In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring March as National Disability Awareness Month. This national recognition is a time to celebrate individuals with disabilities, ensure their rights, and advocate for their full participation in our communities.
In a quickly changing federal landscape, it is essential that we all be a voice for individuals with disabilities, and to encourage them to make their own voices heard. VGS has been serving the disability community for 135 years and we firmly believe that individuals with disabilities deserve to be employed, to be independent, and to be accepted in all our public spaces.
As the President & CEO of VGS, I witness, daily, the incredible contributions of individuals with disabilities. I also see how their participation in our communities – whether it be in our buildings; in competitive or supported workplaces; or community outings to our public spaces, benefits us all. I have watched countless individuals come to our programming unsure of their purpose and unfamiliar with being fully accepted, develop into leaders, establish a circle of friends, build bonds with coworkers, and become advocates for themselves – and for all people with disabilities.
I encourage you to take a moment to not only recognize National Disability Awareness Month, but to consider that awareness is just a first step – action needs to follow.
