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!

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-Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, “The Big Idea”

 

The Big Idea
The Big Idea

 

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation launched a campaign that will redefine what it means to live with SCI. This initiative, called The Big Idea, will support the next phase epidural stimulation research and recruit 36 new candidates to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention in restoring autonomic functions, movement below the injury level, as well as the ability to stand. Please click the link for more information:   www.reevebigidea.org

 

 

 

 

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