Churchill Fellowship’s Post

I’ve been in communication with a gentleman who has shared his story with me, asking that I bring his experience to light. As a Disabled American living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), visual impairments, and other significant challenges, he has fought tirelessly for over 20 years to gain access to justice and the services he is entitled to. He has sent numerous letters to government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, highlighting the barriers faced by those with disabilities, particularly neurodiverse individuals. His experiences have driven him to advocate for change, inspiring legislative efforts like HB 4462 and HB 3491 to address the gaps in legal and medical services for people with disabilities. Despite these efforts, his access to justice continues to be denied, and his daily life remains a constant struggle for basic services, protection, and dignity. His case brings to light the ongoing neglect of disabled individuals in our society and the need for serious reform. I’m sharing his story to see if there is anyone willing or able to assist him in some way—whether through legal support, advocacy, or simply helping his voice be heard in the right places. If you or someone you know might be able to offer support, please reach out and I will connect you both. This is more than just one man's story—it's a call to action for all of us to stand up for justice and equity for us in disabled community and one many of us know all too well. #DeafCommunity #DeafCulture #SignLanguage #Accessibility #Inclusion #Mindset #Enablement #Empowerment #Diversity #InclusiveWorkplace #DeafAwareness

🌟Bulletin Piece of the Week🌟 ❗ Fighting against systemic ableism isn't easy, but The Arc of the United States is working hard to create a criminal justice system that is tolerant, accepting, and anti-biased. Find out more about the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability and its community-based Pathways to Justice training program in Issue 10 of the Bulletin: "Creating Pathways to Justice for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Addressing Bias, Ensuring Accommodations, and Prioritizing Lived Experience" By Leigh Anne McKingsley and Josh Branch 🔖 Read it here: https://lnkd.in/e8Mt59gh The program brings together people with disabilities, police, attorneys, and other professionals and community members to raise awareness, share lived experiences, and build connections and understanding. #BulletinPieceOfTheWeek #EndAbleism #CriminalJusticeReform #DisabilityRights #PathwaysToJustice #InclusionMatters #TheArc #CommunityTraining #JusticeForAll #IntellectualDisabilities #DevelopmentalDisabilities #BiasAwareness #LivedExperience #InclusiveCommunity #DisabilityAwareness #NLC

Explore the power of art for movement building, and the role writing, performance, and language plays in disability justice. → Art Activism and Language Justice in Disabled Communities https://lnkd.in/eNzpWGjE

Today, we celebrated our second plenary session at #AMCHP2024, which focused on Black Maternal Health through the lenses of disability and CYSHCN, Family Leadership, and community engagement. We heard from family and community leaders who #PartnerWithPurpose to address the dynamic #MCH needs of Black families. Natasha Bonhomme, Founder of Expecting Health and Director of Baby’s First Test, shared how her organization incorporates disability justice into their work. How do you incorporate disability justice into your work? Let us know in the comments section!

CREATING EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES Empowering intellectually disabled individuals to advocate for themselves is a powerful way to promote their rights and inclusion. This means facilitating the creation of groups where intellectually disabled people can come together, share their experiences, and advocate for their rights. It follows that providing training in leadership, public speaking, and confidence building is important. Learn more: www.sunfieldhome.co.za #EmpowerIntellectualDisabilities #InclusionMatters #SelfAdvocacy #LeadershipTraining #PublicSpeakingSkills #ConfidenceBuilding #CommunitySupport #RightsForAll

Today is a very important day for all adults with intellectual disabilities in the state of Massachusetts.  Whether you are a person with a disability – a family member or friend - or advocate or other staff sharing your experiences or an organizational representative, your story can advance self-direction. At 1pm today there is a public hearing to consider proposed regulations for Self Determination and Self-Directed Services. The Boston Globe recently published a fantastic op-ed regarding the impact of the Real Lives law on adults with intellectual disabilities. Read the op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/eYc5dn9D Read the Worcester Telegram article profiling Post-22 and the impact Real Lives law implementation might have on programs like it. https://lnkd.in/eSf_8iAp

🌟 Join us on June 17th for the International Conference on Equal Access to Justice for Persons with Intellectual and Psychosocial Disabilities! 🌟 A special session dedicated to the recognition of barriers to equal participation of suspects/defendants with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities will be held during the event. With the help of our speakers, we will answer essential questions such as: What process should be in place to enable criminal justice professionals to adjust proceedings for defendants with disabilities? At what point in criminal proceedings are professionals required to identify the need for accommodations? What mechanisms are currently showing promising results on this matter? Click here to follow the event online: https://lnkd.in/eFnzxMwF Click here to see the full agenda of the event: https://urlr.me/Yn16J #Inclusion #ProceduralRights #LawReform #CivilSociety #LegalProfessionals #DisabilityRights #ENABLE 

Thomas E. Kennedy, III, Of Counsel, brings half a century of expertise to fighting injustice and advocating for the rights of the marginalized. His commitment to improving systems that serve the poor and disabled is proven by his zealous advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities, foster children, and underrepresented employees in the workplace. Our attorneys are knowledgeable and experienced in various of areas of the law. Our simple questionnaires help expedite the process of bringing us all up to speed concerning your situation and needs: https://lnkd.in/gbkk7h35 #DisabilityLaw #EmploymentLaw #EducationLaw

Last week Thursday I had the privilege of discussing a deeply important issue on Sky News – the ethnic disparities facing Black children in care. In the interview, I shared insights on the systemic challenges that Black children often face in the fostering and adoption system. I explored how unconscious bias and institutionalised racism lead to Black children being disproportionately left without placements/homes. These systemic issues contribute to poor education and health outcomes, as well as an increased risk of criminalisation. It's deeply concerning that these children, already facing trauma and instability, are further disadvantaged by a system that fails to provide culturally sensitive assessments and support. The time to act is now. We must push for greater awareness, increased diversity in foster care recruitment, and policy reforms that ensure every child, regardless of their background, feels understood, supported, and truly cared for. Thank you to Sky News for bringing attention to this critical issue. #Fostering #ChildWelfare #UnconsciousBias #InstitutionalRacism #BlackChildrenInCare #SkyNews #Equality #SocialJustice