Freedom for All: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence
As our nation prepares to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on what independence truly means. And, I invite you to do the same.
For 250 years, our country has aspired to the ideals of liberty, opportunity, and self-determination. This journey has been, and will likely continue to be, imperfect. But, each generation has worked to improve upon the realization of those ideals.
For individuals with disabilities, progress in that journey toward independence is fairly recent.
Until the latter part of the 20th century, people with disabilities had few choices about where they lived, worked, learned, or spent their time. Institutional care, limited educational opportunities, and physically inaccessible communities were real barriers to full participation in life. Then a growing self-advocacy movement and monumental legislative changes helped define not only what is possible, but what is right. Two of these changes are the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1975) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). If you are not familiar, follow these links to learn more:
People with disabilities today are pursuing higher education, meaningful employment, independent living, and active roles in their communities more than ever before.
Yet independence does not mean doing everything alone.
Independence is having the opportunity to make your own decisions and pursue your own goals. All of us need support or lean on others to follow through on our decisions and pursue our dreams. For individuals with disabilities that support may be accessible transportation, assistive technology, inclusive and adapted recreation, employment coaching, or other community-based services. These resources empower individuals to thrive by removing barriers.
As we commemorate our nation's semiquincentennial, let's remember every person deserves the chance to live with dignity, purpose, and choice. Building welcoming neighborhoods, accessible public spaces, inclusive programs, and supportive relationships benefits all people.
The semiquincentennial invites us to celebrate our nation’s history and how far we've come. I hope it also inspires us to renew our commitment to the work still ahead. Together, we can help ensure that the ideals of freedom and independence are not reserved for some, but are experienced by all. If you would like to join us on this mission, learn more and fill out a volunteer application at: https://www.lifebridgestl.org/volunteer
Karen Schuster, CEO