Next to employment, accessing community is the biggest barrier to inclusion faced by people with disabilities.
So you can appreciate how pleased I was to walk another north side neighborhood now completely outfitted with new accessible sidewalks. ‘Props’ to the City of Lethbridge for doing their part opening up inclusive neighborhoods.
Exclusion however, continues in our community as a by-product of the general lack of awareness about disabled issues and the prevalence to view disabilities as a “devalued trait in our society”. For the developmentally delayed the lack of community involvement in their lives is further compounded by their unique limitations.
The sector as a whole could benefit from a targeted campaign, actively seeking compassionate people willing to participate in the support networks of people with developmental disabilities.
It really does take a team of people (some paid and most not) to come alongside our special needs citizens to fully realize inclusion.
I would optimistically suggest that most people are simply unaware that there are numerous gratifying opportunities for community minded individuals; where they can become part of a developmentally delayed individual’s person-centered support network.
If you are a person in touch with your own compassion, you can share your gifts, talents, and even your wisdom securing the right to a good life for a person living with a developmental disability.
From advocacy to accompaniment you can take your pick and join together to open the world of a person who needs you to do that. Irrespective of your profession, you can make a difference, one individual at a time.
Volunteering is usually made easy. In most instances those providing services to the developmentally delayed will do all the leg work and cover all the associated start-up costs for your new volunteer adventure. You’re really needed!
Because as a caring society we cannot off-load compassion to the government, and it simply cannot be reasonable to consider the government fund the things which a community should do as a function of its purpose.
By: Shonna Kurkilahti
Thank you for participating in our Corporate Inclusion Campaign. For more information on our campaign, click on the Inclusion Campaign button on our home page.
