News & Information
APIDC holds first Community Training "Building Bridges For Inclusion and Equity"
August 3, 2010 - Los Angeles – The Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC) successfully completed its first community training “BUILDING BRIDGES FOR INCLUSION AND EQUITY” in Los Angeles on July 29, 2010. The training was sponsored by Southern California Edison. Read Community Training "Building Bridges For Inclusion and Equity" Press Release (.PDF)
Approximately ten percent of Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) in California have some kind of disability. However, they and their families are often “invisible” in the larger community, and cut off from many of the services and leadership opportunities provided by Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
The training introduced the APIA disabilities community to the APIA community. In addition, individual CBO plans were designed to help organizations become more open to people with disabilities. Plans focused on Accessibility Audit, Needs Assessment, Partnerships, and Reasonable Accommodation. Assistance in implementation of the plan and a follow-up session is included in this training.
Jean Lin, APIDC Outreach Coordinator, commented, "Invited API CBOs were very open and accepting of the training. Participants appreciated the open atmosphere for discussion and the positive outlook on the issue. We addressed a spectrum of disability issues: disability etiquette; importance of identifying attitudinal and cultural barriers facing APIs with disabilities as it relates to obtaining adequate services from service providers, disability organizations as well as API organizations; and challenges of gainful employment for APIs with disabilities was illustrated through a data presentation."
Organizations participating in the training included: Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Asian Rehabilitation Services, Orange County Asian & Pacific Islander Community Alliance and the Pacific Islander Health Partnership. Disability Resource Advocates participated from the Disability Rights California and the Riverside Community Access Center.
