“I Love My Playground” Party
Please come share a fun time at the Playground! Registration not required, but appreciated.
2014-Mississippi Gives Day
Mark the Date: 12/10/14!!!
Disability Connection is participating in Mississippi Gives Day! You will have 24 hours to give where you live! Please help spread the word and donate to help Disability Connection continue our mission of “Creating a Connected Community…”! The link below will take you directly to our page: https://mississippigives.org/c/MGD/a/disabilityconnection
2014-Ocean Springs announces a Disability Connection office in City Hall
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) –
The city of Ocean Springs will pay the owners of Psycamore nearly half a million dollars as part of a settlement with the psychiatric counseling clinic. The 437,500 settlement covers Psycamore’s damages and costs associated with the case. The city will also provide additional training for a current employee to serve as the city’s ADA Compliance Officer. That person will, most likely, be a senior official in the Building Department. City elected officials, selected staff and members of the Planning Commission will also undergo several hours of training on the city’s obligations under the ADA, according to a plan approved by United States Department of Justice. Ocean Springs city leaders have partnered with Disability Connection, a Gulf Coast advocacy organization for people with mental and physical disabilities, to provide office space in the Mayor’s Office for an outreach resource manager to counsel citizens in Jackson County when they have complaints or are in need of services. Phone # (228) 870-7775. Please click link below for full story:
http://www.wlox.com/story/27480991/ocean-springs-settles-with-psycamore-owners
2014-Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, “The Big Idea”
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation launched a campaign that will redefine what it means to live with SCI. This initiative, called The Big Idea, will support the next phase epidural stimulation research and recruit 36 new candidates to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention in restoring autonomic functions, movement below the injury level, as well as the ability to stand. Please click the link for more information: www.reevebigidea.org
2014-Veterans Virtual Career Fair
MEET LIVE WITH RECRUITERS ONLINE • More than 81,000 veterans hired since September 2011 • Chat live with recruiters in their virtual booths • View/apply for jobs in real time • Win great prizes like IPad and Visa gift cards
2015-Ocean Springs Mega Reunion (June 19-21)
Ocean Springs Mega Reunion June 19-21, 2015
All Inclusive Event with Disability Connection serving as fiscal agent
2014-Special Needs Halloween Costume Ball
2014-Special Needs Halloween Costume Ball!
- Oct. 17, 2014–6pm-10pm
- Sponsored by the City of Biloxi
- Dr. Frank Gruich Sr. Community Center (591 Howard Ave.)
- Free Admission & Free Food
- Costume Contest
- RSVP to Director’s office @ 228-388-7170
Volunteers Help Veteran Build Ramp
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) – A Navy veteran was moved to tears Monday when volunteers showed up at his home on 36th Street in Gulfport. John Walker desperately needed a wheelchair ramp for his wife, who’s coming home from the hospital in a few days. He didn’t ask for help. But several organizations decided to team-up to get the project rolling. Volunteers unloaded a pile of lumber as they prepared for a project that will take several days. Mr. John Walker didn’t expect to see the outpouring of support. “Oh, it’s great!” he said with a big smile. His wife of more than 50-years, Kathleen, recently broke her leg. Realizing she needed a wheelchair ramp, the 85-year old man decided to build one himself. “To get her inside easier, and I was even going to put a chain to it to pull it in,” said Walker. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Harrison County (RSVP) heard about Mr. Walker’s situation and contacted Disability Connection. “We came and inspected it and it did not look like it was as safe as it should be. It did not look like it would survive long term, so we agreed to basically start over and give him a fresh brand, new ramp,” said Disability Connection Executive Director Janie O’Keefe. The Home Depot donated the materials. Volunteers, like U.S. Army Specialist Kegan Wood, signed-up to help. Disability Connection also offers emergency home repairs and home weatherization for veterans, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Veterans get priority. For more information, you can call the organization at (228) 604-4020 or (228) 870-7775.
2014 “Sock Hop Oldies Concert”
- OS Mega Reunion & Disability Connection Fundraiser
- (click on flier for more detail)
