I can't believe her time is almost done in DC. As I look back on the summer and meditate on the purpose of being here through AAPD I often find myself thinking about those with disabilities currently living in the DC area without support.
Yesterday I was on the bus and a lady sat in front of me. She was deaf and homeless. As people got on the bus I observed how they treated her and was very appalled. Many would yell at her thinking that speaking louder would help her understand them while others ignored hers and she did not exist. She was asking people for money as they walked by, but those who knew she would deaf pretended they didn't understand what her signals meant. I became outraged at the thought that we are in our nations capital and people are without the basic needs and necessities to live a fully successful life.
A large portion of the homeless community are those with disabilities. How are we reaching them? Howe reaching the "Resourceless" portion of our community? Allowing the homeless with disabilities to continue living without the basic resources not only increases the stereotypes spread throughout society but it is very bad reflection upon the compassion of our community within itself. How can we call ourselves advocates for those with disabilities when the majority of our constituency is homeless and without the very basic needs to be successful?
Give me you thoughts and share your ideas.
Best,
Shawn
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