Inspiring People

Understanding Person-First vs. Identity-First Language: A Guide to Respectful Communication

08/26/24 - advocacy, disability awareness, Education, Inspiring People, jjslist.com, Person-First Language, Search, Inc., Self-Advocacy, Tools and aids - 0 Comments

By Kamaria Kali, Search Inc. Administrative and Development Assistant

At JJ’s List, our goal is to equip businesses with tools and trainings to become more accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities. In the pursuit of creating inclusive and respectful environments, one important aspect of communication…

Get Involved: Disability Pride Month 2024 with JJ’s List

08/01/24 - advocacy, disability awareness, Disability in the Media, Education, Independence, Inspiring People, Search, Inc., Self-Advocacy - 0 Comments

Each year in July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month in honor of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA significantly improved the rights of people with disabilities across America and is considered a landmark piece of legislation for…

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2024

03/22/24 - Accessibility in Public, disability awareness, Disability in the Media, Education, Inspiring People, jjslist.com, Mental Illness, Search, Inc., Self-Advocacy - 0 Comments

Every year in March, we celebrate National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). DDAM raises awareness for developmental disabilities and works to build a community where everyone is empowered to succeed, both people with and without disabilities. This year’s theme is a World of Opportunities, celebrating…

Happy Holidays from JJ’s List

12/22/23 - Disability Awareness Players, Inspiring People, JJ's List Fun, jjslist.com, Search, Inc., Self-Advocacy - 0 Comments

In the spirit of the holidays, we asked our Ignite group at Search and our Disability Awareness Players what they are grateful for and their favorite holiday music and movies. Read their responses below:

What are you most grateful for this year?

Ignite Group

Abby: I am grateful… Read More >

Thanksgiving Favorites with the Disability Awareness Players

11/22/23 - disability awareness, Disability Awareness Players, Disability Awareness Training, Disability Employment and Housing, Events, Inspiring People, JJ's List Fun, Search, Inc., Uncategorized - 0 Comments

The holiday season is officially here! We talked to our Disability Awareness Players about what they are grateful for this year, their favorite holiday traditions and more. Read their responses below.

What are you most grateful for this year?

Brian: I am most grateful that I am… Read More >

Summer Highlights

08/23/23 - Accessibility in Public, advocacy, Business News, Disability Employment and Housing, Disability-Aware Businesses, Disability-Aware Service, Education, Events, Inspiring People, JJ's List Fun, jjslist.com, Search, Inc., Self-Advocacy, Social Enterprise, Uncategorized - 0 Comments

Ignite, one of our Search Day programs, went on many adventures this summer. They explored the Chicagoland area by going to plays, movies, restaurants, beaches and more. They are excited to share their experience and they had so much fun! Read on to hear more…

Pride Month: Reflection, Connection, and Celebration!

06/26/23 - advocacy, Education, Guest Blogger, Inspiring People, Search, Inc. - 0 Comments

By Beth Ann Kimura

Pride month is bittersweet for LGBTQIA+ community. It is a time of rememberance for what occurred during the Stonewall riots and discrimation that our community has faced. It is a time to recognize the pain and limitations our community continues to face….

Celebrating Juneteenth at Search

- advocacy, Education, Guest Blogger, Independence, Inspiring People, Search, Inc., Self-Advocacy - 0 Comments

By Princess Porter

June 19, 1865 commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Although slavery is not discussed in history classes, being able to educate the clients about a significant historical event was exciting.

Surprisingly, Juneteenth is not as well-known as the Fourth of July…

Mental Health Awareness and Today’s Perspective

05/31/23 - Guest Blogger, Inspiring People, JJ's List Fun, Search, Inc., Tools and aids - 0 Comments

By Beth Ann Kimura and Angela Reynolds

If it feels like there are days you are always talking about mental health with your close ones, it is most likely you are not the only one. The conversation of mental health and self-care have been at the…

Interview with Jess F.

04/27/23 - advocacy, Business News, Disability Employment and Housing, Disability in the Media, Disability-Aware Businesses, Education, Employment, Independence, Inspiring People, Self-Advocacy, Uncategorized - 0 Comments

The ComEd Energy Force program is the country’s first program that empowers people with developmental disabilities to teach others about solar options and energy-saving tips. The program began in 2012 with eight nonprofits with which ComEd had established relationships.

At that time, the focus was peer-to-peer…