Access to all aspects of life is deeply intertwined. It is like a chain compiled of many links hooked together; removing access to one aspect of life is like removing one of the links in the chain; the chain is then broken, removing access to everything. Having access to one thing can provide access to another just as not having access to one thing can eliminate access to another.
Access to employment is impacted by many links in the chain of life. Education, starting from early intervention and preschool through community transitions and university, impacts access to employment. Depending on what type of education one has access to at the beginning of their schooling journey, greatly impacts their entire educational experience. Whatever the entire journey of education may be, typically dictates the access to employment.
Access to accessible, affordable housing and accessible transportation also impacts access to employment; when a person lacks the ability to easily move locations and/or transverse throughout the community, the amount of employment opportunities is drastically decreased. However, access to employment also impacts access to affordable housing as not having enough income can eliminate a large number of housing options.
Affordable healthcare also impacts access to employment and education as, without adequate healthcare, people may not have the adequate quality of life to work and/or go to school; access to the right treatments can be a game changer for many. Access to adequate health care also includes access to adequate in-home care. In-home care is crucial as it is necessary for many people with disabilities to be productive in society. When people live in their own home (rather than an institution), it is typically cheaper for the State and more viable for the state as people who live at home are typically more involved within their community. Without access to in-home care, many people with disabilities would no longer have access to being able to get out of bed and go to the store (therefore, not paying sales tax), vote (which is a constitutional right), volunteer or even work. And, being able to work may even provide access to better healthcare.
Society needs to stop segregating people with disabilities and provide access to all aspects of life; if people without disabilities have access to an aspect of life, in order to have an equal opportunity, people with a disability need to be provided with that same aspect of life as well. Providing people with disabilities access to all aspects of life grants an equal opportunity. This, in turn, allows the disability community to flourish to their full potential.
