilities are one of the groups most at risk of being trafficked.

Accessibility & Awareness in Architectural Design

Provisions for accessible elements should not just stem from mandates, but precisely be the result of careful thought and awareness. Only then will that stylish, hip restaurant recognize accessibility as a positive and incorporate its elements not simply as an afterthought … but as a jeweled accent in its overall brand design.

The under-reporting of sexual assault

The crime of sexual assault is under-reported.  This is particularly true if you are a victim with a disability.

The hidden nightmare of sexual violence on and at the borders (23-01)

This is a time to speak up and out for these women.

The View From Here (23-01)

I bring all of this up to hopefully highlight the obstacles we, as people living with disabilities, face every single day. Not just the obstacles, or the excess costs, but the sheer frustration of having to retrofit our lives just so that we can be independent.

The View From Here (19-09)

I never realized how little I knew about Cancer until I was told I had it.

The View from Here (19-11)

I think it’s important to share my story to encourage other women to stop putting off your screenings.

What happened to the COVID-19 case about immunocompromised children with disabilities in public schools in Florida?

In this matter, the development of vaccines and boosters are winning the race against the mutations of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, next time, science may lose to the application of bleach, horse medicine, and ultraviolet light treatments, and our schools and state would be willing to sacrifice children and persons with disabilities in a pyrrhic victory for parental rights to avoid inconvenience for their child.