Community Integration for Adults with Disabilities in Greater Cincinnati
We all want friendship, meaning and a healthy dose of laughter in our lives. For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, though, chances to connect in the community can be hard to come by. The barriers often center on the availability of accessible integration. According to the CDC, this can be due to communication, social, physical and transportation obstacles, as well as societal attitudes.
Our Community Integration programs are designed to give adults with disabilities the same opportunities to take part in our community as any other adult. Participants explore activities that align with their interests and abilities across Creative Arts, Work & Job Readiness, and community outings in and around Greater Cincinnati.
The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) describes social isolation as a serious public health issue with measurable effects on physical and mental well-being, and people with disabilities face a higher risk of it year-round. Community integration works against that, increasing independence and self-esteem, improving social skills and building relationships, and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. With more than one in four U.S. adults living with a disability, those benefits matter not only to the disability community, but to public health as a whole.
“Community Integration is baked into all of KAA’s programs, and in particular to our evenings and weekend activities. In our annual survey and in general, we often hear from family members how participants are in better moods, have made friends, and gained confidence by experiencing things that go beyond what folks are able to do at home.”
— Alexandra Wilson, Director of Programs and Operations
Evenings and Weekends
In Greater Cincinnati, there are few opportunities for adults with disabilities to get out beyond the traditional 9 to 5. To fill this gap, our team at Ken Anderson Alliance offers two unique evening and weekend programs.
KAA Out & About
KAA Out & About is a social and recreational program offering excursions for adults 18 and up, in groups large and small, exploring what the community has to offer. This may include movies, shopping, dining out, bowling, concerts, sporting events, museums and more.
KAA Night Out
KAA Night Out is a unique small-group opportunity for four individuals to plan their weekly “night out” activity. Each foursome meets weekly at a dedicated time and day, creating a forum for decision making, relationship building, growing confidence and consistent fun.
During the Day
In addition to the evening and weekend programs, we facilitate many daytime community integration opportunities. Participants in our day program have options to take excursions throughout the week. Frequent requests include museums like the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Cincinnati Zoo, many Cincinnati Public Library branches, Cincinnati Parks and several local retailers.
Our art and music programs have expanded to include more opportunities to perform in the community. We’ve been welcomed to perform by the Cincinnati Pops at Music Hall, the Flying Pig PigAbilities race, Fretboard Brewing and local galleries.
Through Work
Our Work & Job Readiness programs build community integration into their work as well, serving the needs of the disability community.
Driving for Change
An ongoing volunteer program where participants offer their skills and talents to local nonprofits to help them achieve their goals.
Explore
A 12-month internship program that gives four participants first-hand experience in different industries, polishing their hard and soft skills.
Everyone Belongs Here
Friendship, meaning and laughter shouldn’t depend on whether the world was built with you in mind. Every outing — a Cyclones game, a movie on a Friday night, an afternoon at the zoo — is a chance for adults with disabilities to take part in the community they’re already part of. That’s the whole point.
Want to get involved, or learn whether one of our programs is a fit?
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disability Barriers to Inclusion. cdc.gov/disability-inclusion/barriers
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disability Impacts All of Us. cdc.gov/disability-and-health
National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability. Combating Social Isolation for People with Disabilities. nchpad.org