Each July, Disability Pride Month offers an opportunity to celebrate people with disabilities and reflect on changes in inclusion and accessibility.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (enacted in July of 1990 and part of the reason Disability Pride Month is now) was a major victory in the fight for disability rights. It helped open doors to access and protection for many people by making them enforceable by law. There have been so many advancements made by disability advocates, since the ADA was put in place. Our world is more accessible than it has ever been, and the benefits of that accessibility are countless.
As The Arc notes, features like curb cuts, closed captioning, audiobooks, and voice dictation have gone on to benefit everyone, not just the disability community. There might have been pushback from non-disabled users at the beginning. People would complain that they were unnecessary or too expensive or too difficult to implement, but people with disabilities pushed back. They spoke up and advocated for the things that make living life more accessible.
Now curb cuts help caregivers who are pushing strollers. Many people use closed captioning to follow along while watching TV, movies, and online videos. People listen to audiobooks while driving or doing chores. And who hasn't used voice-to-text when their hands were full or they were busy doing something else?
There are an untold number of examples that prove the simple idea that when people with disabilities are included and things are made accessible, they work better for everyone
While there is a lot to celebrate about all the progress that's been made towards a completely inclusive world, there are still things that can be made better. Many disabled people still face barriers to being fully included, valued, and respected. Ableism, or the belief that people with disabilities are less valuable or worthy of respect than non-disabled people, is still a major problem in our society. Access to services and benefits has been shrinking and more people have been using the R-word again. Ableism can lead to bullying, exclusion, and even violence against disabled people.
Some disabled people are especially vulnerable to violence and abuse. They can be targeted by people who take advantage of their dependence on caregivers, their social isolation, or limited access to outside support. Even worse, many people with disabilities face obstacles to getting help from the very systems that are supposed to make these things better.
That's why accessibility and inclusion are such important parts of our work at SCVS. There are too many people who can't access safety and belonging, so we always strive to make our services available to anyone in Sullivan County who needs them. Our helpline is available on evening and weekends. Our office is wheelchair accessible and we can make reasonable accommodations for people who cannot come to the office in person. We aim to use clear, plain language and provide phone or video interpreters when needed. We address client's transportation and housing needs whenever possible. We provide medical and legal advocacy and accompaniment, helping people navigate confusing and complicated systems. Most importantly we work to empower survivors and adjust our services to fit their unique needs.
This Disability Pride Month, we celebrate the strength, creativity, and resilience of the disability community. We honor the advocates whose work has made our world more accessible and recognize that their efforts continue to benefit everyone. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to expanding inclusion and helping create a community where everyone can participate, belong, and thrive.
We're happy to share resources from external sources. However, since we do not work for these organizations, we can't guarantee accuracy of information, quality of services or products, and content may change over time.
If you notice a broken link or issue, please contact us at info@sulcovs.org.
This CDC page explains how common sexual and partner violence is for people with disabilities. It shares facts, reasons why it happens more often, and ideas to help prevent it.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline has a guide that shows what abuse can look like for people with disabilities, the difficulties they might face in getting help, and safe ways to reach out.
This resource talks about how domestic violence affects people with disabilities, the different types of abuse, the reasons leaving can be hard, and tips for finding help.
This article from RAINN explains that people with disabilities are more likely to face sexual violence. It covers why this happens, why it can be hard to report, talks about consent and, and shares ways to get help.
This article helps people who rely on a partner for care but are also being abused. It gives advice on how to make a safety plan and find help while staying safe.
The Arc of Pennsylvania promotes the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. They've gathered a lot of resources for disabled people in PA.
Call our hotline 570-946-4215 for free and confidential services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and all other crimes 24/7.
Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Visit thetrevorproject.org to get mental health resources and crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth
Call 1-800-588-1828 if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction in Sullivan County.
If your safety is in immediate danger call 911.