COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council, in partnership with the three Centers for Independent Living in South Carolina, Able South Carolina, AccessAbility, and Walton Options, is celebrating July’s Disability Pride Month by showcasing its groundbreaking initiative, Disability Next Door SC.
Positioned as a powerful rebuttal to stereotypes about people with disabilities, Disability Next Door SC aims to challenge misconceptions and foster acceptance and inclusion within communities across South Carolina. People with disabilities developed the campaign with the goal of making the general population of South Carolina more aware of the real lives of the 1 in 3 people living in the state with a disability.
Disability Next Door SC Position Statement:
"We are South Carolinians with disabilities. Disability does not mean a stereotype. We are valuable to our community. We are your neighbors, leaders, mentors, teachers, and business partners. We are change-makers! We are Disability Next Door."
Disability Next Door SC Mission Statement:
Challenging stereotypes about people with disabilities so we are accepted and included in communities throughout South Carolina.
With one in three South Carolinians having a disability, Disability Next Door SC seeks to dispel the myth that people with disabilities are not valuable and active members of the community. People with disabilities hold leadership positions, volunteer their time, and contribute to causes they care about. Disability is not a negative label; it is a part of who we are, and we do not want to be ignored. The initiative proudly declares, "We are your neighbors, and we want you to know that we are people above all else."
Engage with Disability Next Door SC:
- Learn more about Disability Next Door SC on their website: www.disabilitynextdoor.org.
- Connect with the community and join the conversation on the campaign's social media channels: Facebook and Instagram.
- Explore the website and social media platforms for interactive content, photos, and stories of real people with disabilities in South Carolina. Engage to discover new insights about disability directly from disabled individuals.
Disability Next Door SC encourages all South Carolina residents to participate actively, fostering a deeper understanding of disability and promoting a more inclusive society.