They say, give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime. That’s the idea behind Fifth Freedom. Fifth Freedom gives people with disabilities the tools to organize themselves and tackle common problems. Maybe some buildings aren’t physically accessible. Or local public transportation needs to be improved. Or perhaps, legislators need to hear what 20% of their constituents think about how they spend their tax money. Whatever the case, we are here to empower people with disabilities to remove the barriers that thwart their potential. So if you’re the self-reliant type, contact us. We’re assembling a cast of thousands statewide who are willing to invest a little time to make a big difference.
» Read more about: Fifth Freedom – Empowering People With Disabilities To Make Positive Change »
Information courtesy of Gigi’s Playhouse Indianapolis
GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis is hosting the annual “I Have A Voice Gala” on February 23 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Festivities will include a sit-down dinner, silent auction, live entertainment, and more! Most importantly, the gala is an opportunity to celebrate achievements and continue to change the way people view Down Syndrome!
» Read more about: I Have A Voice Gala for Gigi’s Playhouse Indianapolis »
Information courtesy of the Great Lakes ADA Center and the ADA National Network
On February 19, tune in to an informative audio conference to learn about the obligations businesses have to remove barriers when operating from existing buildings. The audio conference will also cover the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for “readily achievable barrier removal” and how it applies to a place of public accommodation. The session will be captioned via the web based webinar platform.
» Read more about: The ADA, Businesses and Barrier Removal – Audio conference February 19 »
Information courtesy of the Indiana ABLE Authority and the Treasurer of State’s Office
The Indiana ABLE Authority and the Treasurer of State’s Office are working to improve Indiana’s 529A ABLE accounts by the addition of a tax credit. They are requesting your support of Senate Bill 559 and House Bill 1350. This legislation would give Indiana ABLE accounts the same tax incentives currently offered by the CollegeChoice 529 programs. ABLE accounts, also known as 529A accounts, allow individuals with disabilities to save for their future and pay for disability related expenses, without affecting their eligibility for certain means-tested benefits. If this bill passes, contributors to ABLE accounts would be eligible to receive a 20% Indiana state tax credit worth up to $1,000 annually.
» Read more about: Indiana ABLE Account Tax Credit – Sign on to support the bill before February 28 »
Information courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new Milestone Tracker app. You can track your child’s developmental milestones from two months to five years. From birth to age 5, children typically reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move. Photos and videos in this app illustrate each milestone and make tracking them for your child easy and fun! Milestone Tracker is free, easy to use, and includes features like:
» Read more about: Track your child’s developmental milestones with app from CDC »
Information courtesy of First Presbyterian Church, Loop Fort Wayne, HearCare Audiology, Fox Valley Hearing Loop, and HearingLoop.org
Fifth Freedom staff attended a hearing loop demonstration and information night at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne. The church’s seniors and other members with hearing impairments came out to experience this new feature that had been added to their sanctuary. What they found was a simple device that would transform the way they experience services.
» Read more about: Are You In The Loop? How hearing loops can make churches, theaters, and other gathering places more accessible »
