CDC Foundation’s Post

July is Disability Pride Month. This month, especially, I encourage you to take a moment to consider how you support the disabled community in your everyday life and work. Is your organization pushing out videos on your platforms with captions for the Deaf community? Are your offices/facilities wheelchair accessible? Do your hiring policies allow accommodations to employ a wide range of qualified individuals? Do you have processes in place to accommodate interpretation for the Deaf community? Do you have print resources available in Braille for the Blind community? Are your products accessible for those with limited fine motor ability? Do you follow disabled content creators online? Do you read books authored by disabled people who share their lived experiences? Do you read books with your children/littles in your life about disability? Disability is not a subject to be ignored! We all must know how to support and interact with disabled people in a way that honors their humanity. Also, look for opportunities to support your local disabled community - such as ARC of McLennan County, Friends for Life Waco, No Limitations Waco, Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network, Mobilize Waco, Special Olympics Heart of Texas, and Bitty & Beau's Coffee - to name a few. This list isn't exhaustive. Please ask if you have questions about these suggestions or would like book recommendations. I am happy to share what resources I have in my collection as a mom of a disabled toddler who is constantly learning to better advocate for her and others. #inclusionmatters #disabilitypride #disabilityisntabadword

Part of what I do involves advocating for elders who have disabilities. My empathy, and passion for better quality of life, is rooted in my personal experience with living with a disability. There is so much truth to "nothing about us, without us". I know firsthand what it's like to navigate the complicated healthcare system, what it's like to be in a care partner relationship, and the need for improved quality of life for people living with disabilities. It takes work on both a micro and macro level to advocate for the disabled community. Some of that work involves lifting disabled voices.

“Imagine a future with home care and elder care so seniors and people living with disabilities can stay in their homes and family caregivers get paid what they deserve. … Our North Star—the very idea of America—(is) that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. We’ve never fully lived up to that idea, but we’ve never walked away from it, either. And I won’t walk away from it now.” — President Biden, State of the Union, March 7, 2024 I watched the State of the Union on The White House's YouTube channel last night. I continue to appreciate President Biden, Vice President Harris, and White House staff advocating for—and working toward—all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities having the choice to live in their communities with the support of home- and community-based services. This means ending the waitlists for services of hundreds of thousands of intellectually disabled Americans across the country and increasing compensation for care workers, whether Direct Support Professionals or family members who cannot work outside the home so they can take care of a loved one, to levels that will attract and appropriately reward excellent-quality staff. Intellectually and developmentally disabled Americans deserve no less than to have good-quality lives in their own communities—with their friends and family. Let's not imagine that inclusive future—let's make it the reality *now*. We can do it if we value it. #IDD #disability #autism #inclusion #acceptance #careworkers #SOTU

On National Disability Independence Day, we celebrate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and we acknowledge that there is an ongoing need to increase accessibility. We know that the world we live in is not designed for people with disabilities. As physical therapists, we got into this field to offer personalized care that helps improve mobility, strength, and overall well-being, both for people with injuries or ailments and for people who have disabilities. Therefore, today, we ask that you join us in asking our legislators to continue to push to make our cities more handicap accessible. Simply go to https://lnkd.in/ewKRfdxg and ask them for their help in making Massachusetts be livable for everyone. . . . . . . #FlexPlus #PhysicalTherapy #PT #Pain #PainFree #LowCost #HighQuality #Natick #MetroWest #fyzical #NationalDisabilityIndependenceDay #Independence #Inclusion

Happy Disability Pride Month everyone! Every July is recognized as Disability Pride Month to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. We’re digging into the unique financial planning needs of this community and providing a few helpful money tips for individuals with disabilities and their loved ones. Check out our latest blog post to read more: https://lnkd.in/gtDCNVGx #disabilitypridemonth #inclusivefinancialplanning #worklifemoneybalance #retirementplanning

Today is National Disability Independence Day! This day is special because it commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was an essential step in reducing barriers for inclusion in society. Since the ADA was signed in 1990, over 90% of countries in the world have passed disability civil rights laws inspired by the ADA. While we celebrate these wins for the global disability community, we must also use this day as a way to bring awareness to the hurdles that individuals with disabilities continue to face every day. Let's champion inclusivity and accessibility for a brighter future. Here are some ways you can celebrate today: - Watch a movie or television show that positively centers individuals with disabilities - Support businesses or organizations led by disabled people - Read a book by a disabled author or one that features disabled characters [#Access image description: Design with four squares in the background and graphics representing different disabilities on each square (colors are peach, light blue, dark blue, light brown, and dark brown). Image reads "National Disability Independence Day"] #TBB #PropellingPotential #AdultDisability #Interdisciplinary #SpeechTherapy #Physiotherapy #OccupationalTherapy #PT #SLP #OT #Rehab #Rehabilitation #Therapy #RehabilitationTherapy #Train #Training #Trainer #DisabilityIndependenceDay #DisabilityPrideMonth

We are so honored and excited to be providing a continuing ed panel/workshop. It is virtually and accessible anywhere there is wifi! LINK BELOW TO REGISTER! Monday, July 15, 2024, 1-4:30 p.m. | 3.5 CEUs Our world is centered on the rights and needs of non-disabled people. This workshop with the creators of the documentary Most Beautiful People | Adults with Disabilities will explore the definition of disability, and provide insights into systemic problems disabled individuals endure on a regular basis. Historically, our world tends to share the stories and truths of those in power, and the struggles of many are often not seen or acknowledged by the greater whole. We are the Most Beautiful People presents intimate stories collected from a wide array of persons with disabilities from around the world. The film also explores the concept of what it means to be beautiful, and uses beauty as an underlying theme to challenge the concept of beauty, urging people to rethink how they engage with all humans in the world. Participants will view clips of the documentary and engage in discussion topics that explore concepts those with disabilities regularly contend with, including institutionalization, ableism, Disability Justice, the medical model vs. the social model of disability, equity, mental health, aging, and suicidality. The film and workshop will also explore how some individuals cope using therapeutic art, and participants will engage in an art making activity. Participants are encouraged to have materials nearby that they find soothing to work with (drawing materials, watercolor, collage materials, etc.). This workshop will provide an engaging and safe space for curiosity, creativity and enriching discussion on a topic that is regularly unseen by many, and will also include allyship and strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities. https://lnkd.in/gG3uVTD7

🎉 Happy National Disability Independence Day! 🎉 Today, we celebrate the rights and independence of people with disabilities and commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The ADA ensures access to public establishments, transportation, communication, and government services, prohibiting discrimination based on disabilities. Did you know? One in four adults in the U.S. has a disability (CDC). Three out of four people with disabilities experience some form of abuse (NCADV). People with disabilities are 4-10 times more likely to be victimized than those without disabilities (CDC). Children with disabilities are 4 times more likely to experience abuse (BBC). Disabilities can affect mobility, hearing, vision, cognition, communication, and mental health, creating opportunities for abusers to exploit. These challenges may prevent some victims from seeking support or recognizing the abuse they experience. Additionally, domestic violence can cause disabilities through physical injury or mental health issues. If you or someone you know needs help, please call our 24hr hotline at 1-800-603-4357. 💪💜 #DisabilityIndependenceDay #ADA #Advocacy #DisabilityRights #EndAbuse #NationalDisabilityAwareness

On National Disability Independence Day, we celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, and recognize the achievements and rights of individuals with disabilities. The #digitaldivide can limit these citizens' access to services and resources essential to their quality of life. Let's make closing the digital divide a priority in PA! #digitalequity #ADA #DisabilityIndependenceDay

What Inequities Do Disabled People Face? Share Your Thoughts! We encourage everyone in the disability community to respond to the request for information, or RFI, from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, which seeks input to help steer the development of the Federal Evidence Agenda on Disability Equity. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is asking the public for feedback to understand the full scope of inequities faced by disabled people and the gaps in our current knowledge. Ultimately, the agenda will support the government in making data-informed policy decisions to advance equity in all areas—including health, employment, education and others—for people with disabilities. You may submit comments until July 15, 2024. Learn more and submit your comments at https://bit.ly/3yQg1CD