GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — July is Disability Pride month; and has been recognized as such since 1990 as an opportunity to advocate and be an ally for those with disabilities.
A Green Bay organization making a difference for people with disabilities is the CP Center. The CP Center opened its doors in 1954 to serve clients with cerebral palsy. However, over the years their services, as well as who they serve, has expanded to include people with autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida, brain injuries, and more. The core of what they do revolves around around therapy and life-skills services for people of all ages.
“Our call for Disability Pride month is just to keep spreading the message that we spread all year long; that having a disability doesn’t limit anybody on what they can do, they just might have to do it differently.” said Kristen Paquet, Director of Donor Engagement and Marketing at the CP Center.
This month, they’re creating videos with their clients to be shared on social media; where the client is able to share what they want people to know about them, or what they want the public to know about people with disabilities.
“You’re hearing it right from the person of how they want to be treated and how they want to be talked to, or ‘here’s some things you can do to start up a conversation with me,’” said Paquet.
Additionally, Paquet is working with a group of clients at the CP Center to come up with a disability awareness/etiquette presentation that will be shared with community businesses and service groups in the fall.
To learn more about Disability Pride month, and the CP Center, click here.
