Disability Connection

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How a Family Car Wash Has Changed the Lives of People With Autism

Like many people with autism, Andrew D’Eri had a hard time finding a job.

Then, his father, a veteran entrepreneur, and older brother, who had recently finished business school, had an idea: What if they opened business employed mostly by people with autism?

“We wanted to build … an example big and bold and out there that other companies could go ahead and want to emulate,” Andrew’s brother Tom D’Eri, 25, told ABC News, adding that they wanted to find a business that would educate the community by putting autistic employees in front of the customers.

They opened the Rising Tide Car Wash in Parkland, Florida, in 2013, and today they employ 35 autistic men and women!

2015-Gardening from a chair is practical & enjoyable!

Want to make your life a little greener? Start with a garden.  The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation have great adaptive gardening tips for people living with paralysis featured in the Reeve Health Minute series.

For most people, a few simple adaptive practices can make gardening from a chair practical, easy, and highly enjoyable.

Take a look at our gardening videos and see if this is the activity for you.

You’ll get to spend time outside, connect with others, and make sure your meals are full of delicious, healthy fruits and vegetables.

Wendy Crawford, founder of mobileWOMEN.org and the Raw Beauty Project, shares her special adaptive gardening tips in each episode. Running only a few minutes long, each video is packed with great information. Now it’s up to you!

View one video or the whole series:

The gardening series is part of our popular Reeve Health Minute videos. Thousands of people around the world have accessed these videos to learn more about adaptive practices from swimming, to cooking, and improving your mind.

Each episode is full of actionable tips for individuals living with paralysis to improve their health and wellness.

Enjoy the warmer weather and go spend some time outside in the sun.

Happy gardening!

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation ChristopherReeve.org

2014 Operation Prop “Let’s Go Flying!”

Via the “Operation Prop” Website

Come out and Join Operation Prop!

Saturday, May 17, 2014
10 AM – 2 PM

Stennis International Airport, 7250 Stennis Airport Drive, Kiln, MS  39556

3115e92c41088e778da752f411b86179_u4jx_fr1u
Via: Operation Prop
OperationProp.com

 

MISSION

To empower people with disabilities and Wounded Warriors to achieve outrageous potential.

 

VISION

To improve the lives of people with disabilities and Wounded Warriors by eliminating both real and perceived barriers that prevent them from achieving goals and living lives to the fullest.

 

CORE VALUES (RISK)

R – Respect for the dignity and potential of people.

I – Innovation in thinking and doing.

S – Service to others.

K- Kindness in all things.

 


 

 

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
“Let’s Go Flying!”

Flying in an airplane can be life-changing and bring new adventures.  It builds confidence and instills self-esteem to take on the challenges living with special needs can bring.  Flying high above the ground puts things in a new perspective for many and opens new horizons that were not seen before.

Operation PROP is a gathering of pilots with a special purpose – to offer people of all ages with disabilities the opportunity to break the bonds of earth and experience the joy of flight.

PROP stands for People Reaching Outrageous Potential, and that is exactly what happens at a “Let’s Go Flying” event!

2014 Annual GCDSS Easter Egg Hunt

cute girl with DSCome join GCDSS at their annual Easter Egg Hunt!  Located at the Biloxi VFW on 288 Veterans Ave.  Enjoy taking pictures with the Easter Bunny, super lunch, special drinks, and a fantastic egg hunt! For more information call (228)-547-9104.

Download this year’s flier

                                        ↓

2014 GCDSS Easter Egg Flier

2014 Biloxi Challenger Baseball

Challenger Baseball Logo

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

Challenger Baseball Flyer 2014

Ability Links Logo

2014 Virtual Job Fair: March 25 – 27

via VirtualLinks.org

How to Sign Up for Virtual Job Fair

AbilityLinks.org VIRTUAL JOB FAIR

TUESDAY, MARCH 25 to THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Ability Icons

JOB SEEKERS

  1. POST/UPDATE YOUR RESUME. (If new to AbilityLinks, you will also need to create an account.)
  2. CLICK LINK TO SUBMIT SIGN UP FORM

 

EMPLOYERS

  1. POST A CURRENT JOB(s). (If new to AbilityLinks, you will also need to create an account.)
    CLICK LINK TO SUBMIT SIGN UP FORM.
    Tips: Your job posting(s) must be current.
    If you add jobs after submitting the sign up form, resubmit the form to include the new jobs.
    Before the job fair you will receive live chat information.


Have a question or need assistance?

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

Child Plays Baseball

2014 Buddy Ball Registration

Buddy Ball

Everyone has the Ability to Play

A Division of Babe Ruth Baseball Inc.
Long Beach Youth Baseball (LBYB)

Child Plays BaseballBuddy 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.

 

Buddy Ball Volunteers/Players

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