Accessibility Bridge Corporation
Cause Area
- Advocacy & Human Rights
- Community
- Education & Literacy
- People with Disabilities
- Sports & Recreation
Location
4660 Crain Hwy#1622White Plains, MD 20695 United StatesWebsite:
https://accessibilitybridge.com/
Organization Information
Mission Statement
The mission of Accessibility Bridge Corporation, a 501 (c) 3 organization, is to promote inclusion and create access for children and adults with disabilities in all areas of their communities. We are a volunteer-run organization that provides wraparound supports to people with disabilities who are seeking higher levels of independence and inclusion in the areas of education, independent living, employment, athletics, and social skills. We do this by partnering with and supporting communities and organizations to help them build their knowledge and capacity to support people with disabilities by developing programming, implementation plans, data collection and monitoring systems that will improve desirable outcomes in inclusive settings.
Description
Dee Sapp, founder and Executive Director of Accessibility Bridge has a son with an intellectual impairment and autism. There were many obstacles and barriers created by people, systems & programs that lacked both the empathy and knowledge it took to instruct and interact with a person with different abilities. The "one size fits all" approach to services and assistance proved more of a detriment than as support.
Believing that her son deserved equitable opportunities for an independent and successful life, she sought meaningful & accommodating ways for him to thrive. Researching programs, schools, employers, and therapists she learned that there's a world of inclusive communities that her son could tap into if she was willing to let him leave the "comfort" of his current community in order to experience it. Therefore, Accessibility Bridge Corporation was formed.
Disability has moved from a physical or medical perspective to one that incorporates a person’s physical, social, & intellectual background. Strides are being made to make the world more accessible for people with disabilities; but, more work is required to meet their needs.
We address areas of inclusion & equity for PWD relating to community development, education, healthcare, athletics, social systems, employment, and accessibility. Our signature programs operate nationally: Crossing Bridges, Mentoring, Brick 44 Athletic Initiative, and Educational Equity. We have other community-based programs such as our Winter’s Closet and Food Pantry.