How Would You _____ With A Disability, Asks Signs Appearing in Downtown Harrisburg
(Camp Hill, Pa.) – Signs began appearing in businesses in downtown Harrisburg today, asking these questions:
* How would you cross the street if you were blind?
* How would you talk to the librarian if you were deaf?
* How would you enter the building if you used a wheelchair?
These are just a few of the questions posed by the Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP) in a public awareness campaign designed to make people think about living with a disability. The Center for Independent Living of Central PA is a 20 year-old non-profit organization, which is made up of and serves people with all types of disabilities. As the public frequents restaurants and other businesses in downtown Harrisburg from October 20 – 26, they will quickly question what it would be like to have a disability.
Part of the Center for Independent Living of Central PA’s role as an organization is to not only educate the individuals and families they serve, but also people without disabilities. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the organization wants people to grasp for a moment what life would be like if you became disabled. From ordering food at a restaurant, walking up the steps to the Capitol Building, to crossing the street – how would you do this if you were blind, deaf, or in a wheelchair?
“We want people to understand that anyone at any given time can become disabled. It could happen to you on your way home from work tonight. It will happen to most of us in some way as part of the aging process. When people are faced with a new disability, questions often arise: Where do I go? Who can help me? What do I do now? We want people to know that our organization can assist individuals in finding housing, transportation options, employment – no request is too small or too large. If you have a disability or become disabled – it is not a time to give up; instead it is a time to think about how you can live well with a disability,” stated Theo Braddy, Executive Director of CILCP.
Patrons at some area restaurants were also given Braille cards with the message, “Giving you a Braille menu is like giving a person who is blind your printed menu.” The goal is to make people stop in their tracks to feel, see and think about what it would be like to have a disability.
For the past 20 years, the organization has provided services to individuals with all types of disabilities, families of people with disabilities, and businesses in the community. Through the years, CILCP has assisted with housing modifications; moved individuals out of nursing homes and into their own home; created a new fully-accessible fitness center; and educated businesses and community leaders through workshops – just to name a few of their many accomplishments.
Area businesses participating in the awareness campaign include: Molly Brannigans, Scott’s Grille, M&T Bank, Art Association of Harrisburg, Cobalt Hair Salon, Mid Penn Bank, Sovereign Bank, 2nd Street Pizza, Hilton Harrisburg Hotel & Towers, Palumbo’s Pizza, Wachovia Bank, Hornung’s True Value Hardware, Spice, Neato Burrito, Stock’s on 2nd, and the Harrisburg Downtown Library.
About CILCP
The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania is a nonprofit, nonresidential organization established for and by people with disabilities and serves Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin and Juniata counties. CILCP’s vision is to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society.
For more information on the CILCP visit www.cilcp.org, and for more information regarding the press release, please contact Megan Kurtz (Megan@TheSuasionWay.com) or 717.432.2468.
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Distributed: October 21, 2008