Jan Ward
I was appointed to the SILC in June, 2008 to represent the Glenwood Springs area.
I am visually impaired and currently work for 'Passage to Freedom' a program of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority. This program encourages people with disabilities to ride the bus safely and independent. I am affilliated with the American Council for the Blind in Colorado and the Glenwood Springs Blind Support group considers me their fearless leader.
I believe that everyone, including seniors and persons with disabilities, has the right to live as independently as possible. It frustrates me when I see that people with disabilities being overlooked for volunteer or work opportunities because of prejudice rather than their ability to perform the tasks. To me, our independence is essential to being alive. I am also affilliated with the American Council for the Blind in Colorado..
I believe everyone has the right to live as independently as they did before either a disability or before their seniority.
So many times I have noticed that people with disabilities are overlooked for jobs and even volunteer work because of that disability not whether they can do the job. Ultimately our independence is essential to be alive. --