Welcome

Bainbridge Advocacy Individual Network, Inc (BAIN) is a consumer driven, non-residential Center for Independent Living (CIL) serving eleven counties throughout Southwest Georgia. BAIN is a non-profit, community based resource and advocacy center run by and for individuals with disabilities. We reach even the most rural areas to provide information and referrals, peer support,independent living skills training and advocacy services that ultimately give others the tools to pursue freedom from dependence. It is our philosophy that people with disabilities can control and direct their own lives, taking risks and either failing or succeeding on their own terms.

Counties We Serve:

BAIN Center for Independent Living serves people with disabilities of all ages in the GA counties of Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Seminole, and Thomas.

Our Funding Sources:

BAIN is funded through Public & Private Donations, U.S. Department of Education, Foundations, United Way, Local Government, and the Georgia Department of Labor.

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m

Let Us Help You:

Find out about our many Programs

 

News You Should Know:

 

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month

Your most important asset is not your home, your car, your jewelry or other possessions. It’s your ability to earn a living. Think about it: All of your plans for the future—from buying a home, to putting your kids through college, to building a retirement nest egg—are based on the assumption you’ll continue to earn a paycheck until you retire. But what would happen if those paychecks stopped? That’s where disability insurance comes in. It provides an income to you and your family if you are unable to work because of illness or injury.

Though disability is behind a significant number of home foreclosures and personal bankruptcies, insuring against it has not been a high priority for most workers because many assume they’re already covered through Social Security, state-mandated Workers’ Compensation or employer-provided group plans. However, there are numerous holes in this safety net of coverage.

Know that about 45% of those who initially apply for disability benefits through Social Security are initially denied, and those who are approved get an average benefit of just $1,063 monthly—hardly enough to replace the average worker’s income. Workers’ Compensation covers only work-related disabilities, but according to the National Safety Council, 73% of disabling accidents and illnesses aren’t work-related. And what about coverage through work? It’s a great employee benefit, but it’s not available to many workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 70% of employers do not offer long-term disability coverage.

If your employer offers disability coverage, take the time to find out if the coverage would be sufficient to meet your income replacement needs in the event of a disabling illness or accident. If it’s insufficient, your employer may offer you the option to increase your disability benefit, often through a voluntary payroll deduction. Another option is to purchase coverage on your own.

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month (DIAM), the perfect time for a disability insurance “reality check.” Take this opportunity to make sure you’d be OK financially in the event that a disability keeps you out of work for an extended period of time.

 

May is Mental Health Month

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Fact #1: Mental illnesses are common. They are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada for ages 15-44, and approximately one in four adults experience a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. National Institute of Mental Health. “Statistics.” August 6, 2009.
  • Fact #2: Living with a mental illness does not make someone a “second-rate” worker. Studies show there are no differences in productivity when people with mental illnesses are compared to other employees. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Mental Health Campaign for Mental Health Recovery. “Mental Illness: Myths & Facts.” April 30, 2010.
  • Fact #3: Many mental disorders are biological in nature and can be medically treated. Between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have a significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports. National Alliance on Mental Illness. “What is Mental Illness: Mental Illness Facts.” April 30, 2010.

“Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.” William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, June 5, 1999.

Finding answers to questions about mental health-related programs, services, laws and benefits is now easier for the 57.7 million Americans living with mental illness, their families, caregivers and others. Visit Disability.gov for the latest national, state and local resources from government agencies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations on topics such as educational supports, housing assistance and transitional services. Individuals can also register for a personal account to customize their experience, allowing them to vote on resources, make comments, join groups to post questions and exchange ideas and more

 

Disabled Australian Man WOWS X-Factor Judges!

Click HERE

 

BAIN Celebrates Passage of Historic Legislation

BAIN held it’s annual Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration on July 23, 2011.  The celebration began with a march from the Winn Dixie parking lot to The Bainbridge Middle School Cafeteria.  During the march, you could hear chants echoing from participants….”Label Jars, Not People”, “Nothing About Us, Without Us”, “Disable the Label”, “My Vote Counts”, “Hey, Hey, Hey for the ADA”, etc…  Upon arriving at the Cafeteria, there was a program filled with Success Stories and Informative Service Agency Representative Speeches.  After the program, participants enjoyed a picnic followed by Simulation Stations and activities.  There were different Simulation Stations such as:  An obstacle course for persons to see how hard it is to maneuver thru entry ways and ramps in a manual wheelchair;  Simulation Station for a person to place a blackout mask on there face to see how hard it is to maneuver around as a vision impaired person has to go through each and every day of their lives. This simulation involved trying Golf while wearing a black out mask. There were also games such as a cake walk, Bingo, and Pogo.  Several Community Agencies attended and set up tables to pass out literature and give small presentations about their agency services. All then enjoyed a luncheon of hotdog, chips, drinks and pizza.  Prizes were given out in  events and won in the cake walk game.  Nearly 90 people participated. BAIN, Inc. would like to send a special thank you to all of our local businesses who donated prizes, monies, etc. to make this years ADA Celebration a success! 

Photos courtesy of www.bainbridgega.com

 

 

 

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