Category Archives: disability
The Wallet Card Project Update 2024
Whether you’re a caregiver, teacher, community organization, or part of law enforcement, visit our newly updated Wallet Card Project page for more information on how to access these resources and apply for a wallet card. Explore the updates today!
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.
Benefits 24-08
A PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support) allows you to set aside other income besides your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or resources for a specified period of time so that you may pursue a work goal that will reduce or eliminate the SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits you currently receive.
Hurricane Preparedness: you can refill your prescriptions in advance.
The “Emergency Prescription Refill” law was passed in Florida, which allows you to refill prescribed medications for 30 days during a disaster if there is a hurricane warning or an announced state of emergency.
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.
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.
The View From Here (24-02)
There is a saying, “Just because I carry it so well, doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy.” But I think this “carrying it well” goes for most of us, doesn’t it? While you may not suffer from a disability or have to deal with the types of challenges those of us who are disabled do, most of us have things in our lives that we just don’t discuss. Things that we hide away to just get through the day, so we don’t have to share it with anyone. We put the makeup on, or the business suit, we take and post the glamorous selfie, when, in fact, behind the scenes, our lives aren’t exactly what we dress them up to be. We present an image we think the world wants to see, instead of sharing the difficulties we deal with day-to-day, when it’s the sharing that may actually be the thing that helps others.
Bottoms Up!
Yes, colonoscopy prep is inconvenient, but a cancer diagnosis is life altering. Chemo kills the cancer, but it also poisons the body. There was neuropathy, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, nausea, and constant diarrhea for six months. I also had the unfortunate luck of being the only person I know who gained weight on chemo! The physical part was easier than the mental. Somehow I did it, because what other choice did I have?
Why Voting Matters
Be Election Ready in 2024. Use your vote and be counted. It matters.
Update Your Signature
Be Election Ready in 2024. If the signatures don’t match your vote will not count.
Register to Vote.
Be Election Ready in 2024. The deadline to register for an upcoming election is 29 days before that election.
March 19, 2024, is the Presidential Preference Primary Election in Florida.
Be Election Ready in 2024. This year only registered Republicans voters are eligible to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary Election in Florida.
The View From Here (24-01)
So, I took a deep breath. Reminded myself that I could, actually, “Do it scared,” and I forced myself through the fear. While as a young girl on that hill years ago, I needed someone to help me get through that fear and walk back to my family, the years since and the trauma I’ve endured from my SCI have helped me now have the tools to work through the crippling fear on my own. I remembered all of the work I’d done, remembered that I actually now had the ability, and that I couldn’t let this fear keep me from moving forward. I pushed through, and I walked back to my house, by myself, using only the cane. Despite the fear trying its best to keep me from getting there.
Guest Blog – Making the Internet a more inclusive place with accessiBe by Sheldon Lewis.
The reality is that only 3% of websites are accessible to disabled people. accessiBe has products and solutions to help any business or developer make their website and resources accessible, so that everyone can use them.
The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-11)
To institutionalize our work, we have made our resources and tools available to all on the Disability Independence Group Inc. website under Projects and on the Miami Inclusion Alliance YouTube channel.
3 Important Steps to Enjoying the Holidays
There may be extra things involved to ensure that you have an enjoyable time. Know that it’s worth it when you’re enjoying your event. Will there be times when you have to decline an invitation because you’re not up to it or the logistics are too challenging? Yes, and it’s ok. It’s important that you take good care so that you can enjoy all the wonders of this holiday season!
