Learn the driving force behind my passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities, why I started Ernestreynolds.com, and what resources you can expect to find here.
Mic check 1, 2, 1, 2! Hopefully, this thing is on. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Ernest Reynolds and my goal is to uplift, empower, and inspire. With all that is occurring in the world today, I think we could all use a little of that.
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This Act was enacted in order to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. This happened in 1990, can you believe that it took until 1990 to have something like this passed into law? Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, progression has been made towards including people with disabilities into the community, schools, and workplace. But even though there has been progress, we still need further change.
Statistics show that individuals with disabilities are more likely to be bullied, unemployed, and suffer depression. As anyone of us could imagine, not having simple pleasures and opportunities that most others do, would affect one's quality of life. As my mother would say “What’s the point of being here if you’re not going to leave your mark”. Through educating and advocating, I will be using this platform to promote equality and equity for all. We all possess value and can benefit from experiencing the value of others.
And through this passion, I have made it my purpose to “leave my mark”!
I started this journey of being a Disability and Inclusion Advocate 15 years ago. Before setting out on this path, I was a Health Educator and Adapted Physical Education Teacher for a large metropolitan school system. Through these experiences, it has developed my passion for disability advocacy. And through this passion, I have made it my purpose to “leave my mark”!
My advocacy for individuals with disabilities is supported by my work in Mental Health Awareness, Behavior Management, Diffusing Unconscious Biases, and it goes without saying, Disability Awareness, Sensitivity Awareness, and Inclusion.
I’m here as a resource for those who want to improve their current understanding of disability advocacy and are looking for tools to aid in providing a more inclusive environment for those they interact with.
Ok, I’m going to step away from the mic now. Thank you for stopping by and showing love. Talk soon!