The 2022 US Census estimates more than 800,000 people in the Commonwealth have a disability, and more than 500,000 of these individuals have a cognitive or independent living disability. March is Nationwide Disability Awareness Month, and officials across Rowan County recently met to recognize the occasion.
The proclamation took place earlier this month at the new Amazing Opportunities Kentucky (AOK) office near West Main Street in Morehead. AOK serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through job placement, peer support, and other initiatives promoting acceptance and normalization.
LeeAnn Creech, Executive Director of AOK, said the organization has seen steady growth since launching services in 2023, but it’s been slow enough to maintain client relationships. She added a large part of this is helping people integrate into their community.
“Some of the goals that we have is to continue to support folks in the lives that they want to live, and the way they need that support and not the way necessarily that other people see it,” said Creech. “We support people on the Michelle P waiver, supported community living waiver, and then through our supported employment program in conjunction with vocational rehab.”
Advocates said while recognition is vital, more work needs to be done. Kaitlyn Paschall is the Program Director with AOK. She said one of the biggest barriers they have witnessed while serving disabled people in Morehead is a stigma around hiring.
“Being nervous, thinking there’s a liability. And there’s not. People with disabilities are proven to have been better employees, more loyal than other people without disabilities. We’re all temporarily abled right now. We can become disabled at any moment, any of us,” said Paschall.
Amazing Opportunities Kentucky will also host an open house Wednesday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. showcasing its new accessible facility.