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Governor's Office of Disability Affairs October 2022
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GOLD Awards & Inclusive Art Contest Nominations and Art Submissions Due October 31 | |
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The Governor's Office of Disability Affairs is proud to continue its rich tradition of hosting both the Governor's Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities (GOLD) Awards and the Inclusive Art Contest.
The GOLD Awards recognizes extraordinary people and organizations who have contributed their time and talents to benefit the lives of people with disabilities in Louisiana. The award categories are:
Distinguished Merit Award
Patsy Barrett Memorial Award
Ken Vince Memorial Award
April Dunn Youth of the Year
Educator of the Year
Family of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Employer of the Year
Service Provider of the Year
Direct Support Professional of the Year
Veteran of the Year
Service Animal of the Year
Elected Official of the Year
Public Servant of the Year
The nomination form for the 2022 GOLD Awards can be found at https://bit.ly/GOLDnomination.
The Inclusive Art Contest enables participants to increase awareness of the importance of inclusion in today's society through artistic expression. Entries should illustrate or describe ideas related to this year's theme:
"Show Your True Colors and Abilities"
The Inclusive Art Contest is open to any resident of Louisiana, with and without disabilities of any age. A medal and special recognition from Governor John Bel Edwards will be presented to the winners.
The deadline for submissions for both the 2022 GOLD Awards and Inclusive Art Contest is October 31st!
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Governor's Office of Disability Affairs Welcomes Ke'Andria Henry as Assistant Director
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Ke'Andria "K.J." Henry is now the Assistant Director of the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs. Previously serving as a Constituent Services Representative for the Governor's Office, she has been with this administration since January 2016.
K.J. has served an Associate Member on the John Bel Edwards, Governor-Elect Transition Team, the regional field director during Governor Edwards' 2015 campaign, and field organizer with the Louisiana Democratic Party.
K.J. has great passion for advocating and serving as a liaison for the people of Louisiana in order to improve their overall quality of life.
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! | |
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Gov. John Bel Edwards has proclaimed October as "Disability Employment Awareness Month" in Louisiana.
Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. In recognition of the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce, the theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2022 will be “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.”
The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has a variety of resources to help you celebrate the month, including:
- Posters in English and Spanish,
- Sample articles and proclamations, and
- Sample social media posts and tips to ensure your posts are accessible.
ODEP also has a “31 Days of NDEAM” calendar with daily activity ideas as well as specific ideas for disability-related organizations and employers.
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On Wednesday, October 12, 2022 between 9AM-12AM, the Louisiana Workforce Commission and Healthy Blue will be hosting a virtual job fair. This Brazen Job Fair Platform will allow you to join from anywhere!
All interest employers can contact your Regional Employment Specialist to register.
For questions and concerns, you can contact Brenda Bohrer by email at, BBohrer@lwc.la.gov or phone at (225) 219-2982.
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Governor’s
Office of
Elderly
Affairs
Newsletter
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The Louisiana Emergency Management Disability and Aging Coalition (EMDAC) has updated the Louisiana Guide to Supports & Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Elders and Their Families Affected by Disasters.
This guide provides the description and contact information of state agencies, education services, communication, transportation, advocacy and support groups, and disability specific organizations.
To view this guide, click this link.
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Disaster responders from government and non-government agencies, nonprofit organizations, legal organizations, and other community partners:
Save the Date
The Summit will bring together Louisiana disaster responders who seek to strengthen relationships between disaster response organizations and attorneys providing legal solutions that impact recovery.
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THURSDAY, NOV 3rd events will present opportunities for disaster responders and legal aid providers to share their expertise and learn about the critical role civil legal aid plays before, during, and after disasters. This day will include networking opportunities and training on strategies to mitigate legal barriers to disaster response.
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FRIDAY, NOV 4th will be dedicated to legal training for Louisiana attorneys who provide disaster response legal assistance. Louisiana civil legal aid providers will receive substantive law training and CLE credit.
Sign up to receive event information
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Emergency Management Access and Functional Needs Disability Awareness Training in Baton Rouge | |
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Niagara University Disability Awareness Training has received funding from the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council to educate anyone involved in emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery as it pertains to individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs. NU has tailored a presentation that identifies the responsibilities of both emergency management personnel and disability advocates during an emergency. This program will introduce the four modules necessary for proper response that include Disability Awareness Training, the Americans with Disabilities Act specific to Emergency management, emergency plan content, and Inclusive Planning and Active Participation.
Topics to be Discussed:
- Disability Awareness specific to Emergency Management
- Access and Functional Needs defined to include Universal Design
- Understanding how the whole community concept is imperative to proper response to individuals with disabilities and how to involve them.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act relative to Emergency management and response.
- Community resources and other materials that assist Emergency Management in proper response
- Disaster Preparedness and Planning
- Inclusive Planning and Active Participation
- NYC Lawsuit and its ramifications nationwide
For the November 9th-10th, 2022 8:30-4:30pm Registration, click here.
For the November 10th, 2022 12:30-4:30pm Registration, click here.
*This training will take place at the Red Cross Building located at
4655 Sherwood Common Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA*
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Split Second Foundation will host our 2nd Show of Love Gala, our premier fundraising event that harnesses the power of community to help break barriers for people living with disabilities. This event is the embodiment of the love we have shown to people in our community who need it the most.
Guests will experience a silent auction, New Orleans cuisine, an open bar and strategically branded activations throughout the Contemporary Arts Center’s 30,000 square foot ground floor. This year, we are thrilled to raffle off a brand new Honda Accord as well as gift a wheelchair accessible van to a family in need. The van giveaway is the manifestation of love in action, the very premise the Split Second Foundation was founded upon.
The Second Annual Show of Love Gala will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 6:30PM TIL 11:00AM at the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp Street New Orleans, LA 70130. Come out and enjoy Host Rob Nice Entertainment by DJ Rqaway, Mannie Fresh, and Big Sam’s Funky Nation.
To buy a raffle ticket for the Honda Accord, or to buy a ticket for this year’s Show of Love Gala, please click here.
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Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Racial and Health Equity Learning Lab, a 12-month program where cohort members increase their knowledge of core racial equity concepts and receive guidance as they incubate strategies designed to address systemic and institutional racism and the impact on community health throughout the state of Louisiana.
A few of the many benefits of participating in the Learning Lab include:
- Advancing leadership skills through increased knowledge, ability, and practice of health equity
- Developing a deeper understanding, compassion, and motivation to leverage leadership skills for action around issues of equity and fairness in the communities we serve
- Integrating principles of equity and racial justice into all elements of their leadership practice, including developing personal, institutional, and structural-level approaches to equity
- Developing long-term relationships and collaborations with peers to identify and implement next steps and strategies toward achieving goals
- Receiving guidance and support for applying knowledge and creating new community projects that support local change efforts
This program is being provided by Healthy Blue Louisiana and the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPH).
More information and the application can be found at: RacialAndHealthEquityLA.com.
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Disability Rights Louisiana: Medicaid Assistance | |
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The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council (Council) invites qualified and interested parties to review and respond to the following Solicitation of Proposals (SOP) toward the implementation of a Youth Leadership Forum!
Solicitation of Proposal for the Youth Leadership Forum
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The Louisiana Autism Spectrum and Related Disabilities (LASARD) September Newsletter is," All About Visuals!"
As educators and parents, we need to promote understanding and consistency for our children.. and ourselves, too! We at LASARD love Visual Schedules because they provide predictability and structure, facilitate transitions, and create independence!
To view this newsletter, select the, "Let's Get Visual," link!
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Louisiana’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps families with a parent or legal guardian who is working, attending school, or training for a job to pay for high-quality child care for children under age 13 or up to age 18 for children with special needs. To apply select this link. | |
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A new school year means new experiences, new teachers, and new goals. This guide provides a quick overview of what you can do to help prepare your child for a smooth transition back to school.
To view this resource, click guide.
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In this edition's Cover Story, Executive Director Mary Jacob, takes a deep look into the education system in Louisiana. In her article, "Escaping A Broken System," Mary interviews several parents who took on the role of homeschooling after the pandemic. This article is a must-read for every parent in our State.
With the holidays approaching, Sharon Blackmon, Director of Training, shares an article about how she learned a valuable lesson from a neighbor regarding gift giving for people with disabilities. Another must-read.
In addition to the above articles, there is much more for you to explore and enjoy.
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Book of the Month: Year of the Tiger - An Activist's Life | |
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In Chinese culture, the tiger is deeply revered for its confidence, passion, ambition, and ferocity. That same fighting spirit resides in Alice Wong.
Drawing on a collection of original essays, previously published work, conversations, graphics, photos, commissioned art by disabled and Asian American artists, and more, Alice uses her unique talent to share an impressionistic scrapbook of her life as an Asian American disabled activist, community organizer, media maker, and dreamer. From her love of food and pop culture to her unwavering commitment to dismantling systemic ableism, Alice shares her thoughts on creativity, access, power, care, the pandemic, mortality, and the future. As a self-described disabled oracle, Alice traces her origins, tells her story, and creates a space for disabled people to be in conversation with one another and the world.
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