Disability Resource Network
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About
Disability Resource Network is located in Huntsville, Alabama to provide services to residents of 13 North Alabama Counties - Colbert, Cullman, Dekalb, Franklin, Jackson, Limestone, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Information and referral service is available to all callers, regardless of residence.
Disability Resource Network is a 501(c)(3) organization. We receive funding from the Alabama Department of Senior Services and donations. Donations are tax deductible.
Our Mission
Disability Resource Network’s mission is to promote independence to people with disabilities through advocacy, public education, and consumer controlled independent living services. We encourage people with disabilities to support one another in reaching their own independent living goals. We also promote equal access and disability rights through advocacy and public awareness activities.
Our Philosophy
Independent living is based upon peer relationships and principles of integration, consumer control, cross-disability and equal access. All Disability Resource Network services are community-based and non-residential in nature.
We believe advocacy is at the core of independent living, so we work to promote equal access within the Center and in the community.
A majority of staff and board members are people with disabilities. Consumers, not professionals, set their own independent living goals. Consumers are offered the option of developing an independent living plan, but they may elect to waive such a plan and just receive services.
A majority of our board and staff and staff members are people with disabilities.
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Disability Resource Network.m4a - powered by Happy Scribe
Hey, everybody, it's Gustavo, the host of the Enabled Disabled podcast. I am really excited to have the Disability Resource Network team with us today. They are a center for independent living in Huntsville, Alabama. They are doing some trials, tremendous work helping people who live with a disability train them in independent living skills. We're going to talk about assistive technology, accessibility and mental health. And I am just super excited to have another center for independent living on the show. Welcome a brief description of myself. I am a middle aged Latin American male. I have Brown hair comb to the front. I'm wearing a dark blue Polo shirt and I am in my living room with some blinds and drapes in the background. So, Davina Patterson, why don't you get us started? Can you tell us just describe yourself a little bit and we'll go around to everybody.
Absolutely. So I'm an African American female, black hair, mid-length curls on the end. My background is our Disability Resource Network logo is white with Orange, blue and purple tones. Middle aged female and red lipstick.
Perfect.
My signature.
Deshon, can you go next?
Yeah. My name is Deshon Washington. I'm peer advocate with Disability Resource Network and a young adult male in his 20s have short black hair. And I also have the Disability Resource Network banner in the back, which is blue, Orange, purple and white.
Perfect.
Katie Toro with Disability Resource Network. I'm a peer advocate. I am a white female, middle aged, with brownish salt and pepper hair with a blue and white flowery blouse and a gold choker with some literal white rhinestones on. Perfect.
All right. Awesome. So I'd like to get started and learn a little bit more about each of you and what brought you into Disability Resource Network, some of your background. Why don't we start with Sean? Tell us a little bit about obviously you're younger than the young buck here. And I know on the website it says that you did an internship at NASA. But tell us a little bit about what you studied in College and how you got involved with DRN.
Okay. I went to College, went to the University of Alabama AMM in Huntsville. And I was there. I studied business management and I changed my major to logistics and supply chain and did that, graduated with a degree in that and was looking for a job. And when I was looking for a job, it happened. I had no luck finding a job. And I was talking to people and found out that this Resource Network had a job opening and luckily just fell in my lap. And the Vena asked me if I wanted to start part time. I said yes. And when I started part time, she asked me again, saying that a full time position was opening. And I went ahead and took it and I've been there.
I've been here ever since, what, 2020?
Yes, since 2020. Perfect.
Alright, Davina, what did you see in Deshawn when you interviewed him that sparked an interest that you wanted to give him the opportunity?
It was during the Pandemic, so I interviewed all the candidates, and it was by Zoom on Zoom platform. So it was a lot of the things that he said. We're a new center. And I knew that it was going to take a certain type of person to have certain characteristics and qualities. And I felt that Deshawn had that for a new center that we were trying to establish in the community, a lot of service area that we cover building from the ground up. It's a certain type of person I was looking for, and I felt that he met those standards. One of the things he seemed like a very positive person. I love the fact that our center here is new. So I felt that by him being young that he would have a connection with the youth or he could bring a different perspective, a younger perspective to the organization. That was one of the things. He also said a lot of things in his interviews that made me know that he was very determined, prompt on time and that he was doing remote work. When you're looking for people, you want people that you don't have to supervise as much because you're working in your home.
So you need selfdirected people. You don't really need people that you have to micromanage a lot and you have to keep tabs on a lot, or that would be a very difficult that type of setting would be very difficult to manage. So he seemed like he was self directed, didn't require a lot of just oversight. And I like that determination, the transparency, the persistence. When I invited him to certain programs and certain events, it was virtual. He was there. And so that means that he had an interest in the organization. That's what that showed me. And like I said, he's very positive, easy to work with, easy to talk to, easy to get along with, and not a person that seemed like that they would kind of challenge leadership. You want a bold person that's going to challenge, but not someone that would kind of be just a challenging employee. And I really had a very great vibe, and I saw those things in him. He answered the questions perfectly. He had the background, the experience, and he definitely had to drive. So that's what I saw in Deshawn that made me want to just bring him alone.
There you go. Now you have it in a recording, Deshawn. You know what you point to when you're up for promotion or new opportunity. You know exactly what to say. Just bring up the recording. Katie, can you tell us a little bit about your background and what brought you into DRN?
Sure. Like we're talking of line. I grew up down in Miami, Florida. I've been disabled my whole life, so I've been around disabilities of all sorts my entire life. I actually started in College as a graphic design major, and I changed my major six times before. In the end, I got my associates in law. I thought about going into law for a little while, and then my bachelor's I got it in behavioral science. So I figured that would give me a range of things I could do if I decided to, because throughout my College career, I did a lot of internships in different areas to see where I would like to work preferably. And it always led back to working with the disabled people. I've always noticed that especially within the younger ages, and people within my age group are drawn to me because I try to lead by example and always have. And so I decided in undergrad, when I was almost done with behavioral science, that I really wanted to steer more towards the disability community and being a better mentor for those coming up in the generation. So I started my Masters in mental health counseling, where in the middle of my Masters, I got physically sick, so I had to drop out.
And I was like, okay, God, this is another turn that you want me to make. So I took a long break, and I actually during the pandemic, I started working at a veterinary emergency hospital as their marketer. So I was going to be helping them with animals, getting them the physical care they need, who had physical medical needs. So I was doing that, and Davina just called me out of the blue one day and asked me if I was interested in a job. And actually I had it on my mind for months. And I was pulled because I enjoyed working with the animals and helping the animals. But my heart was always in helping others with disabilities see their passion and their desires to become independent individuals as they get grown to adulthood, because everybody has that mindset of, I want to be like other people. So when she offered me the job, I got really pulled. And I was like, yes. But in the back of my mind, I had to really think about it. What did I want to do? So I worked for both facilities for a little while and decided to leave the veterinary area because there was a lot on me and to stick with independent living because it's always where my heart has been.
100% was helping others I knew as a teenager, I grew up on the water with Shake a Leg down in Miami, Florida. They teach people with disabilities how to sell. And I was the only instructor who was like, there was somebody with visually impairment who wanted to learn, and I was the counselor who was up for the challenge, and I was able to teach this individual how to sell on their own. And I was like, even then, I knew in the back of my head that's what I needed to do in life was to help others see their potential.
A really powerful story. I'm glad that you joined the team and you're doing what you wanted to do. That's fantastic. Thank you for sharing that. And last but definitely not least, the executive director of DRN. Devina, can you tell us a little bit about what brought you into this space?
Absolutely. I was actively seeking employment. I was working for a federally qualified community health center, and it's a nonprofit. We work with underserved and unserved communities, a lot of Medicaid and uninsured patients. But there were signs to let me know that I needed to be looking for something else because I was looking for advancement and just needed something that was a better fit for me. So I was actively looking for a job, and I ran across the opportunity for the director for center for Independent Living, North Alabama, and by me managing at least three sites. I knew that I could do the job because it said that it would cover 13 counties. So I'm used to working with large territories or multiple locations, and it just seemed like it was a good fit in something related to work that I was already doing because I had been in healthcare for about 15 years, have an undergraduate degree in healthcare management from UAD, worked at a lot of hospitals and clinics. I knew I wanted to stay in health care, but just was looking for an opportunity that was home based here in Huntsville because the job I was working in our home base was in Jackson, Mississippi.
And so that was a little challenging sometimes for me, and it just ran its course that just was looking to move on from that. And like I said, I was looking at nonprofit management, saw this opportunity, interview for the job, got a follow up call back from the executive director. That was my mentor, and they let me know that they wanted to bring me on board, and I'm here. It's been two years now.
Fantastic. Obviously, with health care, you're helping a range of people. But was there, like in joining DRN. Is there something that you've learned about working with people, helping people with the disability that maybe took you by surprise or that you didn't realize before you started?
No, I don't think so. No. I've never really worked the focus. I worked in Ambulatory services, patient access, clinical management operations. We use primary care, so we usually work with just all patients. But this organization is definitely focused on people with disabilities. I've learned more about independent living, more of that approach prior to joining. I really didn't have any knowledge about independent living, Centers for Independent Living or independent living. But working in healthcare, you're going to come across people with disabilities, whether it's chronic illness or mental health or intellectual, developmental, physical disabilities. That is just going to happen. I was used to working with patients, but not necessarily the employees that self identify as people with disabilities. I would say that's a good answer.
So I'm interested to know a little bit more about as we dive into these topics that we wanted to go into. So Deshawn, what is it that you are focused on? A DRN like you're an advocate, peer advocate, but what is it that you're doing on a daily basis? Are you focused in on a certain aspect of helping the people that come to you guys? Yeah.
So I'm peer advocate. So on a daily basis, I'm always doing information, referrals and talking to the consumers over the phone and email and giving them the information they need to make their lives easier. And also I'm helping them with housing life skills just to get them involved in everyday life, even though they do have a disability. It won't stop you from doing regular things in life, being able to do stuff for yourself, even though you don't have to depend on nobody. So we try to do that, working with them one on one and just getting them to be able not to depend on nobody and be able to do things for themselves and get to know other people that's in the same boat that they're in, and that always helps them to motivate, stay motivated.
Does DRN provide that training specifically, or is it both where you're also showing people where they can go to get those additional resources as well? How does it work?
A little bit of both, I guess. I try not to hold their hand, but we give them the information that they can try to do themselves, and we try not to intervene and try to hold their hand the whole time. So we try to get them at least to try themselves. And if they do need some help, we will guide them and help them, but we try to try to do it themselves.
Okay. So let's say if they want to move into a home or an apartment, whatever it is, you can help show them. Okay, these are based on your condition or your disabilities. These are the places that you can go to to help get the modifications that you need for the home. These are the resources that you have to help pay for it, et cetera. That's pretty accurate.
Yes. And then also, if there's stuff that we really don't have a handle on, we do know other organizations that will take away they'll take away what we have told them, and they'll know specifically where to house them and stuff like that. So we do work with other organizations to keep everybody together.
Great. This is a question for everybody. When you're dealing with accessibility in the home, what are the most common issues that you're running into that people need to address?
I know, especially for the ones that are in wheelchairs, it would be the doorways, not wide enough and rims getting on and off the sidewalk or into the apartment itself.
Okay.
For me, it was the main ones I've got where they couldn't reach their stove because the knobs were in the back and they needed them in the front being wheelchair bound. And also the cabinets. They only could use their bottom cabinets because they didn't have the accessible cabinets that are lowered, some for when you're in a wheelchair.
And for me, I see a lot of the restrooms, the countertop not necessarily accessible. Then you have these new homes. A lot of times the restrooms, like the show said, the doorways, they're just real small Jack and geo restrooms. The doorways are small. The knobs, the door knobs not always accessible. We use more like the lever style instead of the round door knobs, grab bars and definitely the ramps.
I think a lot of people also are needing like a rolling shower. Right. So there's also that modification. Do you have home builders that you work with or renovators that you work with that they do good work that you can help connect to the people who need it?
We're actually working with Alabama Department of Mental Health Community Waiver program, where we'll be doing minor home modifications, and we'll receive referrals from Medicaid for people that are eligible to go in and make those modifications in their homes. And we'll have to find a contractor that is knowledgeable about or trained or certified in Ada to go into the home and make those minor home modifications, whatever the patient, the consumer is requesting and are the homes.
And it's been a while since I've been to the Alabama area. I know the homes here in South Florida because of the flooding, everything is elevated. So it's not easy to make the homes fully accessible without ramps. I know that there's a lot of design work going on at universities. And some people, like out in the West Coast, like in Arizona, it's more flat and they don't have to worry about the flooding as much. So it's easier to just do a flat kind of entry where you don't have to show that somebody with a disability lives here because there's a ramp. So it's more blended into the environment where you don't have to make those modifications. Does Alabama, are the homes raised up more, or do you guys have flooding issues?
It all depends because we got, like certain areas here that floods a lot in some areas that stay dry. So a lot of homes you do see a lot of flat homes, but also you do have a lot of crawl space homes and homes. It just depends on the area that you're in.
Okay.
Because here we do get a lot of tornadoes.
Okay. So when you do get those tornadoes, how do you make the basements accessible?
A lot of times they have these like metal shelters, and sometimes they added on to the back of the house, which sometimes you may have to go outside the house to get to. It hasn't really had any. I guess people get to it from their basements. So I guess we haven't really dealt with that yet.
That seems like an interesting opportunity for some home builders and product developers to come up with a solution for that.
It would be ideal.
So, Katie, tell us about what you do on a daily basis.
I pretty much do the same thing. The Sean is just throughout the day, try to meet where my consumers are and work around what works for them. And then like he was saying, I give them the resources and don't hold their hand. I'm not a hold hand person, but I will lead and see if they'll do it themselves. And then sometimes I'll give them a little nudge because I want them to see if they can do it. And if I need to, occasionally I will step in the middle and help out even more. But that rarely ever happens because normally when I give them a little nudge, they actually will do what's suggested.
What does that nudge look like?
It's more of a I think you can do this. And I think next time in the office I'm going to call you back and check on you and see how it's going. And normally, if they've done it by the time I've called back.
Besides the nudge and helping people through it without, like you said, holding their hand too much, where has your background in behavioral science and mental health helped you in working with people?
Oh, gosh, it's helped tremendously because so many people come to us that are at their bottom because they've called so many different places for resources and help things. I can think of one that was on there just felt I could feel just burden on them when I spoke to them. And when I gave them the resource they needed as far as housing and they emailed me to let me know that they got housing. These people wanted to just give up. And so as somebody with a background like I have in behavioral science and mental health, I try to keep that encouragement for them and let them know that I'm not going to leave their side, that we're going to get through it together. And it's not over until we get to a solution. And literally they see that I live by what I say I'm going to do.
That's powerful. It's interesting that you've all mentioned that you're nudging people and helping them and giving the resources, but you don't want to hold their hands through the process. And yet it sounds like you're giving them an incredible amount of emotional support as well in the background or in the foreground, too, because they're seeing somebody who you're not exactly like them, but they're seeing somebody with the disability who's done it. They're seeing somebody who's an example, who's there to help them. That has to give them a lot of encouragement and a lot of support and at least some belief in themselves that they can.
Yeah, because we just try to get them ready for the real world, because even though you do have a disability, you do have some people in the real world when you try to ask people for help, but sometimes they don't want to help you for you being disabled, I'm trying to get into this building. I'm trying to find somebody to ask somebody for help. They want to help me. So you know what I'm going to do now? So we try to get them to when they do be in that situation in the real world, I could do it myself. I can find a way to get a wait somebody to let me in. I can figure the way to do it myself.
Davina, as the director, I'm curious to know you're obviously managing things on a different level, but how do you see your role as a leader of the Disability Resource Network?
Oh, wow. So my role I think I have a lot of it's definitely a big responsibility, but it's nothing that I'm not prepared for or that I haven't been trained for. However, you do have certain challenges that other organizations may not face by being a non profit. A lot of great seek out of those grants and be competitive and provide be a visionary. Be ready to be an advocate and someone that's going to make a change in the community. So that's how I see my role as an executive director, to empower the disability community and to bring it to the forefront, to highlight and spotlight people with disabilities. Centers for Independent Living, to have an inclusive, diverse and equal community that involves everyone, that we want to integrate with all communities and not just be isolated or segregated from other communities or not be a part of society, but to let everybody know that Centers for Independent Living, people with disabilities, independent living. It has a place and it has a role in society, and it's a part of our culture, and it needs to be spotlighted and highlighted, and it needs that same attention as people without disabilities.
I think we spent some time offline. I was born with several physical disabilities, so it's been part of me for my whole life. And I've always identified with so many of the movements, whether it's women's rights, civil rights, etc. But what I hope happens as we move forward is that the conversation can shift to also include disability because we're not hearing enough about that in the media. We're not hearing enough about that pretty much anywhere. And we as a community, we cover all genders, all races, all nationalities. We're a part of that whole part of humanity. And we have so much to offer, so much to contribute, so much to give back. I hope that more people's hearts and minds can change and they can see that, spotlight it and bring it to the forefront?
Absolutely.
When we're talking about assistive technology, what is it that you're seeing as what are the most useful assistive technologies that you're working with? And this is, again, a question for everybody. And what do you think still needs to be developed or made into a product that can really help people Deshawn? Do you want to go first?
I say things to take notes. When I was in school, I had helped for the bulk of rehab, and I had laptop that I brought to class, but they got me with an app. I can't remember what the name was, but you just had a microphone. You just hook up to the USB part of the computer and you just hit record. So whenever the professor was teaching, it will automatically record it and take notes. So that way when you're done and you can go back to the recording and listen to the notes, you wouldn't miss anything because I know there's a lot of people that I know. I heard that because their disability, they couldn't write notes fast enough and like pen and paper, so they couldn't get the information that they need quick enough. So this was a good thing that broke rehab was doing at the time that helped me get through school.
Do you still use it now when you're in a meeting to take notes?
I still have it on my computer. Okay. And it's compatible with iPad and iPhone, so you can use it everywhere you go.
What about you, Katie?
Right now I'm working with somebody who's got a device that speaks for them. So I'm learning how to use the different devices that are technology that's out there for different people because some of it is actually new to me, too. Old school technology where when our note taking was we had to go by a tape recorder and put it on our desk and let the professor, hopefully the professor picked it up, their voices picked up on my tape. So a lot of the technology is newer for me. So it's been a learning experience. And I'm all about learning and reading about different things, so I've enjoyed it. There's ones that I didn't even know were out there. There's different things to help people learn how to brush their hair or dress themselves. This is blowing my mind, the different things that are out there now. So it's been a learning experience for me. So that's how it is for me because it's all new.
So maybe let me ask the question in a different way, but I want to let you answer first. Is there any assistive technology that you found is helping a lot of people?
Yeah, actually, I met with a couple of organizations that they're trying to work with, our center. And some things I've spoke to them about is making our office space. I know we're working remotely, but at some point we're going to be back in office. So making our office space more accessible for people with disabilities, since we do have staff members, board members, and our consumers have disabilities. So we want to be accommodating for them. As well as assistive technology in the home, anything from preparing food to certain monitors or communication devices, anything, any of those have been helpful. So that especially when you're talking about someone that's living on their own so they can have those features in case they need to contact someone. And I think we talked about with the phone, there are certain on the telephone, there are certain assistive technologies like for people that are deaf or legally blind, that they can use this.
And then hopefully there's much more technology to come. That's what it's looking. I'm going to reframe that second question to say for every Deshawn, if there was one technology that you could bring to life tomorrow that would help you in your day to day, what would that be?
I'll probably say something that could help you put your shoes on, something like that, because I know a lot of people that are in wheelchairs and stuff. I know a lot of times that is like the real when you try and do it yourself is difficult to get shoes on.
Okay, good answer. So it's something that would it be something like either something robotic or something that could extend your reach that would help you get the shoe on or either or say something robotic. Okay.
So you wouldn't really have to get your hands dirty.
Okay. What about you, Katie?
I was just thinking my hardest thing is like getting my groceries by myself, something to connect to my wheelchair, not only for grocery shopping, but like when I get home to get my groceries in my house because I've noticed that person is getting my groceries and getting them in my house and all, and then a way to get my cats with their carriers to the vet and home because it's a workout right now. So better technology of something to connect to our be able to connect to our wheelchairs to help us when we're needing to carry that extra luggage.
See, that's sparking ideas. That should definitely be something that's out there. There's a lot of wheelchair users in the world that would benefit. Is there something that you can answer there? Is there something that you think and what would make your life easier.
Technology wise, that you would love to have anything to help organize life can be overwhelming, especially when you're active and you're busy. So anything to help me keep organized, calendars are okay. I have a calendar on my phone, calendar and computer. But sometimes it's just difficult when you're busy, you're active and just trying to keep everything together. So anything that would help, that would be assistive technology. I like the robotics I actually have, I guess it's a robot that does the cleaning. You get them from Amazon that does what is it like vacuuming and it's sweeping. It's vacuuming has gotten a little bit advanced. You just press a button and it just does its work. Like back in the day, you have to push the vacuum around. But I can actually be working on something. And then my house is being cleaned at the same time. So that's something that I'm using but would love something to do the laundry dishes as well.
I know that there's a mechanism. I'll introduce you all to the company they're out in San Diego called Uplift, where they basically came out with this really easy to use mechanism that helps people transfer from their wheelchair to their beds and then from their beds to their wheelchairs. And it's super easy to use. It doesn't have electrical parts, so it's super reliable and safe. As another thing that I hear a lot where people to get that independence of, I don't need somebody to come in and help lift or move me from point A to point B would also be huge for a lot of people. We touched a little bit about demeanor. You mentioned that you're looking for a positive energy. And Katie, you said that encouragement, that nudge, that you give people the support. Can we talk a little bit about what are some of the biggest issues that you're seeing around mental health and how are you helping people through that? What resources are available to give people more assistance with getting their lives to a better place? Let's start with Katie.
I'm mostly discouraged when they come to me is I just try to keep my cheery personality, but also let them know that I, too am disabled. Since we're working virtually, they can't see that right now. And just when they start to get negative, try to give them solutions and something positive within their life while I'm giving them the resources and just be that extra encouragement for as long as they need or as much as I don't know if it's something that I feel that's beyond my being a peer advocate, I'll refer them to get the help that they need with counseling if they need that further than what I can give them. Pretty much my job as a peer advocate is to be their peer support. So that's what I try to do. When I come into the office, I put myself to the side and it's all about them.
That's the right way to do it. But easier said than done. How about you, Deshawn?
I tried to tell them same thing with KDC. I have to remind them that I got disability myself, that I'm also in a wheelchair. So I try to at least talk to them and get them at least to do one thing in their life that keeps them happy till we can figure out a solution to get them through with keeping them down. So I always try to get them at least do one thing keeps you going. Like either playing video games, do that, get your mind off of things, and then when we can figure out solution or therapy to help be able to get the help they need.
Was there anything that all of you are positive, cheerful? I can feel a great energy even though we're far away from each other in a virtual Zoom meeting, but I can feel that positivity and that drive in that spark. Is there something that helped you in your journey so far that maybe you were feeling down at some point that lifted you back up that you could share?
Let's say time and patience? Because the person I am today, I wasn't like this when I first found out I had muscular dystrophy. When I first got diagnosed. When I first got in a wheelchair, it hit me pretty hard. Always quiet, didn't want to talk. And when I did talk, I always get frustrated and angry. And I just knew that if I stayed like that, it wasn't going to be beneficial for me. So I had to just go ahead and suck it up and just live life to the fullest. And ever since I did that, it's been taken day by day.
Answer thank you, Katie.
For me mostly, I've always been more of an introvert, so I've internalized a lot of my frustrations and working here helped me become a more positive person and realize that I'm not the only one with whose struggles. And when I have a struggle, I remember now that mine could be so much worse and so it really reversed my mindset of that. Is it just me? No. Everybody within the disabilities community is struggling and somewhere in their life, some more than others. Even when I have a bad day today, like my consumers don't know how much it means when I get that email that says thank you and tells me some great news that's happening in their life or calls my office and tells me something great that's happened for them. And so this job has really turned my mindset around that we all can do this if we do it together.
There's such a great power to being heard, to being seen, to being appreciated that a lot of us don't get too experienced for various reasons, but it's great to see that coming together and that community building. This is the first time I received this kind of great feedback and feeling like I'm hearing people through this podcast. It's given me so many amazing connections. I get to meet amazing people and I get to hear from people that say, right in, this was a great show. I really appreciate this. I appreciate the work that you do and that makes you feel it makes your day, it makes your week, it makes it so much more worthwhile, like you said, to keep going. Devina, I would imagine that you are thrilled and excited and so happy to be working with a team like this that is committed to helping people, and you see the fruits of that labor of the organization must be incredibly rewarding.
Absolutely. Didn't be more proud. Very proud.
In terms of your CIO, what is like next on the agenda? What are the other big milestones that you're all aiming for to help more people?
We're working on housing. That's something that's a big crisis, not just in our area, but just worldwide. The housing crisis, affordable and accessible housing. We just entered into an agreement with a new development that's projected to come to Huntsville in 2023, where we'll be the referral agency for the property. And four to six of those units are set aside for people with disabilities. So we will be referring our consumers to those units to try to help get them into a safe place in an affordable, accessible place. And we're also working with the city of Huntsville, the Huntsville Housing Authority. They have received some emergency housing vouchers will be the referral agency also in searching for affordable housing that will accept the vouchers for people with disabilities and homeless people so that they will have a place to stay. So that's something that's very big for us to be participating in and that we are very grateful to be a part of to assist with this crisis that we're experiencing.
Congratulations. That's awesome. That's a fantastic you're all doing fantastic work. If there is something that you open up the question for everybody, but if there's something that you could talk to somebody who is non disabled, who isn't aware or who hasn't experienced, hasn't hired anybody with a disability, hasn't really interacted with anybody with a disability, what would you like to tell them? What do you wish that they knew about us that could benefit their lives or change their perspective?
We're very hard workers. We like to get stuff done.
I used to say a lot for us is out of sight, out of mind, because society has brought for the disabled community, because there's not much out there out of sight, out of mind. They're at home all the time, so they're stuck. And I just want society to as somebody who works in independent living, now that I understand what independent living is, to be able to see that we're just like them. We just have some things that we need help with just like they do. We're no different. We're all breathing beans.
Yeah. I would say just if you focus more on people's skill set and their competency, then you're going to get a good employee. If you're committed to training someone, I don't think that disability should be a determinant in whether you're going to hire them or not. If they're qualified, they're capable of performing the job and they're competent, then they should have the same opportunities as someone that's non disabled, especially if it's someone that knows how to do the job and can do the job. That should be the focus. It shouldn't matter if they have a disability or not and if they need to be educated or trained on accommodations, reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. We're here. There are so many resources. But whether someone has a disability or not, that shouldn't be the determinant or the qualifier for them to have the job or not really need to focus on their skill set. If they're competent and if they know how to do the job and if they meet those qualifications, if they're qualified, then they should be given the same opportunity.
We're all capable of doing the work just.
You know, for me, because for a little while before I got sick, while I was in grad school, I did try to find a job. And if we have the education behind us, just because you see a wheelchair still gives the opportunity, because if we were able to get that degree, that means we're able to do the job.
And if we're still able to show up and we have in a bad day, it shows that if you have a bad day, we have to put that aside. All the stuff that we have to do to get ourselves ready and we still show then should look at it that way.
Yeah, there's a resilience and there's a determination and there's a power that we have that some people don't, but we do when we want something, and it should be taken note of. I agree it's a little bit. Hopefully this changes. But there's also the other side of it is we shouldn't have to do all of that extra. We shouldn't have to constantly be proving ourselves. We should just be given the opportunity because we're human beings. But at the same time, like Deshawn said, the real world is the real world right now, and we have to deal with that and adapt as well. Is there anything that I have missed in this talk that any of you feel is important to talk about.
To mention to dive into a lot of stuff that we do and a lot of the information that we gave.
Okay, perfect. So how can people connect with you all and work together? How can they find you? How can they reach out?
Check out our website at DRN 25 six.org and have our numbers, our office numbers on there and leave message and email us or fill out the application online.
Are you on Facebook? Twitter, LinkedIn, any other social media platform?
We're on Facebook and Instagram. Facebook is disability resource network. Instagram is at DRN. We're visible. We're out in the community. You can even Google Disability Huntsville, and we're going to be the first ones to pop up.
I hope that I'm really thankful we connected. Devina, you reached out to me. Thank you. I hope to have you all back on the show again. As you're progressing, it'd be interesting to see what happens when you have your office space again and you're meeting in person and you're getting to see people post pandemic. So I would love to have you back on the show and stay in touch but thank you all so much for the generosity, for the time and for the fantastic conversation.
Thank you. Pleasure to be here. We're happy that you have a platform like this and we're just glad to be a part of anything that's progressive and positive and moving forward and providing change. That's what we're here for.
Fantastic. All right. Have a great night. Thanks, everybody. Bye.
Helpful links:
Website: https://www.drn256.org/