We are so excited to announce our Summer Bowling Event! The event will be on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Bird Bowl from 10 am until 12 noon. You can join us in person for a fun morning of bowling! If you can’t join us in person, you can still support the event as a phantom bowler. You can register here for the event. Like all of our Supper Social Club events, we will have a raffle at the end. We are so excited to announce that we have had donations from Bark Box, Milam’s, and Chipotle so far. Follow our social media accounts to stay up to date on the bowling event. I can’t wait to see everyone on July 14 for bowling! | |
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Hurricane Preparedness: Emergency & Evacuated Assistance Program (EEAP)
By: Celeste Mazloum
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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. Pre-registered residents will receive priority during and after an emergency, so make sure to register if you are eligible! People who are eligible to register can include but are not limited to the following: Read More Here | |
DIG's Projects In The Community | |
The Wallet Card Project focuses on helping people with disabilities and first responders communicate with each other. | |
The Wallet Card Project Update
The Transition Academy – Bridgeport Public Schools
We have had a wonderful experience obtaining Wallet Cards through DIG over the last few years. The video clips are relatable, and the students enjoyed watching it and discussing how they would respond if put in that situation. Some of our students struggle with communication, particularly when out of context and with strangers. We really like that the Wallet Card allows the reader to identify the best strategies to communicate with the individual and the emergency contact info for a family member. Not all of our students have phones, and some don't always remember to carry a list of emergency phone numbers on them, so having this on the card is a perfect solution. The website is easy to use, and Debbie has been great with following up if she has a question about each application.
Thank you for helping our students to be as independent as they can be!
Rachel and James Estes
The Transition Academy
Bridgeport, Connecticut
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Join Us for Our Next Exciting Event!
Bowling, Pizza, Awesome Raffle Prizes and Lots of Fun
Everyone is Welcome!
All Ages and All Abilities!
Family-Friendly!
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A Very Special Thanks to:
Milam's Markets, BarkBox, Chipotle and Grou Coffee & CoWork
for
Their Generous Contributions to our Raffle Prizes!
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We are always looking for donations for Raffle Prizes for our DIG events! Specifically, we are looking for gift cards to fun places or restaurants. The purpose of the gift cards is to give our guests a reason to try something new, or to go out in the community and be involved.
Examples are: A gift card to any restaurant, or a movie theatre or another entertainment place. Or a gift card for a cup of coffee or any drink at Starbucks.
We want our group to be out in the community having fun, socializing, and living a fabulous life!
Please bring your donated raffle prizes to our next event, or you can mail them to us at:
Disability Independence Group
P.O. Box 140850
Coral Gables, FL 33114-0850
Do you have other ideas for our DIG Event Raffle Prizes?
Please send them via email to Debbie Dietz
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Happy Pride Month
The Evolution of The LGTBQIA+ Flag
By: Celeste Mazloum
The month of June is a celebration of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people as a social group. The label “pride” provides a positive identity to this community opposed to society’s stigma of shame. This celebration began in June of 1999 when US President Bill Clinton declared every June in America as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. Eventually in 2011, Barack Obama expanded this to include bisexual and transgender individuals. Today, 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. Read More Here
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The Proper Use of Benefits (SSI)
By: Lesly Quintanilla Lopez
A payee must use benefits in the best interests of the beneficiary, according to his/her best judgment. Food and lodging are considered first priority expenses. After that, clothes, health care and transportation are probably second tier priorities. Education and job training are important as well. Beyond that, the money can be spent for the emotional well-being and recreation of the recipient. But given the amounts involved, there isn't much left for that.
First, you must make sure the beneficiary’s day-to-day needs for food and shelter are met. Then, the money can be used for any of the beneficiary’s medical and dental care that is not covered by health insurance, and for personal needs, such as clothing and recreation. If there is money left after you pay for the beneficiary’s needs, it must be saved, in Special accounts approved by SSA like Special needs Trust, ABLE trust account, IDA accounts, or PASS plan.
Read More Here
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DIG Attends the 2024 Family Café in Orlando, FL | |
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Above, there are several pictures from the event.
Top left, Debbie and Matt meeting dogs from Topaz Assistance Dogs. Topaz trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities.
Top right, Debbie standing in front of our Access the Vote Florida table in the vendor area. Debbie spoke about voting and shared REVUP information including pins, stickers, and t-shirts.
Middle photo is Jewel, Marsha Bukala's service dog. Jewel spent the day at Family Cafe and is wearing a red, white, and blue bandana to support our presentation on voting.
Bottom left, is a picture of Debbie, Marsha Bukala, Matt, and the NSU Law Students having dinner at the Olive Garden.
Bottom center, is a photo of the Access the Vote table with REVUP materials and information.
Bottom right is a picture of Debbie and Marilyn Baldwin during our presentation about Access the Vote Florida, REV UP, and the importance of voting. Marsha Bukala and Jewel were also presenters at this training.
Throughout the weekend we saw so many DIG friends including Catie Hastings from the City of Coral Gables, Kat Magnoli, and Andrew Sagona.
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General Voting Resources
We have created a page on our website that lists all of the current voting resources for the 2024 election cycle.
Resources
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The Miami Inclusion Alliance
This project looks at the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault system of care through the lens of victims with disabilities to identify organizational barriers.
Resources
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988 Lifeline
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) and is now active across the United States.
Learn More
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Subscribe to the
Florida Access Coalition's Mailing List
for Information On Accessible Performances in South Florida!
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Do you have suggestions for future content or articles for our monthly newsletter?
If so, email your ideas and suggestions to our newsletter editor,
Justine Chichester.
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