Disability Connection

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33rd Annual Arbor Day 5K-1 Mile-1/4 Mile Run Walk Roll

 33rd ARBOR DAY 5K-1 MILE-1/4 MILE RUN/WALK/ROLL, Town Green, Biloxi

Please join us for a fun event to encourage healthy lifestyles and disability awareness.

    Option 1

Event at Biloxi Town Green: Saturday, Feb 20, 2021 Join this fun event promoting healthy lifestyles to individuals of all ages with and without disabilities. This event has 2 goals to encourage a healthy lifestyle and to encourage people with disabilities to be active community participants by joining the fun of a run.

All Registration for Individuals is through the Gulf Coast Running Club. You can register for the Run/Walk/Roll at the event or pay a discount by Pre-Registering, postmarked by February 12, 2021. To pre-register, go to www.GulfCoastRunningClub.org, click on the Arbor Day Run. Print the registration form, and mail it to the address on the form. On-line registration is optional at www.RaceRoster.com. Runners receive a T-shirt. Runners with challenges receive a Medal. Volunteers/Caregivers do not need to pay registration fee to accompany a walker, but can register to receive a t-shirt.

This event is in partnership with 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.

Saturday Schedule (Run with Gulf Coast Running Club, Town Green):

  • 8:00-9:30        Registration and Sign-in for those Pre-Registered          
  • 9:00                 5K Race Start
  • 9:45                 1 Mile and ¼ Mile Ability Challenge Start

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OPTION 2

Event at School or Optional Walking Track: group scheduled

Due to the current pandemic, DC is offering a second option to participate in the 2021 Arbor Day Run/Walk/Roll. Individuals and/or groups can register through DC, pay $10 per individual, and walk/run/roll a minimum of ¼ mile at the time and location of their convenience. Staff can verify the list of those completing the walk to receive t-shirts and medallions for the participants.

 Call the office for Sponsorship and Team information.

Disability Connection, 700 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS, 39501; 228.604.4020; Fax 228.284.4419

Ocean Springs City Hall Office: 228.870.7775

Office@DisabilityConnection.org

2014-Ocean Springs announces a Disability Connection office in City Hall

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) –

DC logo For Upload_Download_4PiecesThe city of Ocean Springs will pay the owners of Psycamore nearly half a million dollars as part of a settlement with the psychiatric counseling clinic.  The 437,500 settlement covers Psycamore’s damages and costs associated with the case. The city will also provide additional training for a current employee to serve as the city’s ADA Compliance Officer. That person will, most likely, be a senior official in the Building Department. City elected officials, selected staff and members of the Planning Commission will also undergo several hours of training on the city’s obligations under the ADA, according to a plan approved by United States Department of Justice.  Ocean Springs city leaders have partnered with Disability Connection, a Gulf Coast advocacy organization for people with mental and physical disabilities, to provide office space in the Mayor’s Office for an outreach resource manager to counsel citizens in Jackson County when they have complaints or are in need of services.  Phone # (228) 870-7775.  Please click link below for full story:

http://www.wlox.com/story/27480991/ocean-springs-settles-with-psycamore-owners

 

2014 Buddy Walk- National Down Syndrome Society

Buddy Walk 2014
Buddy Walk 2014

Disability Connection loves an all inclusive event!  October 18th, The Buddy Walk®, held by the Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society,  is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is a wonderful, heart-warming event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Whether you have Down Syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join them for their Buddy Walk®!

Click link below for more details!

http://www.gcdss.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hero Ex-SVP : “Walgreens has “dream goal”, …10% disabled workforce within five years”

ex-Walgreens SVP Randy Lewis
Picture and Quotes via “www.hrmagazine.co.uk”

A Truly Uplifting Story

Randy Lewis has an incredible story to tell. “It’s the tale of how a man who led logistics at America’s largest drug-store chain, supporting it as it grew from 1,600 to 8,000 outlets with the most advanced logistics network in its sector, did so while giving job opportunities to thousands of disabled people.”

 

Randy is an advocate. He understands the benefits that inclusive organizations experience. Think ability, not disability.

This is another quote from the article. It really shows how perseverance and teamwork are so important to the success of any strategy:

Walgreens had previously employed disabled people to do “ancillary rather than mission-critical work”, cleaning for example, but Lewis wanted to do something more. “We wanted an opportunity to bring people in as our own employees,” he recalls. That opportunity came with the building of a new distribution centre; larger and more automated than any the company had owned before.”

The full article goes in to depth regarding Randy’s personal inspirations and current advocacy work.

I encourage our followers to read the full article 

 

Introducing “The Ability Club”

There are a plethora of online job-search sites available today.

Now there is a job-search site specifically for people with disabilities.

“Online applications are so complicated that they form a barrier to the job market for people with developmental disabilities.  When I saw that the McDonald’s application included psychological testing, I knew there was a problem,” says Wade Ogletree, IDD Director, Jackson County.

“Ability.Club is a system “where employers can post jobs for free and prospective employees and their service providers can search for free.”

 

Ability.Club Website Screenshot

 

This is an excellent new resource for the disability community.

MS Megaconference logo 2014

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