Disability Awareness

We want to help our community better understand what it means to be living with a disability and how we, as a community, can support those living with a disability!

Disability Educational Outreach fosters the inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society. This means that people with disabilities have more options and people without disabilities benefit from the experience of a more diverse society.

We offer free trainings at/for:

• College and University courses
• Human Service Agencies
• Professional organizations
• Businesses
• Residential centers
• Service organizations and clubs
• Religious groups
• School-aged children in school classrooms, school clubs, after-school programs, youth groups and summer camps. (Read more below.)

Our Outreach Specialists use their training and personal experiences to help community members understand:

• What it is like living with a disability
• Various types of disabilities
• Disability etiquette including how to interact with people with disabilities and what language is appropriate to describe disabilities
• Myths and stereotypes when it comes to living with a disability
• How to welcome people with disabilities into your life, business, or organization
• How to work with students or children with disabilities
• Various assistive equipment, service animals and tools needed for independent living
• Accessibility and universal design
• The Americans with Disabilities Act and employment, transportation, public accommodation, and telecommunication laws
• The Independent Living Movement
• American Sign Language or Braille

Our Outreach Specialists can educate through:

• Small or large group discussions.
• Small group or panel discussions about disability rights and diversity.
• Role-playing exercises.
• Demonstrations, including those of assistive equipment and American Sign Language.

Does Your Business or Organization Need an Accessibility Audit?

FLIC offers free-of-charge accessibility audits for businesses and organizations in Tompkins County. Accessibility audits are designed to help businesses and organizations better understand the accessibility requirements that make these physical spaces ADA compliant and universally accessible. Our audits focus on key areas that should be evaluated so that all people, including people with disabilities, can navigate your building and environment effectively, comfortably, and safely. Improvements to accessibility will show your clients or customers that you truly care about their well-being.

Key areas include:

• Entrances
• Workstations
• Restrooms
• Common areas- kitchen, breakroom, and conference or meeting rooms.

Reaching children:

Our unique outreach programs for children are very popular in Tompkins County schools. We introduce children to disabilities in a non-threatening, matter-of-fact way.  Our presentations can include informal discussions, questions, role-playing, games, equipment demonstrations, and videos.