Amanda

When Amanda shared her story in 2022, she was 35 years old, had cerebral palsy, and used a power wheelchair.

She lived in a studio apartment with her caregiver, who was paid through Community Long Term Care, or CLTC.

Her caregiver worked around the clock, but at the time was only paid for 35 hours each week. Getting a break was difficult unless Amanda paid someone else out of pocket.

Amanda said she would be able to live more independently if she had access to more caregivers to support her.

Housing was another major barrier.

Finding affordable housing that could accommodate her wheelchair was difficult, and even getting her apartment building to become more accessible was a struggle.

Amanda also encountered places that claimed to be ADA compliant but were not truly accessible to her.

Those experiences left her frustrated by what she saw as a lack of education and understanding about people with disabilities.

For Amanda, accessibility is about much more than getting through a doorway. It is about being able to live independently, participate in the community, and have the support needed to make everyday life possible.

She believed elected officials needed to recognize the urgent need for support services that are both affordable and accessible.

She also emphasized that caregivers need wages that allow them to support themselves and their own families. Without a strong direct-care workforce, people with disabilities may have fewer opportunities to live independently.

Amanda said she did not feel included in the mainstream community.

There needs to be a change.