In San Antonio, the disabled community is very unified and willing to assist families and individuals in obtaining services. Agencies, families, and community stakeholders work hard to promote an environment of access and inclusion. Many organizations pool their resources to further the disability rights movement, on a legislative level, by retaining political lobbyist to focus on a defined yearly agenda. On a local level, agencies that are disability specific, such as the Down-syndrome Association or the Autism Treatment Center, provide focused disability services to meet the needs of that particular population. However, each center works in partnership with agencies and individuals who have differing diagnoses so that anyone with disabilities can be referred to an appropriate agency. One thing that stood out to me when interviewing “I” about his community, was the incredible smile that came across his face when he spoke about successfully completing the rank of Eagle Scout after 8 years of work. “I” said he wanted everyone to know that his disability did not stop him from doing everything the scouts required. “I” received incredible support from the Boy Scouts of America, who launched a program to extend the age for individuals with disabilities to 21. This accommodation allows individuals extra time to achieve the highly regarded rank of Eagle Scout. San Antonio is one of the few areas in which special needs scouts can be a part of a troop that has trained leaders who specialize in mentoring disabled individuals. As social workers, we must continue to advocate for self determination when dealing with clients who are disabled. By practicing from a strengths based perspective, encouraging person first language, and practicing trauma informed care, we can continue to uplift and support individuals with disabilities.
