BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — On Tuesday, Gov. Kay Ivey attended the first annual Governor’s Disability Policy Summit with agencies and advocates from Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham.
During the question and answer session, participants spoke about important issues facing Alabama people with disabilities, such as finding reliable transportation and employment. These recommendations will be presented to the Legislature.
“My goal is to produce a first-class workforce,” said Governor Ivey, “one in which the unique skills of each individual are recognized and utilized to their fullest potential.”
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Many of the summit attendees spoke about how living with a disability in Alabama impacts their daily lives.
“I’m sure I’m not the only person with a disability who has had to prove my abilities before gaining paid employment,” says Naquisha Adams of Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology (APTAT). “Thankfully, I was comfortable proving that I was a hard worker.”
Karon Block is an amputee advocate, and she said in addition to employment, insurance fairness for amputees is also important.
“For example, in Alabama, prosthetic limbs and the like are not medically necessary,” Block says, “so if you break your prosthetic, it can take up to three months to repair.”
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“People need to understand that our needs are not unique. Our needs are the same as everyone else’s,” said Sandy Hanebrink, executive director of Touch the Future. “We need affordable housing, efficient transportation, access to education, jobs and recreation.”
John Kemp is CEO of the Lakeshore Foundation. He said that when it comes to finding work, people with disabilities work twice as much as people without disabilities.
“Work has always been a very important priority for me,” Kemp said, “as well as financial freedom, the ability to do things my own way and be recognized for the talents I bring to the table.”
Activist Christopher Alvarez said people should view other people with disabilities based on their abilities.