Tag Archives: disabilities

voting button in red white and blue with stars and strips and 2024 in the middle

Voting- Key Dates for Florida 2024

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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 graphic for the ada 34th anniversary it says ada 34

The 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)!

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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

love is love with rainbow colors behind the words

Happy Pride Month: The Evolution of The LGTBQIA+ Flag

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

blue hurricane evacuation route sign

Hurricane Preparedness: Emergency & Evacuated Assistance Program (EEAP)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

With hurricane season approaching, make sure to get ahead by registering for the Emergency & Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP). This program is designed to provide evacuation support to residents that may need specialized transportation assistance or those whose medical needs prevent them from evacuating themselves.

mental health awareness with green ribbon

May is Mental Health Awareness Month (2024)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Remember Help is always available – The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7 Free and confidential support. It’s never too late to get help.

black and white headshot of justine smiling at the camera

The View From Here (24-05)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

Sando family standing together smiling outside on a sunny day

Can’t I Just Plug Autism into my GPS?

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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. 

black and white headshot of justine smiling at the camera

The View From Here (24-02)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

voting button in red white and blue with stars and strips and 2024 in the middle

Register to Vote.

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Be Election Ready in 2024. The deadline to register for an upcoming election is 29 days before that election.

voting button in red white and blue with stars and strips and 2024 in the middle

March 19, 2024, is the Presidential Preference Primary Election in Florida.

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Be Election Ready in 2024. This year only registered Republicans voters are eligible to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary Election in Florida.

the mia logo

The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-11)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

tracey wearing a bright blue sweater smiling and standing next to a wall

3 Important Steps to Enjoying the Holidays

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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!

miami inclusion alliance institute logo

The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-10)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

The #1Thing campaign challenges each of us to identify new ways to move forward together towards ending domestic violence.
It recognizes how each one of us can make a difference.
It reminds us that we each have a voice and that voice can make a difference and that change can start with each of us doing just one thing.

justine sitting in her car smiling wearing a black dress

The View From Here (23-10)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

If I can go, in my wheelchair, after all of the medical issues and tests I had just been through, and get my mammogram, so can you. I know it can be scary. I know it’s a hassle. I know you have to find the time, I know you have a million things to do and you really don’t want to do it. But early detection is the key. If there is something there, you need to know now so you can take care of it and keep your life going. And, most importantly, keep on living…Just like I did!

let people vote with a check mark

Voting Resources 2023

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

We are heading into the election season, and we want everyone to be prepared, get registered, and have plenty of time to learn about the candidates, the issues, and all of the ways that you can vote.

HHS Logo

HHS announces a historic notice of proposed rulemaking for section 504!

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

HHS announces a historic notice of proposed rulemaking for section 504!
Below is a summary of this important update and what it means for people with disabilities.
There will be a public comment period for this proposed rule. The comment period will be open for 60 days for members of the public to provide comments. The comments must be received on or before November 13, 2023.

justine sitting in her car smiling wearing a black dress

The View From Here (23-09)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

As much as I’ve progressed in my journey living with SCI, battled paralysis, fought with everything I possibly could to walk once again, and as much as I am grateful for this new life that has given me tremendous perspective and an outlook of gratitude, the likes of which I’d never known before; the memory of this day, the day I fell, the year that followed and how my life changed in an instant, brings up a lot of emotions for me. And a ton of tears.

Alex standing in front of palm trees smiling and wearing a black dress

SuperHuman Hope

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Over the last 7 years I have learned to hope. I hope for the day my patients are treated with the same kindness and respect they give. I hope for the day considerations for buildings, airplanes, outdoor spaces, events, and homes include accessibility for all. I hope for the day the public sees someone who moves differently from them as an asset to our society. I hope for the inspiring moments where my patients take back some of their autonomy and begin to command their resilient ever-beating superpower: Hope, and harness control of their lives.

Dwight outside in his wheelchair smiling and wearing sunglasses

Positivity after SCI

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

“The most interesting man in the world” is what my friends would joke around with me and say. Son, brother, husband, father of two young children. Pilot, airframe and powerplant mechanic, marine seaman, operations manager. Life was full. Full of adventure and full of promise. One bite, and in a moment, it took a turn for what could be perceived as the most daunting and uncertain life ahead.

miami inclusion alliance institute logo

The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-08)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Stalking can include unwanted following or approaching, unwanted use of tracking or monitoring using technology, unwanted phone calls, texts, emails. It can be anything that is a pattern of harassing or threatening, that causes unwanted fear or safety concerns in a victim.
The problem is huge with about 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men reporting experiencing stalking at some point in their lives. (National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey)