The Human Development Institute‘s Kentucky Inclusive Health Collaborative with the Kentucky Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities hosted a Kentucky Inclusive Health Summit on December 1, 2021. This virtual event was a celebratory culmination of Project CHEER. Over the past five years, CHEER educated, empowered, and established partnerships dedicated to addressing the significant health disparities experienced by individuals with disabilities. The Summit welcomed over 100 registrants to learn about project successes and connect with local, state, and national partners committed to inclusive health. The below graphics capture highlights and key themes from the event.
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Importance of creating accessible and inclusive community resources
Strong grassroots efforts exist, and community collaboration is high
Education
Collaboration with local Community Colleges can increase community advocacy
Important to educate those outside Perry County on access barriers for services and programs
Inclusion of local disability advocates is key to education and access
Access to Health Services
Limited options for specialty services within Perry County
Strong local efforts exist to combat food insecurity
Digital health services are great to bridge gap in health service connection, but accessibility is limited
Work to further connect the rural community to existing resources, such as Perry County Extension Office, to help fill identified gaps in access through grassroots partnerships
Continue efforts to make digital resources and programs accessible
Educate those outside of Perry County on access barriers and support them to offer services in other ways to those without internet or transportation access
This publication was supported by the Grant or Cooperative Agreement Number, DD000010, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Focus on what a person can do rather than what they “cannot” do
Ask questions to engage and educate
Do not assume
“view that being accessible is burdensome”
Community Access
Concerns about transportation, accessible spaces, and available resources
“…many inclusive opportunities in Warren County through arts, sports and recreation, accessible parks, and connecting through social media…but not everyone knows they exist”
Diverse Representation
Targeted conversations and outreach with diverse and inclusive populations
“Include people with disabilities in decision making for the community
“Nothing about us without us”
Important to engage youth in critical conversations
“Equitable service provisions: Providing what is needed to the individual based on what they need and not on a equal service where we give cookie cutter responses to need requests”
“Everyone has the same opportunities, is treated fairly, and can participate in their community without discrimination.”
“Being able to access the same facilities and opportunities without having to ask for accommodations.”
“Access to and full participation in the arts.”
Create a regional resource manual to increase awareness of existing disability and inclusive health resources
Facilitate disability awareness trainings
Develop a Warren County Inclusion Committee with diverse community and organizational representation
Action Items Already in Motion
The PossAbilities Expo celebrates people with disabilities and the resources in the local community. The goals of this event are to provide information, inspire hope, and empower families by connecting them to resources. The expo has a yearly event and a printed resource guide. Organizations with resources should sign up to participate! Learn more and help recruit for the event at: https://www.possabilitiesexpo.org/.
The Center for Accessible Living – Bowling Green offers disability etiquette training to organizations and their employees to bring awareness to the appropriate way to connect with an individual living with a disability.
1830 Destiny Lane, Suite 108 Bowling Green, KY 42104
This publication was supported by the Grant or Cooperative Agreement Number, DD000010, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
