April Proclaimed Disability Awareness Month
in Jefferson County

On April 7, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend and the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners will officially designate April 2008 as Disability Awareness Month.

As a part of “Disability Awareness Month” activities, DASH is sponsoring its 6th Annual Assume-a-Disability Event, Wednesday, April 16.  The ten participants in this year’s Event are affiliated with the City and County government, religious and business communities and the Jefferson Red Cross.  Each participant has his or her sight or mobility limited in some fashion and will then spend the day completing a list of real-life tasks, including evaluating designated emergency points of refuge in and around Port Townsend, riding the bus, and walking or wheeling along the city’s streets and sidewalks. Participants from past Events have pointed out that the physical environment often presents far more significant barriers to accessibility than a person’s physical limitations.

“We are pleased to be working with the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management and East Jefferson Fire Rescue this year”, said Lynn Gressley, president of Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH). One of the goals of this year’s Event is to help the participants understand that our community must be prepared to assist all people in times of natural or man-made disaster.  We also hope to increase the community’s awareness of the importance of including people with disabilities in our everyday lives.”

Following the day’s activities participants will speak at a debriefing from 1:30 to 2:30 at the Jefferson County Courthouse Commissioners’ Chambers. Everyone who is interested is welcome to attend.

Since forming in May 1999, Disability Awareness Starts Here! (DASH) has worked to assure that people with disabilities have opportunities to participate in every aspect of community life equal to those of people without disabilities.  DASH has successfully employed community advocacy and education to improve access to public places and programs in Port Townsend and Jefferson County, and to teach the community about why and how good access makes good sense for everyone.

For more information contact Lynn Gressley, DASH President, at 379-0274 or contact@dashproject.org