Meet Erin Balcom, Delarc’s Accessibility Coordinator. This is Erin’s first year as Accessibility Coordinator, a position she created. Before her current role, Erin proudly served as Vice President of Delarc’s Self-Advocacy Committee for the 2023-24 term. Erin uses a wheelchair to navigate this world and faces the important issue of a barrier-free world, which is one reason she is perfect for Accessibility Coordinator.
Having a community that is more accessible for Erin and her peers would be a more inclusive community to maneuver around. When asked why having a community that is more accessible is important, she responded, “So we can go to places where we want to.” There are local shops that are not accessible, which makes it challenging to conduct business. When approaching a local shop that is not accessible, Erin feels “Not too happy. We have a right to get in.” The lack of accessibility can cause people with disabilities to feel excluded from their community.
Erin decided she wanted to do more for her peers to help bring more awareness to the lack of accessibility within the community. She advocated for the role of Accessibility Coordinator. “I wanted to continue to be a part of the self-advocacy committee. I like advocating for myself and my peers.” Adding this role to Delarc’s Self-Advocacy Committee has been very beneficial.
In that role, Erin has begun researching the different laws regarding accessibility. Erin reached out to the Mayor of Delhi, Jeffrey Gearhart, to further discuss the accessibility issues within the community. She stated that Mayor Gearhart is aware of the issues and stated they are making progress. He understands the importance.
“Full Accessibility is vital so ALL people have access to what society has to offer— employment, community, education, socialization, medical care, etc. Delarc strives to be 100 percent inclusive and accessible to everyone and encourages our communities to be barrier-free too. Life is better when everyone can be a part of it. We are grateful for Erin’s important work in this area and thank her for her dedication and steadfast commitment as the Accessibility Coordinator” Delarc’s CEO Molly Little added.
Erin will continue to advocate for safer and more accessible communities to ensure everyone feels included and has the same equity as the next.
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