Barriers
Details on our 2023 barriers coming soon.
The issue areas we focus on for Advocacy Day for Access & Independence, 2023, are selected by people with disabilities! Make your voice heard and tell your state what issues you’re facing as a person with a disability – take this survey.
Discrimination
“I do not feel as though I have equal access to all the parts of my life I want to participate in. I feel like I am forced to rely on others to meet needs that I know I could meet if our state’s infrastructure were better and people were not so uninformed about disability. If we cannot get out into the community, then people will not think of us when designing the world.”
- A Disabled South Carolinian
The Issue: South Carolinians with disabilities believe our number one barrier is how people see us.
The way people view and think about people with disabilities leads to discrimination. The State can combat discrimination by:
- Having ADA Coordinators at all state agencies
- Bringing Disability Rights & History Month to our schools
- Recognizing Supported Decision Making as the first choice for people with disabilities over guardianship
Housing
“The state can do better with how it views the disabled. There is a sector of people who are disabled but do not qualify for help but really need the help. We cannot afford housing and are forced into a substandard housing situation. I was forced to move into a camper because I cannot afford rent. I was told by the county it’s illegal to live in a camper. I cannot get help from the county because I get too much SSDI ($1250 before medicare), and my camper is considered a resource. What am I supposed to do – sell my home and live in the street?”
- A Disabled South Carolinian
The Issue: Community living is not accessible, unaffordable, and does not follow Supreme Court rulings.
Housing is key to independence. People with disabilities want to live in the community alongside non-disabled peers in housing that is affordable and built with disabilities in mind.
Accessible means something is usable by everyone.
Transportation
“I have been blind for 20 years. If it was not for family and friends, I would not have been able to raise my three kids and keep them active in the community because of the lack of public transportation, rideshare services, or local independent living training services. I have not tried to find a job because I know that I do not have any dependable transportation to get me to and from a job, and I do not want to be the type of employee that is not dependable. Lack of transportation is one the biggest issues for disabilities in South Carolina – access to jobs that pay well and being able to afford to live in the towns where the good jobs are.”
- A Disabled South Carolinian
The Issue: Transportation is key to independence and community participation. People with disabilities are twice as likely to lack dependable transportation.
Without transportation it is difficult to:
- Find and keep jobs for independence
- Take care of our health needs, early
- Build friendships, relationships, and family connections
- Take part in community activities and the local economy
Healthcare
“[Healthcare in South Carolina is] Demoralizing. Dehumanizing. Long waiting lists for waivers and funding for services. Then, when you get the funding, the services don’t exist or are miles away. Adult services are even worse. After years of pediatric services, I can find literally no adult psychiatrists or adult-supporting housing opportunities. There are no waiting lists; they are just not here. It’s disgusting, frankly.”
- A Disabled South Carolinian
The Issue: People with disabilities need affordable and accessible healthcare in order to maintain their health and independence.
Available, affordable healthcare allows us to work and provide for our families and communities.
Medicaid expansion, also known as CoverSC can get us there!