Sensory Friends

02/21/2025

Internship and employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities - check it out!

02/18/2025

Does your business have inclusive practices? Is it disability friendly?

1 in 4 adults has a disability. This means at your next meeting with 20 people, 5 of them have a disability. Do you have a culture of inclusion? Do people feel safe to talk about their disability and what they need to be effective?

02/16/2025

Shared by our friends at Global Disability Inclusion, LLC - please visit https://dredf.org/protect-504/ to find out how to reach out to your State Attorney's office and explain why this cannot happen.

ALERT! Disability Rights are at risk, and we MUST act now. 17 states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia) are suing the US government to overturn 504.

Section 504 provides access and non-discrimination for people with disabilities.
♿ Schools must include students with disabilities and help them learn.
♿ Doctors & schools must have sign language interpreters for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing who sign. Videos must have captions.
♿ Doctors must give clear information to disabled people. - including people with intellectual disabilities.
♿ Accommodations in the workplace.
♿ Websites must work for people who are blind and low vision.
♿ Doctors/hospitals cannot stop helping someone because they have a disability.
♿ Doctors and hospitals must have tools and machines that work for wheelchair users. This includes machines that check for cancer.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL IN YOUR STATE (ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN ONE OF THE 17 STATES) AND ASK THEM TO DROP THE CASE AGAINST 504. Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) |

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ID: A bold red and white image that reads Action Required Disability Rights are at risk. Contact your attorney general.

02/16/2025

“Black History Month Reminds us We Are All Promised Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Black History Month reminds me of how the civil rights movement paved the way for all movements.

Sincerely, Christine SensoryFriends

02/15/2025

Happy Valentine's Day!

02/14/2025

Stay informed on changes...

02/14/2025

Webinar on Managed Care.

You asked, and we listened! We are proud to offer a series of webinars for parents, caregivers, and self-advocates. Centered around the lunch time hour, these will focus on topics you need to know in order to achieve the best for your loved one. Register for one, two, or all. Wednesday, February 19...

02/13/2025

Interesting stats.

02/13/2025

Free webinar on earning more without losing benefits!

Self-advocates,
This is an opportunity to learn how you can earn more without losing your benefits. This webinar is hosted by the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities - FCIC on March 4 from 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM. The FL SAND Fellows will present.

02/12/2025

A great goal for any day of the week!

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From Slow Simple Seasonal

02/07/2025

It's so important to stay informed and aware of change, updates in legislation and local happenings.

Workshop about know your rights as an immigrant. Presentation in ASL

02/07/2025

Please support Autism Society of Florida and their relentless legislative efforts in keeping Autism and disability issues on Congress' radar. Thank you guys so much! You are truly appreciated!

🌟 We know that we have a long way to go, but we are thrilled to see this very important package created by the Florida Senate. It has been our honor to work w Senate President Ben Albritton and his team as we advocate for earlier and easier identification and intervention!
Bringing to the forefront of policy discussion is something that benefits us all.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/02/05/senate-releases-sweeping-autism-proposal/

02/05/2025

Bullying prevention is a nationwide problem and it's everyone's issue!

Join us for an informative 3-part workshop series to help parents, caregivers, and schools with the knowledge and tools to address bullying and create safer environments for our youth. Each session will provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and a supportive space for discussion.

February 12:
Is Your Child the Target of Bullying?

February 19:
Understanding the Dynamics of Cyberbullying Technology and Our Youth

February 26:
Creating a World Without Bullying - Facilitated Discussion

Learn more and REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/3VNJplO

Presented by PEATC in partnership with Williamsburg James City County Public Schools

02/02/2025

To presume competence simply means we don't automatically assume that people with intellectual disabilities or who are nonspeaking cannot think, learn, or retain information. I still hear people state that grown men and women (in their 20's) with disabilities should only be taught preschool material and it's so sad.

Presuming competence does not mean all nonspeakers are secretly geniuses. It means that we treat everyone with dignity and as human—specifically people "who really do have intellectual disabilities, who really can’t read or use full sentences and who really do need extensive support."

Drawn from Julia Bascom's crucial essay Dangerous Assumptions, at TPGA:
https://thinkingautismguide.com/2019/06/dangerous-assumptions.html -SR

[image: Square Canva graphic with a white background.

Block text in alternating lines of black and red reads, "Presuming competence does not mean all nonspeakers are secretly geniuses. It means that we treat everyone as human—and specifically people with intellectual disability."

Smaller text underneath reads, "tinyurl.com/DangerousAssumptions" and ""]

02/02/2025

It's been a long time, but thank God good change is occurring.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has implemented new protections for individuals with disabilities in commercial air travel. These measures are designed to ensure passengers with disabilities can fly safely and with dignity.

01/28/2025

We love Jennifer Hudson - She is an incredible singer, accomplished actress, and author. She founded the "Julian D. King Foundation" following the tragic loss of her nephew, mother, and brother to domestic violence. Her foundation assists underserved communities with support, education, and promoting healthy family relationships. She supports many other philanthropic initiatives, such as civil rights and cancer research, to name a few.

Jennifer Hudson: The youngest African-American in history to win an Oscar. And the youngest woman in history to complete the EGOT.In addition to the Emmy, two Grammys, Oscar and the Tony, she also has a BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG Award, Critics Choice Award, 2 BET Awards, 9 NAACP Image Awards, a New York Times Bestselling Book, a Nationally Syndicated Talk Show, a Madame Tussaud’s Wax Figure, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame…and that doesn’t even scratch the surface.

01/28/2025

Families of children and adults with disabilities need to be considered and included for worship and faith-based activities. Does your church serve the disability community? Please highlight and praise it in the comments!