The most striking fact about the disability population is that it is the most inclusive. I will never be black and I will never be a woman, but I could become disabled on the drive home tonight.

—George Will

Disability Basics

One American in five is a person with a disability,

making people with disabilities the largest minority group in our nation,

andit’s the only group that anyone can

join at any time!

Disability is Natural

www.disabilityisnatural.com

Why Are You Like That?Aging

As we age, our bodies and minds work differentlyAlzheimer’s disease; decreased vision and hearing

Congenital Present at birth or happened during the birth

processSpina Bifida; Cerebral Palsy (CP)

AcquiredA specific event

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Onset of a disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

What’s wrong with this picture?

I dream of a day when people from around the world finally understand that having a disability is not the same as being sick; and that we are usually very healthy. And like all [people], we need to stay healthy.

—A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities

Disability and Health

Disability and HealthThe Medical Model of Disability

People with “impairments” have something “wrong” with them and must be cured, rehabilitated, or protected.

Disability Does Not Equal IllnessStandardized Patients

People with Disabilities Get Sick TooDelphine’s Story from A Health

Handbook for Women with Disabilities

The Independent Living Movement

Ed Roberts in California

The Independent Living MovementBegan in the late 60s and early 70s in the

midst of the Civil Rights MovementEd Roberts, one of the founders of the IL

movement, enrolled in the University of California at Berkeley

He was denied admission due to his disabilityHe challenged the decision and wonHe was forced to live in the infirmaryHe revolted against the restrictions and image

of being sickEd and other students organized practical

supports and moved out Accessible HousingPersonal Assistant Services

http://www.paraquad.org/Issue/IndependentLiving.html

Centers for Independent Living

Hearing of their success, many contacted them for information and support. In response to these requests, the first Center for Independent Living (CIL) was formed.

A CIL is more than just an organization; it embodies a movement with a philosophy rooted in principles similar to the civil rights and women’s movements.

The Independent Living Movement developed in response to systems that were inappropriate for people with disabilities.

Centers for Independent LivingA CIL is:

non-residential not-for-profitcommunity-based

Four Core ServicesAdvocacyIndependent Living Skills TrainingInformation and ReferralPeer Counseling

http://www.paraquad.org/Issue/IndependentLiving.html