The Governor's Office of Disability Affairs Newsletter
September/October 2019
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GOLD Awards &
Inclusive Art Contest
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The
GOLD Awards
recognizes extraordinary individuals and organizations who have contributed their time and talents to benefit the lives of persons with disabilities in Louisiana. The
Inclusive Art Contest
enables participants to increase awareness of the importance of inclusion in today's society through artistic expression.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns. We thank you for your continued support and participation!
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month
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In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Governor John Bel Edwards has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Louisiana. Disability Employment Awareness Month was created to educate everyone regarding disability employment issues, to celebrate the contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce, and to bring awareness to employers of the value of maintaining an inclusive workforce.
The Louisiana State Civil Service developed two training modules on Disability Awareness and Disability Etiquette. the training modules are available to all state employees through LEO. Click
here
for a preview of the modules.
Please visit the
calendar
found on the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs for more information.
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Statewide Independent Living Council to Host Series of
Job and Resource Fairs
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The
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
will host a series of Inclusion Job and Resource Fairs in October. October is
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
. The SILC encourages all interested parties to find out more about possible career opportunities and resources available to the community by interfacing with over 40 vendors. The job fairs will take place in various locations throughout the state (see the schedule below) from 10am to 2pm. These job and resource fairs will provide valuable information regarding employment and other important resources for individuals with disabilities.
Oct. 9: Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles
Oct. 10: BREC Ball Room, 6201 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge
Oct. 11: Robicheaux Rec Center, 1919 Eraste Landry Rd, Lafayette
Oct. 16: West Ouachita Sr. Center, 1800 N 7th St, West Monroe
Oct. 17:
Fletcher Tech. Comm. College, 1407 LA-311, Schriever
Oct. 18:
Ree Alario Special Needs Center,
6900 Saints Drive, Metarie
Oct. 23: David Raines Comm. Center, 2920 Round Grove Ln, Shreveport
Oct. 24:
New Orleans East Hospital, 5620 Read Blvd, New Orleans
Oct. 30: Pineville Community Center, 2450 Hwy 28 East, Pineville
Oct. 31: Hammond Recreation Center, 601 W. Coleman Ave., Hammond
Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information or to be a vendor for this event, contact Jessica Lewis at 225-219-7552. This event is sponsored by the Statewide Independent Living Council and Healthy Blue.
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2019 Election Information
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On October 12th and November 16th, Louisiana voters will decide the outcome of several elected positions on both locally and statewide. Voters will decide on various propositions, amendments, and other important laws.
The Secretary of State has provided the following information regarding early voting, and accommodations for individuals with disabilities:
Early Voting
All voters may vote early, just like they are voting on Election Day. Voters who want to vote early for any election may do so in person at their parish
Registrar of Voters Office
or at designated locations in the parish from 14 to seven days prior to any scheduled election. When one or more state holidays fall within an early voting period, the first day for early voting will begin 15 days prior to the election. Refer to the schedule below for early voting time periods for upcoming elections and refer to the
schedule of elections
for future time periods by clicking
here
.
The registrars of voters will open their offices from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for each day of early voting. When you go to cast your vote early, you will be asked to identify yourself with either a photo ID or signature on a voter affidavit. You may use a driver's license, a Louisiana special ID, LA Wallet digital driver's license, or some other generally recognized picture ID that has your name and signature. You may wish to contact your local
Registrar of Voters Office
for specific locations, dates and times.
Accommodations
A visibly disabled voter and the person assisting him or her in voting shall go to the front of the line when voting early at the
Registrar of Voters Office
or at designated locations for early voting.
A voter is entitled to receive assistance while voting if he or she is unable to read or unable to vote without assistance because of a physical disability, including being visually impaired. A voter may choose to use the audio ballot instead of receiving assistance.
A voter must either file a statement with the registrar in person or by mail if they need assistance in voting or provide certain documentation to the registrar or commissioner.
A voter may receive assistance by completing a voter registration application with a change requesting assistance in voting, by providing a physician's certificate certifying to the disability, a copy of a current mobility impaired ID card issued by the Office of Motor Vehicles or a copy of current documentation showing eligibility for disability benefits from either Social Security, Veterans, Para-transit Services, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities or benefits from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.
Persons prohibited from assisting voters are as follows:
- candidate in the election cannot assist a voter;
- employer or employer's agent cannot assist an employee;
- union agent cannot assist a union member; and
- staff for a state residential facility cannot assist residents of their facility in voting.
Additionally, individuals may bring magnifying glasses, and earphones while in the voting booth if needed.
Disability Program
A person who is physically disabled or who cannot appear in person to vote, either early or on Election Day because they are home-bound, is eligible to apply for the Disability Program. Proof of disability is required.
Senior citizens who are 65 years of age or older and who have previously voted in the parish are eligible to apply for the Disability Program.
Louisiana’s automatic absentee by mail ballot process is one of the benefits of the Disability Program, while another is eligibility to receive assistance in voting. For nursing home and veterans home residents, the benefits include voting in person at their nursing or veterans home with the assistance of the registrar of voters or any person of their choosing, except for nursing home owners/operators/administrators or employees.
After applying for the Disability Program and being accepted by the parish board of election supervisors, a voter must apply to vote absentee by mail. The application starts either the automatic absentee by mail ballot process or the nursing or veterans home voting. An absentee by mail ballot will automatically be sent to the voter who is home-bound or is a senior citizen for each election, unless it is returned as undelivered. A voter may opt out of Louisiana’s automatic absentee by mail ballot process by contacting the registrar of voters.
If a voter chooses to vote in person instead of voting their absentee by mail ballot, the automatic absentee by mail ballot process will continue; however, a person may vote only once, either by mail or in person.
To report problems, concerns, or to ask questions please call the Louisiana Secretary of State at 225-922-0900.
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2019 Acadiana Diversity Job Fair
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The Lafayette Economic Development Authority will host the Acadiana Diversity Job Fair on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Heymann Convention Center, 1373 S College Road in Lafayette.
There is no cost for businesses to participate in this year's Diversity Job Fair. For more information please click
here.
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PANS and PANDAS Awareness Day in Louisiana
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Governor John Bel Edwards has declared October 9, 2019 as PANS and PANDAS Awareness day in Louisiana.
Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS) are infection-induced autoimmune conditions that disrupt a patient's normal neurological function, resulting in a sudden onset of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and can include a variety of other symptoms such as anorexia (food restrictions), anxiety, irritability, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.
For more information regarding PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day please click
here
.
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2019-2020 Mini-Grants for Educators and Professionals
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The Autism Society Acadiana offers mini-grants to area educators and professionals to provide supplemental funding to schools using innovative and creative methods for teaching children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Educators and professionals that work with at least one student with autism can apply for mini-grants of up to $500.
Completed applications must be emailed or postmarked by 11:59 pm Wed., Oct. 23. Grants will be awarded Nov. 5 at the Lafayette Parish Support Group Meeting. Please click
here
to download an application.
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2019 Click Or Treat Conference
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Join the Louisiana Special School District for a day of Halloween fun and learning! The 2019 Click or Treat Conference will take place on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 2888 Brightside Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70820.
The conference will host a full day of presentations on assistive technologies that support curriculum accessibility for a variety of diverse learners, including those who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing and those who are blind or visually impaired.
The day is divided into a morning check-in and FOUR sessions:
● Check-in: 7:30-8:30
● 1st Session: 8:30-10:00
● 2nd Session: 10:10-11:40
● 3rd Session: 12:50-2:20
● 4th Session: 2:30-4:00.
Participants must register for the Conference via EventBrite. Registration will close either when the event sells out, or on October 18th, whichever comes first. Registration will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited. Each attendee must register him or herself; it is not possible to register groups, teams, or school systems all at once. To register please click
here
.
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NADD to host 36th Annual Conference in New Orleans
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The NADD will host its 36th annual conference in New Orleans on October 23-25th 2019.
The theme of this year's conference is "Parading Through Life: Celebrating Resilience, Joy and Wellness...Letting the Good Times Roll in New Orleans".
The NADD is an association for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs, established for professionals, care providers, family advocates and policy makers. NADD provides leadership in the expansion of knowledge, training policy and advocacy for mental health practices that promote a quality of life for individuals with IDD/MII.
For more information regarding the conference or to register, please click
here
.
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Gabriel Jason Michot, most affectionately known as "Gabe," passed away on September 19, 2019 at Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Gabe was born on September 7, 2012 to his loving parents Mark Anthony and Jessica Rutherford Michot.
Gabe's positive energy and courageous spirit touched the hearts and lives of many. He regularly accompanied his mother to the state capitol to advocate for services for people with disabilities. His legacy will live on through
Trach Mommas of Louisiana
, a non-profit organization co-founded by Gabe's mother to provide peer support, resources, education, training, information and advocacy to parents, caregivers, and individuals with a tracheostomy. Trach Mommas of Louisiana was the 2017 recipient of the Governor's Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities(GOLD) Volunteer of the Year Award for their work to assist families with disabilities before, during and after disasters. This work was sparked during the floods of 2016 when his family home was surrounded by water and in great risk of losing all access to power to operate the machines Gabe needed to live.
Gabe is survived by his loving parents; sister, Mia Michot; and maternal grandparents. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Michael Anthony Michot. Gabe was laid to rest on September 23, 2019 in Denham Springs.
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