If you are an employee of UCP/CLASS, has working for UCP changed the way you treat and think about people with disabilities? If so, in what ways?If you aren't an employee of UCP/CLASS but would like to share your thoughts, please do so!
Phone: (412) 683-7100 - Fax: (412) 683-4160
Toll Free: 1-888-954-2424
TTY: 412-246-2255
E-Mail: info@ucpclass.org
© UCP/CLASS 2011 - Term & Conditions
Web Design & Development by Herrington & Company, LLC.
Re: people with disabilities
To answer my own question, I've worked with individuals with disabilities for over 10 years. However, at UCP, I've been able to see how people with disabilities are an integral part of community. My previous work experience has always been in a segregated setting -- but at UCP Kids, we are helping kids with disabilities and their families become involved in their communites, regardless of their disability. This goal follows UCP Pittsburgh's overall mission of including and empowering people to become active members of society. It's also refreshing to work with such a diverse group of people!
An interesting question
I really like this question because I really like to think of UCP/CLASS has changing everyone's lives in some manner. I know that I came to UCP/CLASS with a great depth of knowledge about developmental disabilities, from my mother's work, and some knowledge of acquired disabilities from a friend in high school. I would say that even with that experience, I continue to learn new things and believe that my attitudes has changed from helping someone with a disability to participating with someone with a disability. I think that it may seem just like a different word selection in writing, but to me it means a lot more. I hope that others have the same sort of experience.
All in the Family
I, like Michelle, was raised in a family where both of my parents have worked for organizations that provided services to people with disabilities. Both of my parents work for UCP/CLASS. I have been volunteering with UCP/CLASS since I was in sixth grade and have been involved ever since! In my previous position as an instructor in the Community Skill Building team, I feel like I have grown with the organization. I have learned so much from the people we serve, as well as different staff members. I think I was the only sixth grader who would lecture her classmates on inclusion! It is amazing to me how UCP/CLASS continues to grow and evolve to serve individuals better. I look at my position on the staff the same way. We are always learning more about the communty and how to make it more inclusive for everyone. I hope that other staff members learn as much from their experiences at UCP/CLASS as I have.
Attitude Change
Last year I switched careers to become an advocate for those with disabilities. I came from a high pressure career in public relations/marketing but after being exposed to reality when I had a child born with a genetic disability, I wanted the world to be a different place. I myself had much learning to do and have come to realize that the general population doesn't have compassion for those with disabilities until they have been touched by disability. This is unfortunate because advocacy can be tough without adding education into the mix. I have become more tolerant of others' differences and find myself offering more compassion in the world at large. People living with disabilities are part of society and have every right to education, employment and social avenues as any of us. It is disheartening that we still need to fight for inclusion in our schools, workplaces and society at large. May each of us that work on behalf of those living with disabilities, never drop the torch we have been asked to carry.