What is MDC?

MDC's mission

Building Diplomatic Relationships

What Is Needed?

Join MDC

Disability Calendar of Events through KATS Network

What is the MDC?
The Metro Disability Coalition was born from the desire for a better quality of life for people with disabilities. The goal of this diverse group is to ensure full and equal participation of everyone in all aspects of society.

The Metro Disability Coalition, a non-profit organization of individuals and agencies in the Louisville metropolitan area, began in 1994 with three goals:

• To support mutual planning, coordination and funding of agencies and programs which serve persons with disabilities and their families.
• To represent the interest of members to local and national governments, bureaus and agencies.
• To expand the consciousness of all people about the concerns of persons with disabilities.

The Metro Disability Coalition is a joint effort of many different people who combine to create a greater whole. We invite ALL citizens of the Louisville and Kentuckiana area to join us in "establishing diplomatic relationships" with one another for the benefit of everyone in our community. Remember: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

Mission Statement
The Metro Disability Coalition is an organization of individuals and groups in the Greater Louisville community committed to the betterment of life for persons with disabilities, and for the inclusion and participation of everyone in all aspects of society."

Building Diplomatic Relationships
In the Forward to Strong at the Broken Places, by Stuart D. Goving, Rosalynn Carter wrote: "If the 450 million persons described by the World Health Organization as 'disabled' were to live in a single country, it would be the third largest country in the world. . . . but people with disabilities are not concentrated in one area, rather persons with disabilities are disbursed throughout the population . . . yet they inhabit a 'foreign land' to most . . . and we [society as a whole] don't want to establish diplomatic relationships."

Despite ADA legislation and a growing civil rights awareness - apathy, ignorance, fear and limited resources continue to keep many communities from "establishing diplomatic relationships" with citizens who have disabilities.

The irony is any disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to:

• live independently;
• enjoy self-determination;
• make choices;
• pursue meaningful careers;
• enjoy a full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural and educational mainstream of American Society. (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992)

What Is Needed?
The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, and, since that time, our community has made many efforts to improve accessibility for all citizens. As a community, we have struggled to identify our weaknesses and strengths in the areas of:

• Building and Communication Access
• Education and Training
• Employment
• Healthcare
• Housing and Transportation
• Information Referral

We now need your help to move forward. By joining us to identify and improve the situation of people with disabilities, the community will become a better place for all of us to live.

What Can You Do?
By becoming an individual or group member of the Metro Disability Coalition, you can make a difference. We need your input on issues that concern all citizens of this community. Through identifying problem areas, developing action plans and implementing them, we can effect a change that will be felt for years to come.

To do your part, please fill out the membership form, and mail it to MDC, P. O. Box 8086 Louisville, KY 40257. Annual membership is just $10 for individuals, $50 for non-profit organizations, and $100 for businesses and other for-profit groups. Please do your part to help! Come and contribute to the efforts of this organization.

E-mail _________________________________________________

Make check payable to: Metro Disability Coalition and mail to
MDC, P. O. Box 8086, Louisville, KY 40207