SUS Turns On Its Digital Engine

By Michael Posso, Webmaster/Designer, Services for the UnderServed

The Internet has seen many exciting trends in the last few years. Websites and services, such as Facebook and Twitter, are redefining personal and social communications. Websites have become much more complex and true showcases of design and innovation. Here at SUS, we are aware of these technological trends and are using them to spread the word about our organization.

Our Resource Development department is implementing these trends to create innovative materials. Landing pages, videos, photo albums and presentations are among the digital materials being produced. This type of content creation enhances the online presence of SUS and delivers information in a more creative and engaging way. The SUS Facebook fan page has seen a dramatic increase in members, and the SUS YouTube channel has proved to be very popular amongst our staff and potential constituents. The SUS blog, The Signal, provides an opportunity for people interested in SUS and the work that we do to learn more.

In addition, SUS is redesigning its website. The new website will serve as a digital multimedia portal to our consumers and visitors. This time, the design will be user-centric and more akin to current web design styles, making information about our divisions and services quickly accessible. The home page will feature videos and other multimedia materials that will be easy access and view. The color scheme and graphic content will be more up-to-date and responsive to current web design styles.

We are very confident that all of our staff and consumers will benefit from SUS’ new digital initiatives. Our social media campaigns and new design implementations are expected to place SUS at the vanguard in the digital landscape for non-profits.

Lois Romero

Lois moved from California to New York, and very quickly ended up homeless, living on the streets. She felt helpless and desperate, and tried to commit suicide. While in hospital recovering, Lois was referred to SUS, and has been living in SUS housing for the last 13 years. Lois grows fruits and vegetables for all the residents in her building, and attends wellness programs. Today, Lois has her own apartment, and feels safe and hopeful.

We Are On Our Way

By Donna Colonna, CEO, Services for the UnderServed

This year our nation is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. There is no question that ADA advanced the independence of people with disabilities. It afforded similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as did the the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which made discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and other characteristics illegal.

As many minority groups can testify, the President’s signature affixed to congressional legislation does not mean the immediate eradication of barriers to equality. Today, twenty years later, people with disabilities do not earn equal wages for like jobs, they are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed, and for many housing and accessible public transportation are in short supply. Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities still lack equal opportunities to succeed in school and to be fully included in all childhood experiences. While ADA moved our nation’s assertion of social equality forward, we are not there yet in terms of daily truths.

What, therefore, can we do to speed the pace of change promised two decades ago? We must reinvigorate the history of social action that gave rise to ADA. We must challenge social barriers in housing, transportation, employment, and technology access. Parents of children with disabilities must be supported in their fight against exclusion and segregation of their children. Members of the general public must lend their voice to local groups that advocate for the rights of people with disability, as many recently did in the fight to eliminate the “R-word” in everyday speech.

ADA was a landmark achievement in the independent living movement, helping people with disabilities achieve greater self-reliance and be accorded their personal dignity. Still, there are those who argue that government-funded services provided are too costly. People with disabilities should first be seen as citizens and only secondarily as consumers of healthcare, rehabilitation or social services. As citizens, persons with disabilities have the same right to participation, opportunities, freedom, and self-determination in everyday life that other citizens take for granted. We’re not there yet, but we are on our way.