Disability Policy Consortium

Myth vs. Fact

Myth: Accommodations and disability supports are special benefits.

Fact: Accommodations and disability supports help create equal access.

Too often, accommodations are viewed as extras, perks, or special treatment. In reality, they are tools that help remove barriers and ensure disabled people can participate alongside their peers. A ramp doesn't provide an advantage over stairs. Closed captions don't give someone an unfair benefit. Extended testing time doesn't make an exam easier.

These accommodations exist because people experience the world differently, and equal access sometimes requires different supports.

The goal of accommodations is not to give someone more than everyone else. The goal is to ensure people have what they need to fully participate in school, work, healthcare, community life, and the activities that matter to them.

When accommodations and supports are misunderstood as optional benefits rather than necessities, it becomes easier to question their value or view them as something that can be reduced, delayed, or removed.

But for many disabled people, these supports are essential. Without them, equal participation may not be possible. Access is not a luxury. It is a requirement for inclusion.

What is one accommodation, support, or accessibility feature that has helped create a more equitable experience for you or someone you know? Share in the comments below.

What You Don't See: The Preparation

A friend invites you to dinner. A family member plans a barbecue. A community event pops up that you'd love to attend. For many people, the response is simple.

"Sounds great. What time?"

For many disabled people, that's when the planning begins.

Before saying yes, there may be a dozen other questions to answer. Is the location accessible? Is there accessible parking? Will transportation be available? Is there an accessible bathroom? Will support staff be available? Do medications, medical supplies, or equipment need to come along? How much energy will this take, and what else is already planned for that week?

What may look like a simple invitation can quickly become a series of decisions and logistics that must be worked through before an answer can even be given.

And sometimes, after all that preparation, the answer is still no. Not because the person doesn't want to attend. Not because they aren't interested. But because one piece of the puzzle couldn't come together.

Over time, this can create another challenge. Friends and family may stop extending invitations altogether, believing they are helping by removing the pressure to decline.

But often, the invitation itself matters. Being included matters. Being remembered matters. Having the opportunity to choose matters.

What many people don't see is that independence often starts long before someone arrives. It begins with planning, coordinating, problem-solving, and making decisions about what is needed to successfully participate.

Disabled people become experts in their own needs because they often have to be. This is one reason self-determination matters so much. The person living the experience is often the person best equipped to understand what they need to participate, succeed, and thrive.

What's something you've had to prepare for that others may not realize required so much planning? Share in the comments below.

We are pleased to announce that Audrey Shelto, Former President and CEO of the BCBSMA Foundation, and Monika Mitra, Director of the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University, will serve as Co-Chairs of the DPC 30th Anniversary Gala!

Audrey and Monika have been outstanding champions of DPC and the Massachusetts disability community for decades. Their leadership, dedication, and commitment to the credo "About Us, By Us" make them the perfect people to help guide this milestone celebration. We look forward to working with them as we honor our history, celebrate our impact, and gather with friends and supporters for an unforgettable evening.

Thank you for your continued support and leadership, Audrey and Monika!

--
Join us at the DPC 30th Anniversary Gala!

Date: Thursday, November 19th
Time: 6-8:30 PM
Location: Artists for Humanity (100 W 2nd Street Boston, MA 02127) and livestreamed on Zoom
Tickets: dpcma.org/dpc-30-gala

Interested in sponsoring the event? Reach out to [email protected].

Why It Matters Monday: What Independence Really Means

When people hear the word independence, they often picture someone doing everything on their own. No help, no support, no assistance.

It's a common belief, but it's also a definition that leaves a lot of people out.

The reality is that everyone relies on something. Family and friends, transportation, healthcare, technology, coworkers, and community supports all play a role in helping people live their lives.

Yet when disabled people use supports, those same supports are often viewed differently. Instead of being seen as tools that create independence, they're sometimes seen as signs of dependence. That's why this matters.

When independence is defined as doing everything alone, it becomes easy to overlook the value of things like accessible transportation, personal care attendants, service dogs, interpreters, wheelchair repairs, and other supports that make community living possible. It can also lead people to underestimate what disabled people can do simply because we do it differently.

For many disabled people, independence isn't about having no support. It's about having the freedom to make choices, pursue goals, participate in the community, and live life on our own terms.

The right supports don't take independence away. They help make it possible. This month, DPC will be exploring what Independence is and the supports, services, and systems that help make community living possible.

What does independence mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.