Disability Connection

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Blog , News

Introducing “We Connect Now”

Check out this awesome organization!

Letter from the creator of “We Connect Now”

 

we-connect-now-logoI would like to share with you the link to the We Connect Now website. http://weconnectnow.wordpress.com/ The website was created while I was a college student with a grant to create a website to serve college students with disabilities. I developed the website to connect and integrate college students with disabilities as a virtual community with a voice on important issues with particular emphasis on college students and access to higher education and employment. The We Connect Now website has been up and serving college students with disabilities since April of 2008.

I wanted to share the We Connect Now website with you so that you may post it as a resource on your website or otherwise share it with any students that you serve. The website has been used as a resource by institutions of higher learning and has been linked to by colleges and universities and groups serving people with disabilities in all states and at least 10 foreign countries.

I thank you for any and all help that you may give me in promoting this project as a service to all college students with disabilities.

We are also on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Connect-Now-National/136925609714725

 

Sincerely,

Gabriela McCall Delgado

 

Community , News

The Father’s Heart Widows Conference 2014

Logo for Fatherless and Widows

“Fatherless and Widows is a non-profit ministry to help bring community awareness regarding the needs of the fatherless and widows in our community and abroad. We desire to listen to needs and respond with practical help that comes from a place in the heart. Please consider referring fatherless and widows to us so we might be of help to them. Your volunteer efforts &/or financial assistance is appreciated….

The Fatherless and Widows ministry would like to announce its opening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Fatherless and Widows ministry is dedicated to helping and bringing awareness to the needs of the fatherless and widows in our community.

The origins of the ministry are founded on a Bible verse that states “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…” James 1:27. This Bible verse has its own roots digging deep into the pages of scripture showing G-d’s special encouragements and warnings pertaining to the manner in which we treat fatherless and widows.”

Janie O’Keefe, Director of Disability Connection presents at the The Father’s Heart Widows Conference in Pass Christian
Janie O’Keefe, Director of Disability Connection, presenting at The Father’s Heart Widows Conference in Pass Christian.

 

For more information about his awesome organization: http://bit.ly/1nQzW5D

Community , News

2014 Art Ability Fair Success

The 2014 Art Ability Fair was a great success thanks to partners, volunteers, schools, and sponsors, like you.  Over 600 individuals participated including over 425 kids and adults with disabilities from 33 schools in 6 counties. Everyone enjoyed a free day of professional art instruction including: acting, costuming, make-up, photography, sponge painting, sand art, stencils and motif painting, hand-thrown pottery, wheel thrown pottery, and dance.

ACTIVITIES WERE PROVIDED BY THE FOLLOWING:

    • Made a Western Box to take home their Pottery-MS Department of Rehabilitation
    • Decorated a Photo Mat (refrigerator magnet) using western stickers and motifs-Walter Anderson Museum of Art
    • Created Sand Art with George Ohr’s Pottery-Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art
    • Had fun with Sponge Painting– Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
    • Learned Western Line-Dancing-Island School of Performing Arts
    • Selected a Costume for a Photo Session: Cowboy/Cowgirl or Indian Warrior/Indian Maiden
    • Got their Professional Makeup for their photo session                                -Mary C O’Keefe Cultural Center
    • Acted in character while their Photo was made by Professional photographers – Greg Wilson & George Guthrie
    • Participated in a Video Production & Learned about horse safety                   – Horses Giving Hope
    • Created Hand-build Pottery to take home-Studio G
    • Learned about Wheel-thrown Pottery – O’Keefe Studio

      • Participated in

Music (Singing), Instruments & Indian Storytelling

    -Chazmania Productions

 

  • Teachers Corner:
    • Teachers picked up their Art & Photos and left some art for the Art Ability Fair art show
    • Picked up Goodie Bags, one for each student and one for their school

This event is in its fifth year and is founded, organized, and hosted by Disability Connection, a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Corporation. The Art Ability Fair Art Shows will be hosted following the event by Lynn Meadows Discovery Center & the Knight Nonprofit Center. Additional donations were provided by Biloxi & Ocean Springs Walmart, Winn Dixie Orange Grove, ABC Rental, Rouse’s Ocean Springs, Starbucks, Negrotto’s Art Gallery, Kentwood Water, Gulf Coast Produce, Rex Distributing,Art with Heart, and Building Bridges International.

Publicity provided by WLOX, Sun Herald, Clear Channel Radio, Biloxi Bay Press, Ocean Springs Record, and others.

Volunteers assisted from Job Corps, Kohl’s, RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteers), VA Veteran Warriors, & LIFE of MS

This event is free to individuals with developmental disabilities 8years old through adult. To participate or volunteer for the 2015 event contact Disability Connection, 700 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS 39501; www.DisabilityConnection.org; Office@DisabilityConnection.org; 228-604-4020

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS

 

                                        
  Thank you for all that you do in helping us create a connected community!

 

Blog , Community , Events , News

2014 Playground Party Success

Thank You for supporting an Earth Day event in support of our friends in South Mississippi with disabilities. The “I Love My Playground Party” was the opportunity for our community to celebrate the one year anniversary of building the Disability Connection Community Playground in Harrison County. Over 200 individuals participated in the Picnic including about 140 kids and adults with disabilities.

Playground Party Happy faces 2014

This event was made possible by the support of Harrison County Parks & Recreation, Kaboom, and Kohls with help from additional volunteer friends such as the VA Veteran Warriors, Job Corps, Disney, and the MS Department of Rehabilitation. The participants planted bushes, freshened mulch, raked and bagged leaves, and other tasks that beautified their playground. Following the work, everyone had a picnic lunch, enjoyed music and an art project, and, of course, enjoyed playing on the playground.

Your support assists us in ensuring that people with disabilities in South Mississippi have access to social, recreational, and educational opportunities that improve the quality of life for both individuals and families. In addition, DC currently assists with eliminating barriers to employment and home repair for some individuals in need with priority to seniors, veterans, homeless, and people with disabilities.

The Disability Connection staff, volunteers, and friends appreciate your support of our programs. Your support allows us to continue doing important work in our community, and we are proud of our partnership. Other well-attended Disability Connection inclusive events include the Arbor Day 5 K-1 Mile Run/Walk/Roll & ¼ Mile Challenge, the Mayor’s Disability Awareness Health Fair, and the Art Ability Fair. As a Disability Connection Donor you will be helping DC to reaching over 4,500 community members each year.

Thank you for your donation. O’Keefe Educational Media, dba Disability Connection is a 501 c 3 Corporation, and your donations are tax-deductible; no goods or services were received for this donation.

 

Most Sincerely,

Janie O’Keefe

Blog , Community , News

Local PRAM Chapter Supports DC

From the PRAM’s monthly newsletter:

Community Service Project
Disability Connection

“Dear PRAM members,

For our next service project, we will be partnering with Disability Connection who helps seniors and veterans as well as people with disabilities to gain employment. For the months of April, May and June, we will be collecting new or gently worn work attire. Most of their clients are looking for entry level positions, and we can accept any and all sizes and styles. Feel free to donate nice jeans, polos, suits, dresses, ties, scrubs, etc. They will also accept letter or letter-like (imitation) portfolios/folders for their clients who are out interviewing. These portfolio/folders look professional for interviews and some of us have ones we don’t use. Thank you for supporting this service project through your donations. I challenge you to go through you closets now. You can deliver those directly to Disability Connection, located at 700 Pass Rd in Gulfport in the Gulfport School Annex down the hall from maintenance. Call first to (228) 604-4020  to coordinate drop-off or bring these items to the next PRAM meetings. Feel free to visit www.DisabilityConnection.org or email Office@DisabilityConnection.org for more information.”

Thank you,

Jessica Breazeale, Community Service Chair

View The Employment Connection Page

Visit PRAM Mississippi Beach on FB

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

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

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
News , Our Heroes

Hero Teenager Shares His Philosophy

“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.

 

 

“The original video, made by TEDx, is just one of lots of things Sam did in his many efforts to make the world a better place. You can get to know him better through his HBO documentary as well as help find a cure for this disease by checking out Progeria Research Foundation.” – via Upworthy
News

2013 Gift Guides

Just in Time For the Holiday Shopping Season

We always appreciate the incredible resources that are offered by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
This is one of the resources that is particularly useful around this time of year.

Christopher Reeve Foundation Gift Guide

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation holiday gift guide features a “variety of items for the paralysis community in nine categories based on interests, levels of injury, and creativity.” With something for everyone, the sixth annual gift guide features a wide variety of items for the paralysis community. See the list at http://www.ChristopherReeve.org/GiftGuide

ToysRUs Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids

Also, for nearly two decades, ToysRus has published the annual Toys”R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, an extensive but incredibly easy-to-use resource featuring specially selected toys that “encourage play for children with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities.”
We invite you to check these 2 wonderful resources out and to share them with your community.