Tag Archives: discrimination

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?

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

Sheldon Lewis sitting in front of a computer screen wearing a light blue business shirt smiling at the camera

Guest Blog – Making the Internet a more inclusive place with accessiBe by Sheldon Lewis.

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

VoterRiders – Voter ID Help

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

An ID is essential to vote, but also for everyday life. The community members we assisted have claimed that their ID has saved their lives. IDs provide access to medical care, housing, and employment security for the most marginalized. ID issues affect those historically facing hurdles in accessing the ballot box.

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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.

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The Miami Inclusion Alliance (23-09)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Domestic violence takes many forms, including chronic arguing, yelling, intimidation, threats, serious injury and threats of murder. It is any pattern of behavior that is seeking destructive control.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that in homes where violence between partners occurs, there is a 45% to 60% chance of co-occurring child abuse.

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.

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Parenting with a Disability

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Florida, and many other states, have a policy that, before removing a child from the home, the state must exhaust all reasonable efforts to ensure that families remain unified and must give parents with disabilities reasonable accommodations to do so.