Tag Archives: disability rights
Benefits 26-04
The Bottom Line: You can work, You can protect your benefits, You can increase your income.
With the right guidance, work becomes an opportunity—not a risk.
A Landmark Decision Years in the Making
This month, the 11th Circuit made something clear: The ADA is violated not only when individuals are institutionalized, but also when state systems place them at serious risk of institutionalization.
The court recognized that systemic failures in providing services can be a form of discrimination.
State Elections: Why They Matter in 2026
State decisions have a direct impact on people with disabilities. These decisions affect access to health care and support services, funding for disability programs, and whether housing and transportation are accessible.
The View From Here (26-03)
For decades, disability advocacy has focused on access: access to buildings, transportation, education, employment and civic participation. Those efforts have opened doors that were once firmly closed. But, I believe, representation is what truly changes hearts and minds. It sends a message to those of us living with disabilities that You Belong Here Too. Not just in spaces that were designed specifically for you. But everywhere.
Federal Elections: Why They Matter in 2026
Federal elections directly affect the laws and programs that support people with disabilities. These decisions affect daily life, such as healthcare, housing, employment, education, and independence.
When Congress changes, priorities, funding, and protections can change. For people with disabilities, these choices matter.
Your vote helps shape the direction of federal policy and the future of disability rights.
The View From Here (26-02)
For some time now, I have felt a quiet pull to more intentionally merge art with advocacy. This role is another step in doing just that. I truly feel that disability representation expands creativity. It brings depth, resilience, and a perspective that the world needs more of. Theater uniquely asks us not just to witness a story, but to feel it. And that is often the beginning of change.
Voting in 2026
Check your registration and voting status, make sure you can vote this election cycle.
Update on DIG’s Supper Social Club
As we continued to meet, we watched people come out of their shells. Those same young adults who were once quiet began starting conversations, forming friendships, and looking forward to each event. Confidence grew. Laughter came easier. The Supper Social Club became more than dinner; it became a place of belonging.
From Being a Number to Building Possibility
If you are navigating life with a disability, know this: Your path does not need to mirror anyone else’s to be meaningful. The journey is not about returning to who you were – it is about discovering who you can still become.
Benefits – 26-01
People with disabilities can work without losing their financial security or health care benefits. There are many programs available that make it possible to still collect benefits while working. Here is a brief overview of a few programs available.
Happy Holidays 2025
DIG will continue to advocate, educate, and empower because every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and full participation in their community. Thank you for being part of our journey this year and being part of the DIG family.
Benefits – 25-09
If you are a person with a disability and pursuing employment, you are not alone. You can find many agencies providing employment support and help you to reach your vocational goal.
What You Should Know About Your Parental Rights
If parents truly have the right to “direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children,” then let’s use this law to change how we teach students in separate classrooms, students in modified/access point programs, and even those students in behavior programs.
If the system needs to change, and we believe that it does, then let’s make it better and stronger and safer for all students.
The Americans with Disabilities Act at 35: A Promise in Peril
The rollback of disability rights has also been fueled by the broader political push to eliminate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs. These initiatives were designed to ensure that workplaces and institutions reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, including people with disabilities. Yet in the current climate, DEIA has been mischaracterized as “wokeness” and dismissed as a matter of preference rather than a matter of rights. This framing is not only inaccurate, it is dangerous. It ignores the legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodations and treats the needs of disabled individuals as optional.
35th Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
While the ADA reshaped the American society for the better by enabling millions living with disabilities to participate more fully in everyday life, we can use this celebration of it’s signing to recommit ourselves to the ADA’s vision – A nation where every individual, regardless of ability, can live with dignity, opportunity and independence. The ADA’s 35th anniversary is not just a celebration – it is a call for all of us to continue the work.
Preparing a Pet Plan: Hurricane Preparedness
It’s important to have a plan in place that accounts for every family member, including your pet. For many of us, our pets aren’t simply animals; they are family. They rely on us for food, shelter, and safety, just as much as we rely on them for companionship. This month we are focusing on making sure your furry friends are prepared and safe during a storm.
Taking Action: How You Can Make a Difference – The 4-step guide
Advocacy can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we created this four-part Taking Action series to break it down into simple, meaningful steps. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to do more, these tips will help you stay informed, get involved, and make your voice count.
The View From Here (25-06)
By: Justine Chichester “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved, we can never lose. For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller My father died early on a Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025. Just two months ago. He had been ill for a little over two years. As… Read More »
Text-to-911 is now available in Miami-Dade County
Residents can now send text messages to 911 during emergency situations.
The Text-to-911 service is operational across all of Miami-Dade County’s 911 call centers.
Taking Action: Stay Informed – Part 4
When you keep up with what’s happening in your community and beyond, you’re always ready to take action when it matters most.
