Disability Connection

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  • Jan, Thu, 2013

Out with the old- Social Security to stop using negative term…

The Social Security Administration will replace the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability”. More than two years after all federal  health, education, and labor policies were legally required to make the switch under Rosa’s Law, Social Security will voluntarily make the switch.

“‘Advocates for individuals with intellectual disability have rightfully asserted that the term ‘mental retardation’ has negative connotations, has become offensive to many people, and often results in misunderstandings about the nature of the disorder and those who have it,” the Social Security Administration said in a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on Monday.” (Thanks to Michelle Diament of Disability Scoop – read the full article here.)

Social Security will now refer to “mentally retarded children” as “children with intellectual disabilities” according to the notice. “Changing how we talk about people with disabilities is a critical step in promoting and protecting their basic civil and human rights…This is an important moment for people with disabilities because Social Security is a lifeline to so many.” -Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc. It’s about time the rest of the world got with it too – categorizing people by their abilities is harmful! We are all people, just WITH different abilities.

PEOPLE FIRST.

  • Jan, Wed, 2013

United Way – Free Income Tax Preparation

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United Way of South Mississippi Live United - United Way
EITC bag graphic

Free help is available at the following VITA sites beginning January 30.

BILOXI

Moore Community House

406 Davis St.
Tues & Thurs 6-8pm
Sat 9am-3pm
228-436-6601
Visions of Hope
618 Division St.
Tues & Wed 2pm-5pm
228-435-9200

 GULFPORT

 Gulf Coast Community Action Agency

500 24th St.
Mon-Thurs 5pm-7pm
Sat 9am-12pm
228-896-1409
Mercy Housing
1135 Ford St.
Mon, Wed, Fri 10am-4pm
Tues & Thurs 10am-7pm
Sat by appt. only
228-896-1945

Climb CDC

1223 30th Ave.
Mon-Fri 9am-3:30pm
Sat 9am-12:30pm
228-864-6677

WAVELAND

Gulf Coast Community Action Agency 638 Hwy 90 Mon-Thurs 5pm-7pm Sat 10am-12pm 228-467-0158

MOSS POINT

 Jackson County Civic Action

5343 Jefferson St.

Mon-Thurs 5pm-7pm
Sat 9am-12pm
228-471-1254

No appt. necessary

 LUCEDALE

 Gulf Coast Community Action Agency

7102 Hwy 98 E Tues-Thurs 5pm-7pm Sat 10am-12pm 601-947-7426

Note: All times are by appointment only, unless otherwise stated.

  • Jan, Mon, 2013

Federal Ruling: SPORTS ARE A CIVIL RIGHT!

Schools Must Offer Students with Disabilities Equal Access to School Sports

On Friday, in a landmark decision,  the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights said that children with disabilities have the right to participate in their school’s extracurricular activities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students with disabilities must now be given an opportunity to play for their school teams with modifications and aids as required. This applies to grade, secondary, and even college-level public institutions.

However, where accommodations would “fundamentally alter” the sport, or create an unfair advantage, schools must create a separate, but equal sports opportunity for children with disabilities to participate. And, students will still have to try-out and will have to meet certain skill standards to join, just like other students.

“Sports can provide invaluable lessons in discipline, selflessness, passion and courage, and this guidance will help schools ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to benefit from the life lessons they can learn on the playing field or on the court,” – Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

  • Jan, Mon, 2013

Health Care Reform’s Impact on People with Disabilities

Thanks to JustAdvocacy.org: “Information courtesy of United Spinal Association and the American Association on Health and Disability

Webinar January 30

Health Care Reform’s Impact on People with Disabilities

On January 30, the United Spinal Association and the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) will present an informative webinar that will explain what people with disabilities need to know about health care reform and how it will affect access to health insurance.

This webinar will answer the tough questions regarding the Affordable Care Act, focusing on pre-existing conditions, the elimination of certain coverage limits, health insurance marketplaces, and state incentives to expand Medicaid coverage.

Learn how U.S. health care has changed since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in March 2010, and how it may affect you.

Participants will have the opportunity to share their questions and comments, as well as discover ways to be proactive in their home state to get the best health care coverage.

Health Care Reform’s Impact on People with Disabilities:

The Road Ahead

Webinar Wednesday, January 30,

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm EST

Register here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/922978498

For questions or more information, contact AASD here: http://www.aahd.us/contact/

  • Jan, Thu, 2013

FREE Income Tax Preparation Assistance is Available for those making less than $51,000 in 2012

Free income tax preparation assistance is available for those who made less than $51,000 in 2012.

http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/

Provider Distance

Dates

Hours

Languages Appointment

TABERNACLE OF FAITH FSA 3280 39TH AVENUE SELF-PREP TAXES ONLY GULFPORT, MS 39501 Get Directions

0.7 MI

22 JAN 2013 – 11 APR 2013

MON

10:00AM

2:00PM

TUE

10:00AM

2:00PM

WED

10:00AM

2:00PM

THU

10:00AM

2:00PM

FRI

10:00AM

2:00PM

SAT

11:00AM

2:00PM

ENGLISH NOT REQUIRED
CLIMB COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP 1223 30TH AVENUE GULFPORT, MS 39501 228-864-6677 Get Directions 2.2 MI 25 JAN 2013 – 11 APR 2013 ENGLISH REQUIRED
GULF COAST CAA GULFPORT 500 24TH STREET GULFPORT, MS 39501 228-896-1409 Get Directions 2.7 MI 22 JAN 2013 – 11 APR 2013 ENGLISH REQUIRED
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI FSA 730 EAST BEACH BOULEVARD SELF-PREP TAXES ONLY LONG BEACH, MS 39560 Get Directions 3.8 MI 22 JAN 2013 – 01 MAR 2013 ENGLISH
MERCY HOUSING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 1135 FORD STREET GULFPORT, MS 39507 Get Directions 5.3 MI 22 JAN 2013 – 11 APR 2013
MON

10:00AM

4:00PM

TUE

10:00AM

7:00PM

WED

10:00AM

4:00PM

THU

10:00AM

7:00PM

FRI

10:00AM

4:00PM

SAT

10:00AM

12:00PM

ENGLISH VIETNAMESE SPANISH NOT REQUIRED
MOORE COMMUNITY HOUSE 406 DAVIS STREET BILOXI, MS 39530 228-297-5074 Get Directions 13.0 MI 22 JAN 2013 – 11 APR 2013 ENGLISH REQUIRED
VISIONS OF HOPE 618 DIVISION STREET BILOXI, MS 39530 228-435-9200 Get Directions 13.1 MI 29 JAN 2013 – 10 APR 2013 ENGLISH REQUIRED

GULF COAST CAA WAVELAND 638 HIGHWAY 90 WAVELAND, MS 39576 228-467-0158 Get Directions

18.6 MI

22 JAN 2013 – 11 APR 2013

ENGLISH

REQUIRED

  • Jan, Wed, 2013

CDC: People with Special Needs Should Be on High Alert For The Flu

Thank you Michell Diament, of Disability Scoop Magazine

“Health officials are urging people with disabilities to be especially vigilant. While no more likely to get the flu than typically developing individuals, those with neurologic conditions like intellectual disability and cerebral palsy are more prone to hospitalization and even death as a result of the illness.

“We’re seeing similar patterns that we have seen in the past which is that people with neurologic conditions are at higher risk for complications,” said Georgina Peacock, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at the CDC, who indicated that those within this population should be on “high alert.”

Specifically, Peacock said that people with disabilities and their caregivers should make sure they’ve gotten a flu shot to help ward off the virus. Additionally, if flu symptoms like cough and fever present, those with disabilities should contact their doctor immediately. Early treatment with antiviral medication can make the illness less severe, experts say.

So far this flu season, 20 children and an unknown number of adults have died from the flu. And, at least 22 children and 84 adults with neurologic disorders have been hospitalized, federal data indicates.”

  • Jan, Wed, 2013

Christopher Reeves Foundation Peer Mentoring Program

From Bill Cawley, Director Peer & Family Support Program

Christoper & Dana Reeve Foundation

“Would you be interested in becoming a certified Reeve Foundation Peer Mentor at the upcoming training in New Orleans, Louisania?

The Reeve Foundation has scheduled a one-day peer mentor training on January 22, 2013. This is the only training we have scheduled for the New Orleans area, so if you are interested we strongly urge you to apply. Apply for consideration at www.reevepeermentor.org.

There is a significant gap in care and services for people living with paralysis, their family, friends and caregivers. The Reeve Foundation is looking to fill that void with our Peer & Family Support Program, a national peer mentoring program. You can help by becoming a Reeve Certified peer mentor.

The Reeve Foundation’s Peer & Family Support Program mission is to empower people living with paralysis, their families and caregivers by helping them to live full, healthy, active lives. By sharing emotional support, honest advice and real-world experiences with people seeking support, a peer mentor helps to improve the lives of others dealing with the many unique challenges faced by our community.

The Reeve Foundation is actively seeking people living with paralysis, family members and caregivers to become volunteer peer mentors. The people who can have the greatest impact on others’ lives are those who have been there and are thriving. A Reeve Foundation peer mentor will go through a specialized certification process that will include on-line work in advance of an on-site training.

Are you interested in becoming a Reeve Foundation Peer Mentor? Apply for consideration at www.reevepeermentor.org.

To inquire about the Peer & Family Support Program, please contact the Paralysis Resource Center at 800-539-7309 or email Bill Cawley at bcawley@christopherreeve.org.”

  • Dec, Thu, 2012

Dance of the Hands

The Thousand-Hand Guanyin

Besides being astounding simply because of the tight coordination required, all the performers of the Thousand-Hand Guanyin in this video are deaf-mutes. The dancers rely only on signals from trainers at the four corners of the stage.

The first major international debut was in Athens at the closing ceremonies for the 2004 Paralympics.   However, the Thousand-Hand Guanyin has long been in the repertoire of the Chinese Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe, and has been performed in more than 40 countries. The lead dancer is 29 year old Tai Lihua, who has a Bachelor’s of Arts from the Hubei Fine Arts Institute. The video was recorded in Beijing during the Spring Festival this year. Please enjoy!

Dance of the Hands

  • Dec, Sun, 2012

Cafe TA Center Presents a newsletter on Medicaid Expansion

cafe ta

Courtesy of The Family Cafe:

“The CAFE TA Center has developed its newest Focus newsletter to examine one of the biggest changes to healthcare on the horizon:

Medicaid expansion

Right now, states are deciding whether or not to opt in to the part of the Affordable Care Act that will allow them to add newly eligible individuals to their Medicaid roles. As many individuals with behavioral health needs are single adults that would qualify for Medicaid if expansion in their states were to move forward, the issue of potential expansion becomes particularly relevant. To help describe what’s at stake, and how an expanded Medicaid program would work, The CAFE TAC is pleased to share this new Focus on Medicaid expansion.

Please check it out today!”