Disability Connection

Loading

Archives February 2014

Ability Links Logo
Uncategorized

2014 Virtual Job Fair: March 25 – 27

via VirtualLinks.org

How to Sign Up for Virtual Job Fair

AbilityLinks.org VIRTUAL JOB FAIR

TUESDAY, MARCH 25 to THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Ability Icons

JOB SEEKERS

  1. POST/UPDATE YOUR RESUME. (If new to AbilityLinks, you will also need to create an account.)
  2. CLICK LINK TO SUBMIT SIGN UP FORM

 

EMPLOYERS

  1. POST A CURRENT JOB(s). (If new to AbilityLinks, you will also need to create an account.)
    CLICK LINK TO SUBMIT SIGN UP FORM.
    Tips: Your job posting(s) must be current.
    If you add jobs after submitting the sign up form, resubmit the form to include the new jobs.
    Before the job fair you will receive live chat information.


Have a question or need assistance?

Ken Skord
Director, AbilityLinks Program
26W171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Tel. 630:909-7440
Fax: 630:909-7441
Email: kskord@abilitylinks.org

Janice Duvall
Information Specialist
26W171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Tel: 630:909-7443
Fax: 630:909-7441
Email: jduvall@abilitylinks.org

Bill O’Connor
Information Specialist
26W171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Tel: 630:909-7444
Fax: 630:909-7441
Email: boconnor@abilitylinks.org

MS Megaconference logo 2014
News

2014 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference

Via www.msmegaconference.org

The Mississippi disAbility MegaConference is one of Mississippi’s largest conferences for individuals with disabilities, their families, and professionals.

Megaconference participantTake part in the 2014 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference by submitting a presentation proposal to one of the most diverse gatherings in the state. Be a part of change in Mississippi and participate in discussions that stimulate and invigorate the mind, body and soul. With more than 500 people expected in 2014, the MegaConference has the advantage of harnessing the brilliance of people who are the community builders of today and the trendsetters of tomorrow. This conference embraces the ideal that people with disabilities and their families can and should seek knowledge, hope, choice and fulfillment to live their best life.

View Registration Information

Child Plays Baseball
Uncategorized

2014 Buddy Ball Registration

Buddy Ball

Everyone has the Ability to Play

A Division of Babe Ruth Baseball Inc.
Long Beach Youth Baseball (LBYB)

Child Plays BaseballBuddy Ball is for boys, girls and active adults with intellectual and/or physical disabilities that have the desire to play organized, non-competitive baseball. Each player is assigned a “Buddy” that assists with playing the game.

In Buddy Ball, all players get to hit, all players play the field, all players score, and all players win. Buddy Ball games are 2-3 innings long and last about one hour. Players are assigned to teams based on ability level. Players usually hit off a tee or the coach softly pitches to them. Buddy Ball games are played on Wednesday evenings along with other LBYB league games. The concession stand and restrooms are open and the teams have an umpire for their games. Volunteer Buddies help the players to play the game and parents/guardians/care-givers can sit back and watch. All players get a team uniform. All volunteers get a shirt. Everyone has a lot of fun.

 

Buddy Ball Volunteers/Players

All volunteer coaches and buddies, ages 18 and older, are required to have a background check. Once approved, they must also wear their LB identification badge when interacting with the players. All volunteers will receive training on how the Buddy Ball game is to be played and how to provide positive interaction with the players. Volunteers should make a concerted effort to attend games in order to ensure that every player has a buddy and consistency of the game is maintained. Volunteers of all ages will be allowed to be buddies as long as the individual is a proactive part of the program. Preferably, volunteers will be about the same age as the player so development of friendships will be promoted. All volunteers must complete a volunteer form and all players (parents/guardians) must complete a registration form.

LBYB BUDDY BALL registration form

Forms may also be picked up and dropped off at the Long Beach Recreation Center on Daugherty Road  Or contact us directly at: Contacts: Mike and Carolyn Crawford 228-860-9055 mikeandcarolyn@bellsouth.net

Blog , Community , News

Thank You CVS Caremark

Thank you for Assisting Disability Connection with the 26th Arbor Day Run/Walk/Roll!

February 18, 2014

Dear CVS Caremark,

Thank you for your sponsorship of the 2014 Arbor Day 5k -1 Mile Run/Walk/Roll. The Arbor Day event was incredibly successful, and it’s all thanks to organizations like yours.

Statistics are still being compiled, but raw numbers are as follows:

  • 75 organizations were part of the event.
  • Over 30 nonprofit, service, and health organizations participated, and at least 10 different schools and day programs brought individuals to participate.
  • Over 460 individuals registered and participated in the 26th Arbor Day 5k – 1Mile Run/Walk/Roll for Disability Awareness. And at least 50 additional participants walked the 1Mile – ¼ Mile challenge to support of individuals with disabilities.
  • More than 70 volunteers assisted with event set –up, implementation, and clean up, logging 350 philanthropic hours.
  • The Event received significant media attention. 5 TV stations did interviews, several newspaper, magazine, and radio stations provided additional coverage, and the event was posted on numerous community calendars.
  • The Event was promoted by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Tourism on their website.

Thank you for assisting Disability Connection in “creating a connected community.”

We look forward to working together again in the future to serve individuals with disabilities. News stories and photos will soon be posted at  www.DisabilityConnection.org with information about our next scheduled event, the Art Ability Fair, April 10th.

We will also be hosting a day of planting and partying with kids and adults with disabilities and the community at-large on our Disability Connection Community Playground. We expect to select a day in March for this event.
Our Best,

Janie O’Keefe
Executive Director

2014 GC Senior Games Logo
Uncategorized

2014 Mississippi Gulf Coast Senior Games

“2014 Senior Games”

April 5-12, 2014

Please join us in our eighth year of games! Enjoy yourself on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Meet new friends and take in the coastal pleasures. You can help make our games competitive. There are many other healthy activities planned in conjunction with our games. This is an excellent chance to socialize with your fellow seniors.

Sponsored by: The City of Biloxi and The City of Gulfport

2014 Senior Games Registration

Registration Deadline is March 25, 2014

———

Non-Ambulatory Sports Added for 2015 National Senior Games

Over the years much interest has been expressed in adding non-ambulatory competition within some of the sports offered in the National Senior Games.  We are pleased to announce that the 2015 National Senior Games Presented by Humana will be the first to offer non-ambulatory sport medal competition in Bowling, Horseshoes and Shuffleboard. Since many states do not offer this division of competition, criteria for qualifying will be expanded to welcome these new Senior Games participants. An athlete must submit verification of having competed in one non-ambulatory competition between January and December 31, 2014. Watch for more details to come

Arbor Day Runner at Finish Line
Blog , Community

2014 Run Walk Roll Success!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2014 RWR ROCK!

View Pictures Here

View Race Results Here


Donations can still be made via PayPal to

Disability Connection, a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Corporation.

Post by Disability Connection.

 

A fun event to encourage healthy lifestyles and disability awareness.

Arbor Day Race Starts

At Disability Connection (DC), our mission is “creating a connected community to inform, assist, and participate in collaborations that engage individuals with disabilities, eliminating barriers, and fostering cooperation and understanding.”

The Arbor Day Run/Walk/Roll is a fun event promoting healthy lifestyles to individuals of all ages with and without disabilities. This event has 3 goals: to promote healthy lifestyles, to encourage people with disabilities to be active community participants and join the fun of a Run, and to share information on community resources for people with disabilities and the underserved. An estimated 800 individuals participate each year.

The Arbor Day Finish Line PhotoThe event includes music, snacks, accessible sports demonstrations, and vendors promoting health and wellness. Individuals with disabilities will receive information on community resources, opportunities for socialization, and disability sports opportunities including tennis, basketball, soccer, and basketball. This event is in partnership with the Gulf Coast Running Club, the most respected running club in South Mississippi. The race includes a ¼ mile challenge so that everyone, including wheelchairs, can participate in the healthful benefits of a run with awards following.

 

 

Call the office for Sponsorship Information.

Disability Connection, 700 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS, 39501

228.870-7775; Fax 228.284.4419

Office@DisabilityConnection.org

 

IOD Webinar Logo
News

Institute on Disability Webinars

The first date has already passed, but there are 6 webinars left. This is a great resource for “educators, parents, paraprofessionals, school administrators, guidance counselors, related services providers, psychologists, university students, educational teams including families, and others interested in creating more inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities.”

Via University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability:

“This live webinar series is designed to support parents and educators who want a road map to guide the membership,participation, and learning of students with more significant disabilities in general education classrooms and other inclusive settings. During each webinar, examples will be given for elementary, middle, and high school, with the last session focusing on supporting students to go on to post-secondary education. Although all the sessions in the series build on the ones before it, the information in each can “stand alone.” We encourage teams to participate in the series together as each session has information targeted to both parents and educators, as well as related service providers.”

Download brochure here

Time:
3:30pm – 4:30pm EST
Registration Fee:
$59 each*
Webinar Instructor:
Cheryl Jorgensen, Ph.D.
Registration Deadline:
12:00pm ET, one business day prior to each webinar