Changing the World
RCIL's ultimate goal is to put itself out of business. Not only is integration of and equal access for all people with disabilities the agency's clear objective and guiding principle, it simply makes sense -- not only for obvious ethical reasons, but also as a clear-cut cost equation. As long as people with disabilities are seen as helpless burdens for whom the "normal" world should have sympathy -- rather than being viewed as untapped resources -- society will continue to harbor a bias toward "putting people away" -- and everyone's tax dollars will go to pay for unnecessary and expensive institutionalizations.
Instead, RCIL envisions a world in which everyone -- regardless of disability -- lives in the most integrated and independent setting possible and has the opportunity to contribute to the economic, political, and social life of our community.
Today, people are living longer than ever before. Accidents and illness impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year. A whole range of learning disabilities are just now beginning to be understood. None of us is immune to disability, and few can say their lives have been untouched by the issues that surround it.
The preamble to the International Bill of Human Rights begins with the words "Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world..." This is the essential question: who on this planet does not deserve the right to determine the course of his or her own destiny? RCIL is dedicated to making this vision a reality.
To accomplish this, RCIL weaves advocacy into every service it provides, and has several programs focused specifically on making change happen:
- Disability Rights Online Action Center -- RCIL makes it easy to learn about key legislation and important issues that impact disability rights. Our online action center helps you make your voice heard. You can use our handy letter templates outlining the issues -- easily customized to reflect your personal story -- to send your opinion to representatives at all levels of government.