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Newsletter - Volume #9 September 2016
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As a society in transition, we should always question long-held assumptions of our beliefs, and continually question "Why?"
In 1962, John F. Kennedy said, "The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived, and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the clichés of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."
To move forward is to acknowledge the uncomfortable and work together to provide truth for our children.
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DIG in the News
This month, there are thousands of articles about what DIG is doing, and how we are helping our clients. Over 300 media outlets have written articles about Arnaldo Rios, the horrible shooting in North Miami, and the attempts to find housing for Mr. Rios. To keep up to date, please friend Disability Independence Group on Facebook, or
follow DIG at @justdigit or Matthew Dietz @dislaw.
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Out and About with DIG
| 10-5-16 |
2016 Florida Institute on Homelessness and Supportive Housing
, Orlando, FL
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10-20-16
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2016 DRBA West Coast Conference, Los Angeles, CA
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| 12-7-16 |
Coral Gables Advisory Board on Disability Affairs In-house Training, Coral Gables, FL |
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Pictures
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| Debbie and the City of Miami Police and Fire Departments training on The Wallet Card Project at the Sandra DeLucca Developmental Center. |
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Sharon training in Orlando on Guardianship.
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| Matthew and Keenya training in Tallahassee |
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Litigation:
Can a Woman with No Arms Ride a Roller Coaster?
By:
Matthew Dietz
Many people have a gut response to this question. Jessica Cox filed an administrative complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations claiming that she was excluded from every single ride at Universal Studios Orlando because she was born without arms, and she was not able to continually grasp the restraints with at least one hand. Jessica believed that the restrictions on all of the rides were not based on actual risks, but instead, based upon stereotypes of what she can or cannot do.
Jessica is a classic overachiever in every sense of the word, and in relation to
any person, able bodied or disabled. She is the first armless person in aviation history to earn a pilot's certificate, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a psychology degree from the University of Arizona, and motivational speaker. She also does everything that "typical normates" can do, other than, according to her doctor, brush her hair. She is the unstoppable force, and does not take "can't" or "no" as an answer. (
https://www.jessicacox.com/ )
Click here to read more
Jessica Cox was featured in the Channel 4 Paralympics "We're the Superhumans" trailer that has almost seven million views on Youtube
https://youtu.be/IocLkk3aYlk . The premise of the video was "Yes I can". The premise of the Americans with Disabilities Act is that society must tear down barriers that are solely due to prejudice and antiquated attitudes.
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Kids Crusaders Corner
Julie is taking a break and will be back in a few months. If anyone would like to be a guest author please contact us at debbie@justdigit.org.
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The ABC's of Assistance Animals
Thank you to everyone that helped make this seminar possible in Tallahassee, Florida. The Florida Commission on Human Relations for hosting the training, The Animal Law Section of the FL Bar and PAL (Pets Ad Litem) for sponsoring the coffee and treats, The Tallahassee Memorial Animal Therapy and Stephanie Perkins for bringing therapy dogs to the training, Legal Services of North Florida and the Tallahassee Bar Association for promoting and co-sponsoring the event, The Florida Bar for attending and tweeting about the training, and Max for registering and greeting everyone.
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Greg Morton and Ralph DeMeo.
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Jacquelyn C. Steele from FCHR.
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Follow us on Instagram
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Shake Shack Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone that attended our event. We had so much fun hanging out eating burgers and fries and drinking milk shakes.
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Debbie and Lisa with Susan and Jessica.
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Matt with Andrew and his family
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At The Intersection of Disability and Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
People sometimes make assumptions about persons with disabilities. They may assume that someone diagnosed with cerebral palsy and a wheelchair user also has a cognitive disability. Many assume that a youth with a disability doesn't have feelings and thoughts about sexuality. Because of these types of assumptions many teens are left out of the sexual education that other youth receive. There is no reason that youth with disabilities do not receive this very important education and it is time that we insist upon it for all our youth not only those that are able bodied or neurotypical.
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The Wallet Card Project
The wallet card is a tool for young adults to use when they come into contact with law enforcement; either as a victim, a witness, or as a potential suspect.
The wallet card will help to clarify any interaction with law enforcement so that the behavior of the person with a disability is not misinterpreted as suspicious or as criminal behavior.
Click here to sign up for a wallet card
The Wallet Card Project is a collaboration with DIG, CGPD, and UM-NSU CARD.
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How a PASS plan can help you
By: Lesly Lopez
A PASS allows you to set aside other income besides your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or resources for a specified period of time so that you may pursue a work goal that will reduce or eliminate the SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits you currently receive.
Who can have a PASS?
If you receive SSI or could qualify for SSI after setting aside income or resources so that you may pursue a work goal, you could benefit from a PASS.
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Your Upward Journey
In a nutshell, Your Upward Journey: It Is Easier Than You Think!, is a three-part project (book, self-help seminars and merchandise sale). I intend to promote the book through self-help seminars and sale of merchandise, such as mugs, journals etc.
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A Parcel of Penguins
A PARCEL OF PENGUINS: an Animal Counting Book
IS A CHILDREN'S BOOK THAT TEACHES UNUSUAL NAMES OF GROUPS OF ANIMALS. THE BOOK IS ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE FOR ALL AGES!
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For more information about DIG and to find out how you can be involved, please call or email our executive director, Debbie Dietz at
305-669-2822 or
debbie@justdigit.org.
Disability Independence Group, Inc.
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Thank you to the organizations that support our projects.
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