skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, September 20, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Dozens of CA events this weekend honor Latino Conservation Week; Kamala Harris joins Oprah Winfrey in emotional campaign event; Report finds poor working conditions in Texas clean energy industry; AI puts on a lab coat, heads to technical schools.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Beauty Highlighted During Disabilities Awareness Month

play audio
Play

Monday, March 7, 2016   

OZARK, Missouri - In 1987 President Ronald Reagan declared March Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, calling on Americans to provide the "encouragement and opportunities" necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential.

Jan Jones is director of Abilities First, which works to break down some of the barriers the developmentally disabled face in everyday life. She says society has come a long way when it comes to acceptance.

"Just because I may be better at one thing and not as good at something else doesn't define who I am, either positive or negatively," says Jones. "It's just who I am."

Jones says there are still things that need to be done to advance opportunities for people with disabilities, including removing labels and the offensive "R" word from our language.

Jones says young people are key to promoting acceptance. Her 17-year-old daughter, Mallory, has organized what's called an "Inspired Fashion Show" as a high school project.

Mallory says it's important to remember people are just people, no matter what they look like.

"There are too many situations in which I have experienced some of my peers just saying to me. 'Mal, I don't know how you do it,' and I say, 'Do what?' and they say, 'I don't know how to interact with them,' 'them' being people with developmental disabilities."

She says she's seen too much bullying and oppression, and says it upsets her to see how some people will treat others, because they are perceived to be different.

Mallory says those participating in the fashion show probably never imagined they'd get to walk the runway like a supermodel.

"It's addicting, the feeling that you get from being in this environment," she says. "And feeling like you can be you, and not have to worry about being judged by anybody," says Mallory. "It's just amazing. It's like you're on the top of the world."

The Inspired Fashion Show is being held March 18 at Ozark High School.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Some 899 of 936 public comments on the plan for the proposed West Fork Dam, or 96%, opposed the West Fork Battle Creek Dam project, according to a tally by Wyofile. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A federal agency is requiring Wyoming to update cost estimates for a large proposed dam in Carbon County, which has been under feasibility studies …


Social Issues

play sound

This Saturday marks the International Day of Peace and the advocacy group Nonviolent Peaceforce is kicking off a series of family-friendly events in M…

Environment

play sound

Latino Conservation Week is in full swing, with 330 events across the U.S. and 90 in California alone. The 11th annual event runs through Sunday…


Nebraska is one of 10 states to confirmed abortion-related constitutional amendment measures on the ballot in November. (Alcorn Imagery/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Some ballot initiatives this year have taken more than voter signatures to get onto the ballot in Nebraska. They've already withstood major court …

Environment

play sound

Maine officials are stepping up land conservation projects as climate change continues to alter the state's terrain. New funding from the Land for …

Social Issues

play sound

A new study showed as Texas has emerged as a national leader in wind turbine and solar energy installations, clean energy workers often face …

play sound

Students enrolled at Wisconsin's technical colleges this fall might take a course where artificial intelligence is the star of the classroom…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021