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Advocacy for Independence


July 2024


Happy Disability Pride Month! Since July 1990, we have witnessed the growth of Disability Pride from a single day to a month-long celebration. We take joy in our identities, culture, and community contributions. At the same time, we also honor the distance we still must go to achieve liberation and equity across the board for people with disabilities.

The Disability Pride Flag Raised Outside of Cincinnati City Hall (2024)



The City of Cincinnati raised the Disability Pride Flag for the first time on July 1, 2024. Local government leaders and members of the disability community spoke about the importance of this moment in the on-going efforts to make Cincinnati accessible and welcoming to everyone.


“Why do we need Disability Pride? Why is it important for people of all ages to feel pride? Many disabled people, including young people, are exposed on a regular basis to ableism. Ableism is present throughout society, and can take the form of condescending, rude, or abusive attitudes towards people with disabilities, leading to lack of accessible and inclusive services and communities.” (National Council on Independent Living)


Email the author with a paragraph about what Disability Pride means to you and your answer might be featured in August’s Advocate for Independence


Further Resources:

A Community Reflection on Disability Pride Month

Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Uplifting BIPOC Queer Creatives in the Disability Community

Disability Pride Cincy


Independence Alliance Advocacy Updates


Disability Pride Event: Nothing About Us Without Us


Where? Deer Park Branch Library 4020 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236

When? Saturday, July 27, 12:00-4:00PM


Join the Cincinnati Public Library and Independence Alliance for a day of education, celebration, and community. We will have community resource tables, self-advocacy training, small break-out sessions, and an open-mic opportunity. Art Beyond Boundaries, an Independence Alliance program, will be displaying art pieces event space.



Accessibility is our top priority. Contact Dee Henry by email or by phone at 513-241-8046 to request an accommodation.


Event accessibility includes:

  • This is a wheelchair-accessible location with an accessible parking lot.
  • This is a fragrance-free event space.
  • There will be seating provided including chairs with no arms on the side.
  • American Sign Language interpreters will be present throughout the duration of the event.
  • Sensory refresh rooms will be available.
  • Plastic drinking straws will be available.


View this event on Disability Pride Cincy’s website.

 

Town Hall Legislative Forum on Disability Issues


Where? Walnut Hills Branch Library 2533 Kemper Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45206

When? Wednesday, July 24, 1:00-3:00PM


Join Independence Alliance and Disability Rights Ohio for a round table discussion about disability-related issues in Southwest Ohio. This is an opportunity to engage in dialogue with local elected officials on these topics. This town hall is part of a statewide series bringing attention to these important issues during Disability Pride Month.

Register to attend here.


Accessibility is our top priority. Contact Brittanie Maddox with any questions. Event accessibility includes:

  • This is a wheelchair-accessible location.
  • There will be seating provided including chairs with no arms on the side.
  • American Sign Language interpreters will be present throughout the duration of the event.
  • C-Print captioning will be provided.
  • This event is hybrid, and a link can be requested when registering.

Disability Q*mmunity


The Disability Q*mmunity is a peer support and self-advocacy group for 2SLGBTQIA+ people with disabilities to talk about shared experiences and take action to make our communities safer and more accessible for us. People of all identities are welcome at the Disability Q*mmunity.


Do you have questions about accessing local resources? Do you need to share about what you are going through?  Do you have an idea for an advocacy project?


Our next meeting will take place on August 13th at 6:00PM. Contact Dee Henry with any questions.

Local Advocacy News


Subminimum Wage for People with Disabilities is Being Reconsidered


Ohio has proposed ending the practice of allowing employers to legally pay people with disabilities lower wages than the state minimum wage. This practice was established through Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and over 45 organizations across the state use this program. In 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office discovered that around half of employees with disabilities in the 14(c) program are paid less than $3.50 per hour, with only 14% earning at or above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Ohio House Bill 716 would phase out the 14(c) subminimum wage program for people with disabilities over the next five years.


Disability rights advocates such as Independence Alliance, Disability Rights Ohio, and the Association of People Supporting Employment First (ASPE) support phasing out subminimum wage for employees with disabilities in Ohio. If you would like House Bill 716 to become reality, use this link to find the names and contact information of your representatives and share your support!

 

Disability Pride Month in Cincinnati


Self-advocates and service professionals in Cincinnati have launched a website to spread awareness about Disability Pride and to share local events with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility. You can also submit your inclusive community event to be featured there.


“Disability is a natural part of the human experience, touching the lives of most of us directly or through a loved one at some point in our lifetimes...Disability Pride Month, observed in July, serves as an opportunity to honor the culture, resilience, achievements, and experiences of the disability community.” (Disability Pride Cincy)

Disclaimer: The information and links provided in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff, management, and Board of Directors of Independence Alliance.

If you require this publication in an alternative format,

please contact us.

To learn more about Independent Living and other services provided by CILO, visit our website at www.independencealliance.org

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