Disabilities in Nutrition and Dietetics

07/19/2024

July is Disability Pride Month!

Disability Pride Month takes place every July, commemorating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which passed on July 26th, 1990.

This year's theme for Disability Pride month, "We Want a Life Like Yours" reflects the disability community's strive for equality.

We want to recognize all of our MIG members this month for their tenacious effort in expanding access to quality nutrition education and therapy for persons with disabilities.

The disability flag included in the image below showcases 6 colors:
- Charcoal gray background: signifies the memory of those with disabilities who are victims of ablest abuse and violence.
- Diagonal band of red, gold, white, blue, and green: denotes cutting across the barriers preventing people with disabilities from full inclusion and integration in society
- Red: represents physical disabilities (mobility impairment, loss of limbs, etc.)
- Gold: represents neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.)
- White: represents invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
- Blue: represents psychiatric disabilities (depression, PTSD, anxiety, etc.)
- Green: represents sensory disabilities (hearing loss, visual impairments, etc.)

Image description: at the top of of the picture, the disability pride flag is stretched across, as described above. The middle of the photo in white text in front of a charcoal background has the phrase "Happy Disability Pride Month." Below the text is an image of 4 people, 3 of which have a fist in the air, two carry orange flags, one is using a wheelchair and another has a prosthetic leg.

06/11/2024

‼️Extra Benefits at No Cost for Disabilities MIG Members‼️

The Disabilities MIG is excited to offer many extra benefits at no cost to our members due to our Disability Inclusivity grant funded by the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability.

Deadline to apply: Friday, June 21, 2024

Click here to apply:

Please click the link to complete this form.

05/29/2024

The Disabilities MIG of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is pleased to offer this exclusively to you our valued members. Please join your peers at this informative educational event.

What and When:
Accessibility for Nutrition and Wellness Programs for People with Disabilities: What's Available, Why They're Important, and their Impact

May 30, 2024, 3:00-4:00 pm. Central Time
To Register: https://eatright-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckc-Crqj4tE9HNS2RVoBWP22wPQqwHPCvQ #/registration

Speaker: Alena Iris Basa Morales, RD/RDN
Alena is a Registered Dietitian with a background in clinical nutrition and disability access labor. She worked in Disability Access and Compliance for the University of California, where she created access policy and wellness programs for disabled affiliates and opened one of the first disability cultural centers in the country.

Image description: Alena is pictured smiling outside in front of palm trees. She has brown long hair, red lipstick, black winged eye liner, and glasses. She is wearing a white short sleeve button up shirt with black polka dots.

05/22/2024

The Disabilities in Nutrition and Dietetics MIG is excited to announce a virtual networking event, "Job Hunting with a Disability."

"Meet others in the Disabilities in Nutrition and Dietetics MIG. Come learn from one another about finding and landing a job with a disability. Share your experience or come to learn from others. We look forward to engaging with you all as we explore this topic together."

When: Wednesday, May 22nd, 5:00-6:00 PST

To register: https://eatright-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkd-ivqTgvGNyAkCGcaivzBu_MJS8z_zjV #/registration

What to expect:
~ Networking opportunities
~ Interactive Activities
~ Information Exchange

Questions? Contact Regina @ [email protected]

Image below contains information listed above in dark sea foam green and maroon text.

04/24/2024

❕Apply for Special Elections❕

The Disabilities in Nutrition and Dietetics MIG is conducting a special election to fill two roles, each with defined terms and transitional responsibilities.

⚫️ Chair-Elect: once selected, will serve until 5/31/24 as a preparatory period before assuming the full responsibilities of the Chair-Elect position. This is a 2-year term, from 6/1/24-5/31/25. Following this tenure, they will transition into the Past-Chair position, providing continuity and guidance. This is a two year commitment.

⚫️ Volunteer Coordinator: once selected, will serve until 5/31/24 and assume the Nominating Committee Chair-Elect position on 6/1/24 for 1 year before transitioning to Nominating Committee Chair in 2025, where they will work in actively shaping the future leadership of our organization. This is a two year commitment.

Both of these positions not only offer immediate responsibilities but also the opportunity to contribute to the long-term strategic direction of our organization. We encourage qualified candidates to volunteer and be part of this essential process. Responsibilities for each position may be found in our upcoming MIG Spring newsletter and on our MIG discussion board (https://www.disabilitiesmig.org/home).

Interested applicants may apply here: https://form.jotform.com/241125025227141

Please contact Lacey Gammon at [email protected] if you need assistance reviewing or filling out the application jotform.

Please click the link to complete this form.

04/12/2024

The Disabilities MIG is pleased to announce Alicia Connor, MA, RDN, and member of the Disabilities in Nutrition and Dietetics MIG is speaking at the New Hampshire AND Annual Conference next month, May 2nd. This is made possible thanks to our MIG's Affiliate Speaker Grant Program, which is funded by a grant from the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability.

Where: The Puritan, 245 Hookset Road, Manchester, NH

Click here to register --> https://eatrightnh.org/annualconference/

Image/flyer description: Over a white background with red, green, and black stripes, has written "I'm speaking at NHAND Annual Conference" in large text. Below that in smaller font states "Inclusion in IDEA: Practical Steps for the Dietetics Profession to Include People with Disabilities - whether Students, Interns, Practitioners, or Patients".

We hope to see you there!

03/12/2024

Join us for our upcoming educational event offered free to you as our valued MIG Member!

Date: Monday, March 18,2024
Time: 1:00-2:00 pm. CT
Topic: Sensory Issues and Picky Eating in People with Disabilities

Learn more about picky eaters and strategies to improve their physical, mental and emotional health while preserving trust and joy. Picky eating is a common challenge for individuals with various disabilities. These hurdles affect not only nutritional balance but also family relationships. This session will discuss the causes, symptoms and consequences of picky eating and strategies for expanding food selections while fostering trust and joy for the family as they eat together and strive for wellness together. It highlights the value of interdisciplinary approach and the role of registered dietitian nutritionists in a holistic health team.

CPEU: 1 (Pending}
Level: 2
Click here for link to register: https://eatright-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkd-CprDgsEtTi9gE9pXHanTya4An5NaXj #/registration

Speaker: Sharon Lemons, MS, RDN, CDCES, LD, FAND

Sharon has been working in the field of developmental disabilities for early childhood intervention and then with adults for a total of nine years. Her current focus is nutrition in the mental health setting and educating dietitians about nutrition for individuals who have autism. Recently, Sharon published a book on autism and wellness. She participated in the development of the Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for Dietitian Nutritionists (Competent, Proficient and Expert) in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Lemons is the current treasurer for the Disabilities Member Interest Group. She received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University.

Image description: Sharon with blond short hair smiles in front of a brown background wearing a white and blue striped top with a blue scarf.

02/23/2024

FREE CEU - Register Now!

On the Menu: Evidence-Based Recommendations Concerning Nutrition for People with Spinal Cord Injuries

Do you want to learn more about evidenced-based nutritional recommendations for people with spinal cord injury (SCI)? This webinar presents not only the academic concepts but also the personal experience of living with SCI.

Physiological changes from SCI can directly, or indirectly, impact dietary intake whilst physiological changes may impact nutrient needs. We’’ll explore these challenges and ways to cope with them.

Learning Objectives:
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Compare the energy and macronutrient needs of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with those without SCI.
2. Explain some approaches for preventing neurogenic obesity in persons with SCI.
3. Describe nutritional strategies that prevent secondary health complications for someone with SCI.

Performance Indicators:
Critical Thinking and Decision Making: 4.1.2.
Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics: 8.1.2.
Education and Counseling 9.3.3

CPEU: 1 (Pending)
CPE Level: 2
Registration link: https://eatright-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlcO-opzsvHN3eoA0Abk7RA2qDGFzvRFQV

Image description: Justin Batchelder, a white, power wheelchair user, smiling at the camera in his dark magenta collared shirt. He has blue eyes, gray-brown short hair, a mustache, and small beard covering his chin.