Oakland Comes Together to Celebrate National Disabilities Awareness Month

By Melissa Kiel
Disability Awareness Month

March is National Disabilities Awareness Month. We began recognizing March as National Disabilities Awareness Month in the year of 1987 under the term of President Ronald Reagan when he officially declared Proclamation 5613. The purpose of the proclamation was to provide understanding, support and opportunities to help those living with a disability lead fruitful and fulfilling lives. This month is an opportunity to raise awareness on the rights of those living with a disability and to celebrate their contribution to our communities as well as our society.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 Americans live with a disability. The spectrum of disabilities is wide and the impact on one’s life varies greatly. Living with a disability can be incredibly challenging for some depending on the nature of the disability, the support systems available and the ability to cope with the challenges presented. Some disabilities are immediately apparent while others are invisible. Some individuals are born with disabilities and for them, living with a disability is the existence they know. Others can develop disabilities over time or acquire disabilities through sudden onset which can lead to a range of unsettling fears and emotions.

Living with a disability can force one to learn new skills, strategies and relearn the simple things many take for granted. Just leaving home can pose challenges that require pre-planning and having back up plans for unexpected barriers. Odds are when one lives with a disability, they regularly encounter a number of challenges. Subsequently, adaptability and patience are traits unavoidably learned. Despite the obstacles, those with disabilities have found ways to thrive and survive often with a willingness to learn how to do things differently.

Support systems can be vital. Spending time with family and friends or even joining a local or online support group for others in similar situations can help one stay positive and hopeful if they are struggling. Finding ways to have fun, developing hobbies, learning methods to exercise, volunteer, work and travel are among many ways to feel empowered.

In Oakland there are a variety of entities that exist to help those with disabilities.

The Access for All Committee was established to provide advice to the Mayor and Council on the concerns of disabled persons, barrier-free facilities, and compliance with the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The committee members serve as advocates in Oakland to help enhance the quality of life for people with special needs.

Oakland is also home to the CTC Academy, a non-profit organization that provides educational and therapeutic services for students with a diverse array of developmental disabilities.

The American Legion in Oakland is a not-for-profit charitable organization whose donations go to support disabled veterans and their families.

The Oakland Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today's veterans, and improve their quality of life.

The Oakland public school district has a pre-school handicapped program for children between the ages of three and five years who are experiencing developmental delays that interfere with their learning. For students from kindergarten through eighth grade, resource center programs, language/learning delay classrooms, and classroom assistance are available to provide students with specialized instruction.

How can you help those with disabilities? Donate to a favorite charity, get involved with volunteering, reach out and offer support when the need arises.  We have a commitment to our fellow humans to be the change that makes a difference. By raising awareness, becoming educated and respecting an individual’s differences, we can remove the stigma of disability and see the person, not the disability.

Melissa Kiel is a Correspondent of the Oakland Borough Newsletter.