Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [id] => 17
            [date] => 2021-02-03
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => ACC's Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response services bring peace and security
            [author] => Anonymous
            [article] => 
How has the Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program changed your life?  

Ever since the Thomas Fire this has been in the back of my mind being worried about the electricity going off and all of a sudden PG&E referred me to you and there was an overwhelming amount of peace. It gives you a deep peace to know you’re not subject to the whims of the weather. You can never tell about the unknown factors. You can watch the weather all you want but the reality is you need to be prepared. 

How do you feel about how ACC has helped you prepare for disasters and emergencies? How did you feel before?   

It's like a miracle happened to me. That's the way I feel. In the beginning I couldn't believe it. I didn't believe it for the first week or so. It's wonderful, I don't know how to describe it, it's beyond words at times. Before planning with ACC there was nothing and I explored everything to find assistance. Unless I had $5,000 to buy a battery there was nothing for me and I felt frustration that the winds could make them turn the power off. It's nice to be able to do something about it. Before planning it made me feel powerless. It gave me power in this situation to get the planning.  

What is different now that you have the backup battery and disaster plan?

It's peace of mind I guess. It's being proactive instead of waiting for the situation to happen and seeing what help you can find. This program is safety and gives you a nice warm fuzzy feeling.

"ACC isn't like a government agency it's like people helping people. It's real help by real people."

-Michele, Consumer of Lauren Utterback- Independent Living Advocate

        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [id] => 1
            [date] => 2025-12-21
            [status] => Active
            [new] => Yes
            [title] => Note to Readers About the Word “Ableism”
            [author] => Jacob Lesner-Buxton
            [article] => 

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.

        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [id] => 25
            [date] => 2021-02-24
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => Computers Are Crucial to Connection
            [author] => Anonymous
            [article] => 
Mr Romero received his computer in January and has been using it for a month. Before COVID 19, he did not have a use for a computer, just his phone. He could go and meet people in person. Now, he uses the computer to join meetings with other veterans and join classes with other service providers. He called his computer my ’best friend.’ Mr. Romero is so grateful that he is able to share this life experience with friends. He suggests our programs to other people with disabilities in need. Because of this program, he feels his overall well-being has drastically improved; he now has a connection with the outside world that he did not have prior to receiving his computer.

Testimonial from M. Romero, a Simi Valley resident and consumer of Jaydon Gaines - Community Living Advocate 

        )

)
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