BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT EXISTS AND WHAT’S POSSIBLE

Accessibility Bridge Corporation hosted an event this week to help bridge the gap between what exists and what’s possible. The event offered not only a movie preview of an enlightening documentary film called The Ride Ahead, but also awareness, networking, and fundraising opportunities. In attendance, there was the superintendent of CCPS, representative from CC Parks and rec, day care providers, board members from CC Chamber of commerce, CCPS staff, and disability advocates; all with the common vision to see the growth of advocacy and accessibility in our county and beyond.

ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY BRIDGE CORPORATION

Accessibility Bridge Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities by providing resources that focus on reducing barriers, increasing access, and enabling individuals with disabilities to engage in their desired aspects of life. This organization’s biggest initiative is to partner with organizations to build capacity to support individuals with disabilities by helping them design programs, implement strategies, and monitor results. Our goal is to foster inclusive environments for all. Programming includes:

• Educational Equity: Accessibility Bridge’s Educational Equity Program is designed to provide educational resources for students with autism and/or intellectual impairments that will assist in bridging the gap in the educational divide.
• Mental Wellness Programs: People with disabilities encounter structural and ideological barriers, with societal stigma contributing to poor mental health. The CDC reports that adults with disabilities experience frequent mental distress nearly five times more often than those without disabilities. Accessibility Bridge is pleased to collaborate with The SonRise Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts a weekly Sunday support group call. This group facilitates open dialogue among parents caring for black children, regarding teen and young adult mental health. Offered free of charge via Zoom, the group provides a camera-free environment, enabling parents who may be experiencing challenges to access comfort and support.
• Athletic Initiative: The goal of the Brick 44 Athletic Initiative is to bring awareness, resources, and support to competitive athletes with disabilities. Participation in athletic activities is the context in which people form friendships, develop skills and competencies, express creativity, achieve mental and physical health, and determine meaning and purpose in life.
• Caring Cards Project: ABC is dedicated to empowering and encouraging people with disabilities and one way we accomplish this is through the Caring Card Project! Volunteer by sending cards filled with kindness, cheer, and gift cards if you would like! The Caring Card Project connects people across the United States in a thoughtful and meaningful way. Please join ABC in embracing our friends and reminding them that they matter and are loved.
• Autism Programs: The Autism outreach programs aim to increase understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism within the community by offering education, resources, and support. Our resources focus on raising acceptance and awareness, providing training for professionals and community members, and connecting individuals with autism and their families with necessary services.
• Hidden Disability Sunflower Initiative: Some disabilities or chronic illnesses are not obvious to others, which can cause confusion or skepticism about a person’s need for support. People may sometimes judge disability based only on appearance. The Hidden
• Disabilities Sunflower initiative was established to foster inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding. This symbol enables individuals to voluntarily indicate that they have a hidden disability. Wearing the Sunflower signifies that the individual may need additional support, patience, or consideration.

To learn more please visit, https://accessibilitybridge.com.

THE RIDE AHEAD

The film The Ride Ahead follows Samuel Habib, whose goals are pretty typical for a 21-year-old. Moving out of his family’s New Hampshire home. College. Establishing his career. Dating. Sex. Yet every rite of passage is fraught with challenges. Unexpected seizures and uncontrollable movements caused by his rare genetic disorder. Friends’ homes that are inaccessible to his wheelchair. His labored speech and use of a communication device are barriers to a social life. He craves more independence and a family of his own one day. “But no one tells you how to be an adult,” he says, “let alone an adult with a disability.” Samuel is determined to avoid the statistical realities: unemployment, isolation, institutionalization. A turning point comes when he starts talking to disabled adults, who have been through all he is going through now. And when he begins to channel their insights, a roadmap for himself, and for other young adults like him, begins to take shape. Be sure to check out this awesome initiative at https://www.rideaheadfilm.com.

MY TAKE AWAY

I highly recommend watching this film to gain a better understanding of the joys and challenges that individuals with disabilities face on a daily basis. Even while growing up in a neuro-diverse home, and having a career in the field of mental health, I felt the film had a big impact. Through programs like the ADA, things have come a long way for individuals with disabilities. However, after watching this film, I can tell we have a long way to go still. Advocacy, accessibility and services are needed to support these individuals with continuing education programs in the high education setting, and with professional development in the workplace. As a community, we can be better voices for ableism, independence and relationship building. We need to stand up to make sure playgrounds, public buildings and sidewalks are available in our community so we can all play, learn and grow together.