Inclusion & Disability Awareness – September 2023

Posted on by Pathfinder

Disability inclusion means understanding the relationship between how people function and how they participate in society and ensuring everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires. In an effort to effectively spread awareness and foster inclusion, each month we commemorate and share Disability Awareness information, resources, and celebrations.

September is Deaf Awareness Month! It is celebrated annually in September to help raise awareness about the language, culture, and diversity of the Deaf community in the United States.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are an integral part of the fabric of our culture, yet they can often face extraordinary barriers to communication, education, and employment. We can all work together to create a more inclusive society for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

Help us celebrate with the deaf and hearing loss community by making yourself aware of resources available in your area.  Visit TNPathfinder.org and search “deaf resources.” Then share the information with your friends, family, and community.

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Green background image with dark blue text: "NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH;" yellow text: "This month, we remind ourselves to look out for one another;" and aqua blue text at the bottom of image separated from the previous text by a horizontal dark blue line: "September 2022." All text is placed along the left side of image. To the right of text are 3 graphics of hands in differrent hues, each hand touching the other's wrist to form a triangle. A turquoise and purple ribbon are center and atop of hands with Pathfinder's branded graphic center of the ribbon. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline branded graphic is at the bottom right of the image.

988 Hotline Launched and in full operation throught the US. 

Those seeking support during a mental health or emotional crisis may dial 988 to connect to a nationwide support network. The transition to a simplified three-digit number is meant to increase access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and will operate similar to 911.

The move was facilitated by almost $300,000,000 in federal funding to both expand telephone infrastructure and increase call center staff. Via the network, trained counselors at more than 180 centers will be available over phone, text, or chat—users may call on behalf of themselves or others. The current 10-digit number has received more than 20 million calls since it was launched in 2005.

Suicide was one of the three leading causes of death in the US for those between 10 and 24 years of age in 2020 and claimed nearly 46,000 lives that year (see data)—almost double the number of homicides.

If you are a person experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis, please dial 988 to get support.

If you are looking for resources to assist with mental health call us at 1-800-640-4636 so that we help guide you to the right provider.

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Are you aware of the remarkable impact that service dogs can have on people’s lives? ????
Having a service dog by your side offers a unique level of independence, security, comfort, and companionship that can drastically improve the day-to-day quality of life of anyone living with a disability or health condition. From guiding those with impaired vision to helping individuals with autism remain in the community independently, service dogs can provide invaluable support for a wide variety of needs.
Our favorite service dog, Ripley, is reminding us to take a few moments to appreciate the invaluable gifts service dogs provide during National Service Dog Month.

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It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! We’re celebrating Hispanic culture through October 15th! Learn more about this celebratory month and Hispanic culture, and stop by our events page to see what great events are happening in your community to celebrate with our community friends!

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September 10, 2023 – September 16, 2023 is Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. During this week we take the time to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. Tell somone you know who is a DSP thank you. They deserve it!

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Celebrating diversity during National Inclusion Week just got even better!  The week of September 25th to October 1st is a great time to come together and recognize the colorful diversity that exists within our communities. Let’s spread love, knowledge, and respect amongst each other and embrace our differences. Celebrate recognizing what makes us unique and special during this week.

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Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome: This rare, genetic disorder causes developmental delay, seizures, and characteristic facial features. Learn more about this complex condition to help others in need and help us celebrate with our Pathfinder Pals Jonathan and his mother, Sandra, by sharing this message.

Check out this video that we made back in 2021 to give you a little glimpse into a family that lives with this diagnosis.