Laura O’Reilly-Stanzilis RN, MSM
In 2005 the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities described the particular challenges to health and wellbeing faced by persons of all ages with disabilities. It placed their health squarely among the public health issues at the forefront of research, service delivery, financing, training and education and health care policy today. (National Library of Medicine).
On September 26, 2023 The Nation Institutes of Health (NIH) designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities.
I recently had the honor of being the project leader for the DAWN Center for Independent Living “Expanding the Public health Workforce” initiative.
We provided training and CEUs for public health employees, and human services professionals engaged with us to build a bridge in the community that ensures people with disabilities are included in public health activities.
We created a Health and Wellness Guide that is intended to create an awareness of health and wellness principles and to engage individuals with disabilities and functional access needs to resources to public health and healthy living initiatives in their communities.
In your community, business and personal life, please make sure to be inclusive of those with special needs. As we strive for optimal health outcomes, learn ways to be inclusive and support all people in achieving best health!
Visit www.DAWNCIL.org for resources on how to be ADA (American s with Disabilities Act) compliant, improve communications and physical access, and accommodate individuals with intellectual disabilities needs and functional limitations.
Laura is the Chair of the MCCC “Thrive Morris” Health and Wellness Community. She is the Founding President of Be Well & Thrive, a New Jersey Non profit. She can be reached at LauraOS@bewell-thrive.com / www.bewell-thrive.com
