Over
the past four decades, U.S. society has afforded greater opportunity
for people with disabilities to work, gain independence and generally
improve their lives.
What still follows — one could say lags — is
greater understanding of people with disabilities. Stereotypes do
remain.
But through all of this there is cause to
celebrate a local organization that has dedicated itself, since 1967,
to serving people with disabilities or other challenges to employment.
The Columbia Gorge Center will celebrate its
40th year at its annual anniversary dinner, Thursday at the Gorge Room
of the Hood River Inn. (Details on page A7.)
The center is a private nonprofit organization
that provides residential and vocational opportunities throughout the
Mid Columbia.
Clients of the center know they can strive for
something greater than what was once believed possible. Attending this
week’s dinner is one way to find out about the positive ways the
center and its services.
It is also a way to meet clients of the
center. Disability advocacy groups provide some practical, and
enlightening, tips for interacting with people with disabilities:
Look at them, and talk directly to them
instead of talking about them to parents or helpers who might be with
them; ask questions of the person with a disability, and not of her
companions.
Make no assumptions about what they know or
mean. Draw people out, ask questions, or have them show you.
Talk with them, which might involve some
adjustment of the words you use, but respect their individuality,
experience, and age.
With these insights in mind, the individual
can feel the respect they deserve as members of the community.
