Tag Archives: disabilities

black and white headshot of justine smiling at the camera

The View From Here (24-11)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

I realize now, that in all of the tools in my toolbelt I’ve developed over 10 years of living with a disability, including learning to walk again, learning to drive using hand controls, navigating life using a mobility device; I was severely lacking in one basic tool that would assist me in a dangerous situation such as the one I was faced with last month. What do I do, as a person living with a disability, when I feel threatened?

disability designs logo with a moon in the center of the words

Disability Designs Etc.

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Our goal is to engage people both in and out of the disability community to consider various issues faced in society by persons with disabilities. The hope is that these products can be an avenue for dialogue to be initiated so that questions some people may have can be answered and we can all have the chance to have a better understanding of how things affect one another in our society.

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Benefits 24-11

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

The intent of asset building initiatives is that as individuals develop assets, they will be able to move out of poverty and remain out of poverty.

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Benefits 24-10

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

black and white headshot of justine smiling at the camera

The View From Here (24-09)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

I am reflective today of the challenges I’ve faced, the tremendous obstacles I’ve overcome and the enormous opportunities that have come my way because of all of it.

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Benefits 24-09

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

A few things to consider first: During an SGA determination, SSA looks at gross wages when they were earned, not when they were paid to you.  For example, if you get paid every week or every other week you will have some months when you get an extra paycheck.  SSA won’t count that extra paycheck when it was received – they are only interested in when the work was done that you got paid for.

DIG logo

My Experience As a DIG Summer Intern

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

hurricane warning flag

Hurricane Preparedness: you can refill your prescriptions in advance.

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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 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!