VELSERBROEK, Netherlands (PRWEB)
July 05, 2022

Born with a congenital muscle and joint disorder, author Hanneke Boot has spent large portions of her life in and out of surgeries, physical therapy, and doctor’s offices. Over time, she began to document her life in the form of journal entries and blogs. Boot compiled these stories into her new book “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”.

Beginning in January 2015 and running through June 2018, Boot documents her feelings, thoughts, and activities in a diary format, which she shares in “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. She narrates how being born with a physical disability guarantees obstacles in life, but explains how those obstacles become challenges, and they can be overcome through humor and by nurturing talents and passions.

For Boot, one of her great passions is painting. At 18 she found that painting with her mouth was easier than painting with her hands. She continued following her passion and is now a member of the International Association of Mouth and Foot Painters.

“I was born with a muscle disease, but that doesn’t mean life is hard.” Boot explained “I’m an adventurer. I’ve slept in the desert of Morocco, and I’ve gone diving in the Red Sea of Egypt. I hope my book encourages readers to never give up, and to pursue their talents.”

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: From Disability to Possibility”

By Hanneke Boot

ISBN: 9781728398808 (softcover); 9781728398792(electronic)

Available at AuthorHouse, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Hanneke Boot was born in 1962 with a congenital muscle and joint disorder that has required several surgeries. She studied social sciences in university. Boot is a writer and talented artist who publishes art cards, diaries, calendars, and reproductions via publishing houses. For more information, visit http://www.hannekeboot.nl.

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General Inquiries:            

LAVIDGE – Phoenix                        

Ashley Fletcher

afletcher@lavidge.com

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Strategic America is only marketing agency in the Midwest to receive Workplace Enlightenment Certification from the 4A’s.

“We are committed to becoming the workplace of choice for our team members and this is an important part of our journey,” said Strategic America President & CEO John Schreurs.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (PRWEB)
June 08, 2022

Strategic America (SA), an integrated marketing agency with headquarters in West Des Moines, Iowa, has earned the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) Workplace Enlightenment Certification®. SA is one of 14 agencies nationwide—and the only one in the Midwest—to earn this distinction.

Receipt of this certification signifies an organization is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Earning this distinction is a result of SA’s agency-wide participation in digital learning sessions related to race/ethnicity, gender, LGBTQI+A, age, disabilities, and faith.

“Earning this Workplace Enlightenment Certification is a proud moment for SA and a great step forward for a vital future. We are committed to becoming the workplace of choice for our team members and this is an important part of our journey,” said Strategic America President & CEO John Schreurs. “Diversity makes us stronger as a company committed to the highest standards of equity and inclusion.”

“This achievement took a great deal of commitment from each member of the agency, including agency leadership,” said Natasha Bowman, president and founder of Performance Renew and trainer for the 4A’s Workplace Enlightenment Certification Program. Strategic America is one of the first agencies to achieve this designation.”

As part of the certification process, team members completed the 4A’s Diversity Survey before and after implementing the action plan and participating in the educational sessions. Earning this certification helps participating agencies build a culture to support a range of needs, from building a diverse talent pool to ensuring equitable practices.

“Completing the Workplace Enlightenment Certification is a wonderful accomplishment by our team members, and one of many DE&I initiatives at SA. We also celebrate diverse voices in our work, encourage participation in our many Employee Resource Groups, focus on recruiting diverse team members and collaborate with diverse organizations,” said Jill LaBarre, director of Human Resources. “While we’re proud of earning this distinction, there is much more we want to accomplish.”

The American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) is a U.S. trade association for advertising agencies, founded in 1917. It serves more than 700+ member agencies across 1,300 offices, which control more than 85 percent of total U.S. advertising spend.

To learn more about the 4A’s Workplace Enlightenment Certification, visit their website.

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About Strategic America

Strategic America (SA) is an employee-owned, integrated marketing firm specializing in multi-location marketing, brand building and customer engagement. Based in West Des Moines, Iowa, and representing a diverse set of clients that span multiple industries and geographies, Strategic America builds brands by using strategy and insights to power engagement and results. SA has earned the 4A’s Workplace Enlightenment certification and is ranked in the top ten percent of all independent agencies nationwide. SA is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and Association of National Advertisers (ANA). Learn more at http://www.strategicamerica.com.

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We are grateful to Governor Polis and the Colorado legislature for continuing to prioritize our neighbors who need some extra help in planning for their futures. Angela Baier

DENVER (PRWEB)
May 31, 2022

Colorado ABLE announced today that the Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Accounts bill was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis, creating a more inclusive and equitable path to financial security for Coloradoans who experience disabilities. The new law implements significant improvements in three key areas impacting access and ease of use, security of savings, and additional tax benefits for Coloradoans to create sustainable financial independence through long-term savings.

Under the new law which goes into effect January 1, 2023, the State may no longer file certain claims against an ABLE account upon the death of the designated beneficiary. Known as the Medicaid clawback, the previous practice allowed for the capture of funds to reimburse certain Medicaid expenses, and ultimately discouraged participation by placing private savings at risk.

The new law also enhances the tax benefits for Colorado ABLE savings accounts, providing a dollar-for-dollar State tax deduction for contributions made into a Colorado ABLE account.

And, to broaden access and ease of use, a person other than the individual with a disability can now open and administer an ABLE account on behalf of a person with disabilities.

Colorado’s college savings experts, CollegeInvest, administers the Colorado ABLE program.

“Since we launched Colorado ABLE in 2017, we have applied our savings and investment knowledge of 529 savings plans to empower Coloradoans with disabilities to move toward financial independence,” said Angela Baier, chief executive officer for CollegeInvest. “We are grateful to Governor Polis and the Colorado legislature for continuing to prioritize our neighbors who need some extra help in planning for their futures.”

The bill was sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Colin Larson and Senators Rachel Zenzinger and Robert Woodward.

The Colorado ABLE plan offers a wide range of investment options from aggressive plans seeking higher returns to conservative investments that place capital preservation over growth, all managed by Ascensus. A partnership with Fifth Third Bank also offers an integrated checking and debit account option providing the convenience of paying for qualified expenses with a debit card. For detailed information about the program, please visit http://www.coloradoable.org.

About Colorado ABLE

Colorado ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) is Colorado’s savings program for people living with disabilities. A not-for-profit agency within the Colorado Department of High Education that receives no taxpayer funding, Colorado ABLE provides a diverse menu of tax-advantaged savings plans to help persons with disabilities save for their futures and promote independence, while protecting their eligibility for public assistance programs. Earnings on Colorado ABLE savings accounts are federally tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses. For more information about Colorado ABLE call (888) 609-3468, or visit http://www.coloradoable.org.

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EarthKind

“Amber has always believed that anything was possible. That’s something her wonderful supportive family has instilled in her. Now, in an amazing achievement, she will compete in the Olympics. I am so incredibly proud of this wonderful young woman,” said Kari Warberg Block.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (PRWEB)
May 25, 2022

EarthKind®, the nation’s leading plant-based pest prevention company is proud to announce that Amber Hampton will compete at the United States Special Olympic Games in Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, on June 5-12.

Leading with kindness has always been the purpose of EarthKind®, and with that in mind, Kari Warberg Block, CEO/Founder of EarthKind®, knew that she had to build a brand based on inclusion. Seeing numbers in the millions, of people with disabilities who were unemployed, Kari understood that she had to make a change when starting her company—believing that all companies should take the lead to protect the health of humans, animals, and the environment, finding opportunities that did not traditionally exist before.

By partnering with LIFESPAN, an organization that assists in the employment of the disabled and older adults, Kari created a program where “Handy-capable individuals” staff 20 percent of Earth Kind’s factory workforce, creating employment opportunities and helping them to fulfill long-term jobs that maximize their unique talents and skills by nurturing their dedication and commitment.

Amber is one such person who has benefited from this program. She has been on a journey to accomplish as many goals as possible, including living a fully independent life. Having a secure job where she makes her own money and can pay her bills was one of her major life goals. In the seven years that Amber has worked at EarthKind, she has flourished. “Amber has always believed that anything was possible. That’s something her wonderful supportive family has instilled in her. Now, in an amazing achievement, she will compete in the Olympics. I am so incredibly proud of this wonderful young woman,” said Kari Warberg Block, “everyone at EarthKind is cheering for her, and she knows she has the full support of the whole company behind her.”

Entered in several swimming events, including: the 50-meter Backstroke; 50-meter Butterfly; 50 and 100-meter freestyle; and the 125-meter Swimming relay; Amber is setting her sights on gold, just like her idol Michael Phelps.

Kari and EarthKind will always support the passions of its employees. They will be sending her off in style, celebrating her accomplishments and looking forward to her wins, while remembering the motto of the Special Olympics that Amber loves to be a part of “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Media interested in knowing more about Amber and her story, please contact Janelle Dunbar at janelle@adinnyc.com or 516-242-7677.

About EarthKind®:

EarthKind® is the leading pest prevention brand with a mission to reduce toxic pesticide use in homes and businesses by offing a Naturally Smarter® way to keep pests out without having to kill or poison them. EarthKind’s® 100% guaranteed, top-rated, solutions are produced using ingredients primarily grown on US farms, made by handicapable citizens who care, and formulated to protect your stored valuables without harm to natures delicate ecosystems, or your family’s health. EarthKind® is a is a woman owned, Carbon Neutral company.

FB: @EarthKindLiving https://www.facebook.com/earthkindliving

IG: @EarthKind.Living https://www.instagram.com/earthkind.living/

Twitter: @EarthKindLiving https://twitter.com/EarthKindLiving

Pinterest: @EarthKindLiving https://www.pinterest.com/EarthKindLiving/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EarthKindLiving

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Operation Dry Water – National Safe Boating Week

National Safe Boating Week is a perfect time to remind people about the dangers of boating while intoxicated. We are really excited to have NASBLA partnering with MADD to help further the message that impaired boating is just as dangerous as impaired driving.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (PRWEB)
May 19, 2022

Impaired boating continues to be a leading known contributing factor in fatal recreational boating incidents.* Operation Dry Water (ODW) is proud to join boating safety advocates nationwide during National Safe Boating Week, May 21 – 27, 2022, to remind boat operators and passengers of the dangers associated with boating under the influence (BUI). As part of the upcoming holiday weekend, boaters from across the country will head to the water while honoring, celebrating and remembering all those who lost their lives serving our country.

As part of National Safe Boating Week, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) will be representing the Operation Dry Water campaign at the kickoff event for the first-ever Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) boating under the influence prevention campaign, “BUI = DUI, Know Before You Boat.” The campaign launch will take place on May 26, 2022, with a press conference at the Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri, led by MADD National President Alex Otte, who was nearly killed by a drunk boater on July 2, 2010, when she was 13 years old. MADD will host a press conference where victims of impaired boating crashes, area law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, NASBLA and other guests will help reinforce the importance of protecting the boating public from impaired boating.

“National Safe Boating Week is a perfect time to remind people about the dangers of boating while intoxicated. We are really excited to have NASBLA partnering with MADD to help further the message that impaired boating is just as dangerous as impaired driving,” says Lt. Kenton Turner, Chair of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. “The Operation Dry Water campaign encourages all boaters to stay sober, always wear a life jacket when on or around the water, and to take a boating safety course prior to departure.”

Operation Dry Water, NASBLA’s national boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign, works year-round to facilitate increased public awareness of the dangers associated with impaired boating and heightened enforcement of boating under the influence laws. Alcohol consumption while boating is not only dangerous for the operator of the vessel, but also for passengers.** Impairment can lead to slips, falls overboard, injuries and deaths that could have been prevented. When alcohol is involved, the risk of dying is the same for an impaired operator and an impaired passenger, and for men and women.**

This year will be the 14th annual Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend, taking place nationwide July 2 – 4. Operation Dry Water provides a variety of free resources for the both law enforcement and outreach partners to use in educating boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies can register to participate in Operation Dry Water at operationdrywater.org.

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) coordinates the Operation Dry Water campaign, in partnership with law enforcement agencies and outreach partners nationwide, through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Operation Dry Water (ODW) is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign with the mission of reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and by fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.

*2020 U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics.

**2019 NASBLA Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Research Report.

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FablePathways.com

Fable’s goal with Pathways is to create the go-to resource for people with disabilities interested in advancing their careers in the tech sector.

TORONTO (PRWEB)
May 19, 2022

To mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day, leading accessibility start-up Fable is launching Pathways. Fable Pathways is a skill development program created by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities. Courses are free to take and boast a Masterclass quality of video production.

The purpose is to empower and excite people with disabilities to pursue a career in the technology sector. In 2021, according to the US Department of Labour, 19.1% of PWD in the US were employed, compared to 63.7% of people without a disability. Similarly in Canada, according to Stats Can, 59% of people with disabilities were employed, compared to 80% of those without disabilities (while the rate of employment for persons with more severe disabilities was even lower).

Today Fable Pathways is launching with two courses. The first is “Getting started in web development” in partnership with Microsoft, which introduces VS Code and GitHub to screen reader users. Course instructors are specialists in their fields, and offer their expertise with the nuance of having built that knowledge as someone with a disability:

“Working with Fable to create my course was an enjoyable and rewarding experience. My hope is that the course provides the skills and coaching needed for learners to advance to their next level. Knowledge and my experiences are rewarding for me to share and Fable Pathways allowed me to do just that.” – Kelly Ford, Senior Accessibility Program Manager at Microsoft and Instructor, Fable Pathways

The second course released today is “Becoming a manager”:

“One of the most critical components of management is communication, and I’ve had a unique journey of building that skill as someone who’s hearing impaired and have relied on assistive devices since I was six years old. I’m thrilled to share what I’ve learned, and truly hope to see more people with disabilities in leadership roles in the tech sector.” — Kate Kalcevich, Head of Accessibility Innovation at Fable and Instructor, Fable Pathways

The launch of Pathways comes on the heels of Fable closing a $10.5M USD Series A financing round, announced earlier this week. The round was led by Five Elms Capital, with participation from Difference Ventures, Disruption Ventures and notable angels including John Ruffolo, one of Canada’s most prominent investors and an advocate for accessibility and inclusion.

“People with disabilities are underemployed and Fable’s in a unique position to influence that, while growing our business. Our goal with Pathways is to create the go-to resource for people with disabilities interested in advancing their careers in the tech sector and this is a great first step.” — Abid Virani, COO and Co-Founder of Fable

Fable Pathways is supported by ServiceNow, MIT Solve and the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work.

Fable Pathways is now available at FablePathways.com.

About Fable

Since 2018 Fable has been helping enterprises build accessible user experiences by engaging with people with disabilities throughout the product development cycle. Organizations work with Fable to make products more accessible for over 1 billion people who live with disabilities. By doing so, Fable provides flexible work opportunities to people with disabilities in the technology sector.

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A community in Indonesia is running a disaster risk reduction simulation drill ©DiDRR Consortium

“…[W]e must admit that little has been achieved around the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster preparation, response, and recovery,” said Vladimir Cuk, Executive Director of the International Disability Alliance.

GENEVA (PRWEB)
May 19, 2022

“It has now been 7 years since we were in Sendai, Japan to discuss how to build a more resilient world while facing more disasters. In 2015, IDA, as an organization of persons with disabilities, was excited to see strong provisions on disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction in the Sendai Framework. But packing for Bali to discuss progress in implementing what we had agreed in Sendai, we must admit that little has been achieved around the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster preparation, response, and recovery,” said Vladimir Cuk, Executive Director of the International Disability Alliance (IDA).

Recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and concerned how to tackle climate change, world leaders, civil society and United Nations agencies are gathering in Bali, Indonesia to participate in the Seventh Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (23-28 May 2022). The theme is “From Risk to Resilience: Towards Sustainable Development for All in a COVID-19 Transformed World”.

In this altered world, human rights are as relevant as ever in emergency response and Disaster Risk Reduction. Respecting and upholding human rights is a pre-condition to ensuring that the different requirements of the population – before, during and after emergencies – are taken into account and contribute to strengthening resilience, particularly for the most marginalized groups.

Persons with disabilities, particularly in the Global South, are disproportionately affected by disasters, facing higher risk of death, injury, displacement, and property loss. Discrimination based on disability, age and gender often combines with other indirect forms of discrimination, denying people their right to assistance, protection, and participation in disaster management.

The preparedness and mitigation mechanisms addressing disaster risks are still not inclusive of the rights of persons with disabilities. As a result, persons with disabilities are more likely to be left behind during emergencies, with a death rate at least twice as high as that of the general affected population. Covid-19 has shown a blatant example of how pre-existing patterns of discrimination and exclusion have had a disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities, particularly underrepresented groups.

Ensuring inclusion and participation of all persons with disabilities in situations of risk and during emergency response is laid out in Article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and must be considered a core component of principled and effective humanitarian action, including Disaster Risk Reduction.

IDA, a representative organization of more than 1,100 organizations of persons with disabilities worldwide, believes that an effective Disaster Risk Reduction is the one that addresses the root causes of disasters – which lay in societal vulnerabilities, in unaccommodated needs, disempowered strengths and unbuilt capacities of the population at risk.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly shown that a paradigm shift must occur in dealing with global-scale humanitarian and environmental crisis. The only successful way to overcome and prevent such crisis is one that does not leave anyone behind. Where persons with disabilities and their representative organizations are recognized as agents of change, they have the opportunity to serve in leading positions to tackle global problems, and their experiences are valued in all sectors of life,” said Cuk.

IDA calls on all participants at the Global Platform to bring human rights back into the conversation, by following a “twin-track approach” to Disaster Risk Reduction, as enshrined in the Convention. Empower people with disabilities by building capacity and reducing vulnerabilities, on one side. Develop inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction policies to increase awareness of people’s requirements and capabilities and improve the preparation and training of disaster practitioners, on the other.

Ensuring a human rights-based and disability-inclusive perspective in pre-emergency phases is crucial to effectively protect persons with disabilities during the most acute phases of the emergency – choices made during the preparation stage have crucial repercussions on durable reconstruction and on the long-term mitigation of human suffering. We will not achieve a sustainable and resilient society if all human rights of all persons are not protected, respected, and upheld.

Learn more about the recommendations by the Stakeholders Group of Persons with Disabilities Thematic Group on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Action.

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About the International Disability Alliance (IDA)

IDA, established in 1999, is a network of eight global and six regional organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs). IDA members, and their members, represent over 1100 OPDs from across 182 countries and the estimated one billion persons with disabilities worldwide. Its mission is to advance the human rights of persons with disabilities as a united voice of organizations of persons with disabilities utilizing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other human rights instruments. The 14 members of IDA are: the African Disability Forum (ADF); the ASEAN Disability Forum (AsDF); the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD); Down Syndrome International (DSI); the European Disability Forum (EDF); Inclusion International (II); the International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH); the International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IFSBH); the Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and their Families (RIADIS); the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF); the World Blind Union (WBU); the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD); the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB); and the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP). For more information, please visit: http://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/

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