WebAIM (Accessibility In Mind) works with government, private and public organizations to make their Web content more useful to people with disabilities. If you have ten minutes to spare, you can help make the web more accessible!

WebAIM has launched two surveys – a Survey of Users with Low Vision and a Survey of Users with Motor Disabilities. If you have a vision or motor disability that impacts your ability use a computer, please take a moment to answer the survey. Responses are due March 15.

• The low vision survey is here: http://webaim.org/projects/lowvisionsurvey/

• The motor disability survey is here: http://webaim.org/projects/motordisabilitysurvey/

Survey results will help web designers, developers, and standards bodies make the web more useful to everyone. For questions or more information, contact WebAIM here: http://webaim.org/contact/ .

– Courtesy of Mary Troupe, Just Advocacy of Mississippi

Disability Connection hosted the first Celebration of Health on Friday, February 15th, at the Donal Snyder Community Center. The event was a huge success, with over 280 individuals in attendance. Thank you to all the community partners and event sponsors that made the Celebration of Health possible!

View the WLOX coverage of the Celebration of Health here.

By March 1, 2013, the Federal Government will only disperse electronic benefit payments.

If you receive Social Security, SSI, Veterans or other federal government benefits by check in the mail, you will have the option of having the money deposited directly in your savings or checking account, or onto a Direct Express debit Mastercard.

If you would like the debit card, do nothing. After March 1, you will automatically receive your payments on the card. If you prefer direct deposit, sign up at your local bank or credit union, or by calling (800) 333-1795. You can also sign up online at ttps://www.godirect.gov/gpw/index.gd .

Learn more about this change in your benefits at http://www.godirect.org/ .

– Thanks to JAM (Just Advocacy of Mississippi) –

NAMI Vicksburg will offer the 12-session Family to Family Class for families of adult individuals suffering from a mental illness.  This is a free course, and is designed to meet the needs of family members and caretakers. The course covers mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc.; medications and treatment; coping; communication skills; empathy; and other important information. 

The class will begin Feb. 18th, and will meet on Monday and Thursday from 6 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of Warren-Yazoo Mental Health Admin. Bldg. on Wisconsin Ave. 

Pre-registration is required.  Contact Ann Jensen, Family Education Coordinator, at NAMI MS Office—800-357-0388  

Congressman Gregg Harper reintroduced a proposal that revamps federal programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, as they transition from high school into the working world.

“In order for individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their maximum potential, Congress must enact a systems change,” said Harper, a longtime champion for the disabilities community. “The current federal disability laws are hopelessly outdated and will ultimately lead to unemployment and poverty for these children.”

Congressman Harper’s proposal looks to improve the current system in place. Read more about his plan HERE.

Hosted by the Mississippi Coast Interfaith Disaster Task Force, the 2013 Community Wellness Conference is May 22-23, 2013 at the Biloxi Civic Center. The theme for this year’s conference is “The Art of Active Health Living”.

“This training opportunity will include speakers and breakout sessions by primary and
mental health care professionals; nutritional and fitness professionals as well as a range of topics to promote community wellness projects. [IDTF believes] that community wellness starts with education and a proactive approach to decreasing the incidence of illness related to lifestyle and health choices. This year’s conference will offer more opportunities for participants to develop strategies to inform and involve the public in making Mississippi a
healthier place to live. The Planning Committee is also working on providing CEUs for health care professions and CMEs for physicians, nurses and others in the wellness community. Last year the Community Wellness Conference provided up to 13 CEUs for qualified participants. Some of the workshops that will be offered are Bullying Prevention Methods, Ethics In the Age of Social Media, Alzheimer’s Disease and Caregivers,
Art Therapy Techniques, Total Health, Risking Connections and Trauma Informed
Care among others.  [They] anticipate having 4 plenary sessions and 24 breakout sessions.”

Register for the Conference on the IDTF website or by contacting Genia Crane (gcrane@msidtf.org or 228-206-4177).

The Kennedy Center and VSA are accepting entries for the 2013 Emerging Artists Program. This is a national exhibition of emerging artists between the ages of 16-25, with disabilities. Fifteen artists will be selected and the exhibition will take place in Washington DC, in the Fall of 2013. The artists selected will share $60,000 in cash awards.

The In/finite Earth program “aims to showcase artwork that illuminates innovative viewpoints the intersection of environmentalism, creativity, and disability. This call for art asks artists to engage in the physical, emotional, and creative ties we share across our planet, and present their artistic perspectives regarding the natural world, sustainability, and our collective future.”

Click here for more info or to apply.

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.

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

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

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

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