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Creating a Connected Community
Creating a Connected Community
Please “Save the Date” for a Playground Planting Party
(also called the “I Love My Playground Party”) at the Disability Community Playground,
Hwy 53, Gulfport, on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, from 10:00-1:00.
Lunch will be provided.
For children and adults with mental and physical challenges
•Opening ceremonies are March 22 at 8:30 a.m.
•Games every Tuesday at the A.J. Holloway Sports Complex; 6 p.m. for youth age division and 7 p.m. for adult division.
•Registration is free and uniforms are given to all the players.
•Challenger League is co-sponsored by Little League Incorporated.
•All players will be assisted at the games by players of the Major Little League teams.
To register or for further information
contact Cheryl Bell, Director of Parks & Recreation at 388-7170 or email at cbell@biloxi.ms.us.
Visit us online at biloxi.ms.us/pr
via VirtualLinks.org
AbilityLinks.org VIRTUAL JOB FAIR
TUESDAY, MARCH 25 to THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014
JOB SEEKERS
EMPLOYERS
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
Take 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.
Buddy 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.
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
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:
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
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
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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
Disability Connection, a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Corporation.
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 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.
Disability Connection, 700 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS, 39501
228.870-7775; Fax 228.284.4419
Office@DisabilityConnection.org
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.”
“Being brave is not supposed to be easy.” Sam Berns gave this speech just before he passed away. This particular quote is one of many that I will always remember. If you have not already watched this video about Sam’s philosophy for a happy life or his documentary, “Life According to Sam”, I would encourage you to watch both. Sam was a hero. His words have changed the world for the better. I am going to post his three tips for a happy life on my refrigerator at home. In closing, another quote comes to mind:
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
Thank you Sam. Rest in peace.
