Tag Archives: disability rights

logo for the celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the ADA

ADA 33

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

hurricane warning flag

DID YOU KNOW?: HURRICANE SEASON (emergency shelters)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

In the case of an evacuation, you must be prepared to go to a safe zone or transport yourself to an emergency shelter. Emergency shelters accept all people of all abilities as long as they are open, but if you require additional assistance you may want to look into the Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP) or registering at a Special Needs Shelter.

elevator doors with yellow warning tape across the doors

Featured Issue: Elevators & Elevators in Parking Garages

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

justine sitting in her car smiling wearing a black dress

The View From Here (23-06)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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?

screenshot of the miami herald article that is highlighted yellow

Miami Herald 5/19/23 Op-Ed–Take Steps

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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

miami inclusion alliance institute logo

The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-05)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

Sabrina One

My Experience as an Intern at DIG

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Working at DIG has been an extremely valuable experience for me. I was able to receive a hands-on experience in the non-profit world. I still remember my first meeting at DIG with my coworkers Debbie and Justine. They jumped right into the meeting and had me following along. They explained that they want me doing the work with them, so I was thrown right into the mix. I followed along in the meeting, asked questions, and was given my first assignments. This was the best thing that could have been done for me because it allowed me to contribute to the non-profit while learning about all of the work that I was doing simultaneously.

justine using her walker and getting help with her therapist who is standing and has her wheelchair behind him

The View From Here (23-05)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

hurricane warning flag

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

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

let people vote with a check mark

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

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

Purple and blue logo for the Miami Inclusion Alliance

The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-04)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, otherwise known as SAAM. Sexual assault is an issue that affects our entire community. The goal of SAAM is to raise awareness about sexual violence. During this month, people across the United States raise awareness about sexual violence, how to prevent it, and how to support those who are affected by it.

Jennifer stilling on a bench with two of her children and Blake standing behind her holding their third child

Chasing Autism Acceptance

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

hurricane warning flag

Did You Know? Hurricane Season (emergency kit)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

An emergency kit is a toolbox that should be catered to each individual’s needs. It should contain items you will need in your daily life, and it is recommended that at minimum, you pack enough to last you three days to a week’s worth of necessities.

Jordan in his wheelchair with his dog outside on the patio next to a pool

How life can change in the blink of an eye.

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

a selfie with sabrina and the other special olympics athletes

Martin Richard, Recreational Sports, and Community Building

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

I have played sports all my life, and they have allowed me to make some of my best friends. Recreational sports are such a great community building outlet which is why I wanted to remain involved once I entered college. At the University of Miami, I now play on a Special Olympics Unified team and compete against other schools playing alongside individuals from my community that I would have never met otherwise. It has truly been such a great experience, and it is all thanks to my hometown.

Purple and blue logo for the Miami Inclusion Alliance

Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-03)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

We have come a long way over the last 100 plus years but there is still much to be done to ensure a fully inclusive system of care for battered women. We still need the Battered Women’s Movement. We still have work to do.

justine sitting in her car smiling wearing a black dress

The View From Here (23-02)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Balancing our work and finding time for family and friends…and, most importantly, finding time for ourselves. It doesn’t have to take a person who is recovering from a disability to experience that. We all struggle with finding a work and life balance.

black background with 2023 february is balck history month in red, yellow, and green

Black History Through the Lens of Disabilities

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

As we have seen, there is a large intersectionality between being Black and having a disability. These two identities are not separate, rather overlapping entities that can help to raise awareness and equality for one another.

Purple and blue logo for the Miami Inclusion Alliance

Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-02)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

4 question marks with a blue background

Disability Resources Focus on Federal Tax

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged accounts which are funded by family members to cover qualified expenses for the disabled individual.