By Jacob Lesner-Buxton • Posted on December 21, 2025
Note to readers about the word “ableism”. In short, the word ableism means discrimination against people with disabilities.
An example of ableism is a two-story office building without an elevator. The designers of the building consciously or unconsciously assume that people with mobility issues wouldn’t need to access the top floor of the building. Their ableist assumptions caused them not to build an elevator.
Another example of ableism happened at Cal-State East Bay earlier this year. A group of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled in a certificate program were denied a chance to participate in the school's commencement ceremony.
While the school claimed that only those who were receiving degrees were allowed to cross the stage, activists provided examples of others who received certificates who were allowed to take part in past ceremonies. They suggest that the school administration was acting on an ableist assumption that students with disabilities weren’t supposed to graduate from college. Despite public pressure, the school administration still wouldn’t let the students cross the stage.
We hope that through reading these articles, you begin to notice ableism in society and look for ways to advocate against ableism by becoming an ally to people with disabilities.
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[title] => What was I to do if the power went out?
[author] => Anonymous
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These people are amazing and it is well worth your time to check them out. As a senior sometimes it is just plain strange because there are times when you may wonder if the modern world remembers the past at all and you may wonder where to turn for help, or with questions for people of our ages. Here is my story: The storms were coming and the weather reports were saying the power may be turned off or could be interrupted.
That was a big concern to me as I use oxygen at night and a nebulizer twice a day (that's a machine to take meds for the lungs). What was I to do if the power went out? I saw a commercial on TV about the Access Central Coast and thought, well, what the heck? I will call them. Now, without complication ACC delivered a battery that can be used in case of a power outage. Just plug your equipment into it and bingo! You are safe to use your equipment no matter if a storm comes.
The lady I worked with is Lauren Utterback and she is so professional and personable that you don't feel any discomfort at all asking for help.
If you need help as a senior or disabled person certainly give them a call. It will be worth your time.
-Anonymous, Consumer of Lauren Utterback, Emergency Preparedness Services Manager
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[title] => Connection to Technology is Essential
[author] => Anonymous
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[date] => 2025-12-07
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[title] => Kyle and His Journey Towards Independence
[author] => Jacob Lesner-Buxton
[article] =>
In 2020, at just 35 years old, Kyle was diagnosed with a condition that caused total paralysis and was told he might never live independently again. After three years of hard work in therapy, he was determined to regain his independence. By 2024, Kyle was living in a care home costing $7,000 a month, facing the possibility of being moved to a county facility because he had no family able to care for him. He needed housing that would allow him to continue therapy, cook, maintain hygiene, and work toward walking again—but every affordable or subsidized option he found was inaccessible. Narrow doorways, small bathrooms, inaccessible kitchens—most apartments listed as “accessible” were not truly accessible.
After a year and a half of searching, Kyle finally found one apartment that worked: first floor, with wide hallways and doorways, and a kitchen and bathroom he could actually use with his wheelchair. The rent is $3,300—still far from affordable, but half of what the care home costs. With this housing, he has been able to build a workout space, cook for himself, and continue his recovery.
Kyle’s experience highlights a critical gap: accessible housing is almost never aligned with affordable housing. People with disabilities are often excluded from low-income options simply because they aren’t built with accessibility in mind. Independence shouldn’t cost extra—it should be a baseline. Alongside ACC, Kyle was able to apply and receive in-home care, find an apartment, and be connected with continued supports to help him with his journey towards independence.
