Access by Paul Mansell
For independent living and integration into their communities, people with developmental disables rely on access. When we think of access, we typically think of curb cuts, ramps, and doorways–an issue for those with mobility limitations. I can speak from my experience pushing my laundry cart to the laundromat; curb cuts make a world of difference.
I would like to suggest another dimension to access that has a more universal application and that is access to opportunity. For people to fulfill their potential and to realize the full benefits and rewards of being integrated in their communities, they need to be afforded the opportunities to achieve to their full potential just like anyone else in their communities.
Integrated communities need to be enlighten and accepting to afford opportunities regardless of race, creed, nationality, status, gender, or sexual orientation. The strength of a community comes from its inclusivity and diversity and not from its uniformity and conformity. People should never be denied opportunities out of prejudice, fear, or stereotyping.
Being afforded opportunities allows people with developmental disabilities to grow and mature as a person and become more fully integrated in their communities. The flip side of this is equally true. When people are denied opportunities to achieve their potential, they become discouraged and frustrated and the likelihood that they will drop out of their community increase, and they end up living diminished lives at home segregated from their communities.
Accessing opportunities involves risk taking. There is uncertainty when anyone steps outside their comfort zone to achieve something worthwhile and valuable for all parties concerned. The person who affords the opportunity is taking the risk because there is no guarantee of success. Likewise the person taking has to put aside fears of failure with the hopes they will be able to achieve.
Some pursuits to achieving can be done spontaneously. These are usually simple, requiring risk taking and the risk of failure is minimal. When pursuing more ambitious opportunities, such efforts must be done intentionally with a plan in place with appropriate supports and accommodations provided to maximize the likelihood of success.
It is important to remember that each member of the community is an asset that contributes to wellbeing of the greater whole—members are human capital. When each member is able to access opportunities to reach their potential the community efficiently utilizes the human capital of its members and is able to reach its goals and objective and be more successful at fulfilling its mission.
Access is vital to anyone with a developmental disability–be it physical or access to opportunity. Both help an individual grow and mature as a group member and be better able to contribute to the community. Access makes communities more tightly knit, integrated, diverse, and integrated. Individuals and communities live up to their potential, and it is a win-win for all parties concerned.
Integrated communities need to be enlighten and accepting to afford opportunities regardless of race, creed, nationality, status, gender, or sexual orientation. The strength of a community comes from its inclusivity and diversity and not from its uniformity and conformity. People should never be denied opportunities out of prejudice, fear, or stereotyping.
Being afforded opportunities allows people with developmental disabilities to grow and mature as a person and become more fully integrated in their communities. The flip side of this is equally true. When people are denied opportunities to achieve their potential, they become discouraged and frustrated and the likelihood that they will drop out of their community increase, and they end up living diminished lives at home segregated from their communities.
Accessing opportunities involves risk taking. There is uncertainty when anyone steps outside their comfort zone to achieve something worthwhile and valuable for all parties concerned. The person who affords the opportunity is taking the risk because there is no guarantee of success. Likewise the person taking risks has to put aside fears of failure with the hopes they will be able to achieve.
Some pursuits to achieving can be done spontaneously. These are usually simple, requiring risk taking and the risk of failure is minimal. When pursuing more ambitious opportunities, such efforts must be done intentionally with a plan in place with appropriate supports and accommodations provided to maximize the likelihood of success.
It is important to remember that each member of the community is an asset that contributes to wellbeing of the greater whole—members are human capital. When each member is able to access opportunities to reach their potential the community efficiently utilizes the human capital of its members and is able to reach its goals and objective and be more successful at fulfilling its mission.
Access is vital to anyone with a developmental disability–be it physical or access to opportunity. Both help an individual grow and mature as a group member and be better able to contribute to the community. Access makes communities more tightly knit, integrated, diverse, and integrated. Individuals and communities live up to their potential, and it is a win-win for all parties concerned.