June 2017
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Nov. 2017
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July 2018
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Caring for Others During ThanksgivingBy: Dan Taylor, L.I.F.E. Inc. Communications Specialist
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Knowing Your Rights in the Workforce
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Compassion can come in many forms these days. For some on the receiving end on Thanksgiving it came with a warm meal and a glowing smile.
L.I.F.E. Inc. teamed up with IHOP to throw a free Thanksgiving luncheon on November 25th at the Wheaton IHOP on University Boulevard in Wheaton. And it came with all the fixings including turkey and of course who can't end the day without pie! "This was the first time L.I.F.E. Inc. has done an event like this," said Denise Thomas, Executive Director of L.I.F.E. Inc. "But we have amazing staff and incredible business partners across the greater DC region. When you have those two combinations on the receiving end, you can't lose." For those who didn't have adequate transportation, volunteers at L.I.F.E Inc. came to them to deliver Thanksgiving meals. "This is what it means to give back," said Thomas. "We are uniting hearts and feeding souls. It feels wonderful to help the disabled community. Many times they're forgotten during the holidays." The pandemic has been particularly hard on those who are disabled. They have dealt with lack of access to COVID-19 testing and testing sites to abiding by health care visitor policies that exclude support persons. "To be able to give back to a community striving to live independent lives in huge," Thomas said. "It means they aren't forgotten and are a vital part of our society." 
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 Caleb Berkemeier, Training Specialist at the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center.
Navigating your rights as a disabled person can be challenging but where to turn to for help can be even harder.
L.I.F.E. Inc. held a seminar this year with Caleb Berkemeier who is a Training Specialist with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Berkemeier spoke about the importance of knowing your rights and what to do if you feel like your rights have been violated. Berkemeier says the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, provides information, guidance and, training, to DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, and WV on the ADA. Berkemeier was quick to point out that the organization is not an advocate for the disabled but simply there to answer questions should you have them. “We help people understand what their rights are,” Berkemeier said. “We give them resources that they can then share with their employers with businesses, whoever they are interacting with.” The ADA has been back in the news lately, after celebrating its 31st anniversary in 2020 with the ADA in 2020. The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is always trying to make connections daily with the disabled community. Berkemeier says it’s vital for the organization he works for, to make sure people have what they need to live independent lives. “We know these places (L.I.F.E. Inc.) are where we can really get out our information,” Berkemeier said. “We are a call center waiting for people to call us. And we get a lot of interaction that way which is obne on one with whoever is calling.” The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is constantly on the lookout to help organizations such as L.I.F.E. Inc. get information to those who need it. Berkemeier says non-profit groups, such as L.I.F.E. Inc., are able to reach people in higher numbers which helps them get the word out. To learn more about Mid-Atlantic ADA Center click here. |