Accessibility is important to everyone. Whether it be accessing a beach or park, a tourist attraction or coastal eatery; or joining a committee, class, council, or employment, access to participate matters to every one of us. For many, there are barriers to being an active community member that can be overcome with attention and consideration, and the right connections.
This is the work Sammy’s Place and its COAAST (Communities of All Abilities Succeeding Together) Network programs having been doing for several years. The network is part of the Oregon Consortium of Family Networks (OCFN) whose goal is to connect families with each other and to their local communities where they live. These relationships become the supports needed to gain genuine access to our communities. When we know each other, we care -- when we care, we support.
Sammy’s Place works to fund programs that increase access for all individuals, that provide more choices to be part of the community, such as:
• Self Advocacy Discovery Tours and Summit with the Arc of Lincoln County.
• New exciting networking opportunities in our coastal communities.
• Person-Centered Planning and why it works.
• Disability 101 Education: How do I talk to my neighbor?
• Video production highlighting independence, universal design, and housing access.
• Affordable housing that highlights the principles of universal design and community.
• Community Service Equity: Who are we missing?
• Universal Access for our hard-of-hearing friends.
“We are interested in growing as many opportunities as possible for our coastal neurodiverse families and friends including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD),” said Leah Halstead, Board Chair for Sammy’s Place. “This is our time to share the simple ways thinking about universal access opens the choices, for everyone. It’s really exciting work”.
The Sammy’s Place Board invites community friends and organizations to partner where our work intersects to increase reach and support for these valuable, necessary programs and services.
Funding comes from a variety of sources including the Emil W. and Lois E. Brammert Fund of Oregon Community Foundation, The Fairview Trust, the Collins Foundation, the State of Oregon, and private donations [see more here: https://sammysplace.info/about/partners-supporters/]. Leah says, “The Sammy’s Place Board of Director is very grateful for those that continue to support the innovative ideas and new services”.
As Sammy’s Place works to create opportunities, they invite you to think about ways your family or organization can expand the reach by supporting every person for who they are, and to be an active participant in our communities.
Upcoming Activities & Events:
• Community Picnic, Rockaway Beach, June 27
• Discovery Boat Tour, Newport, OR Yaquina Bay – Registration coming soon.
• Tillamook County Fair – Meetup
• Healthier Oregon Community Exploration
• Self-Advocacy Discovery Events
• Universal Design Housing Tours
• Fall Community Unified Sports
For more information, go to www.sammysplace.info
About Sammy’s Place & Oregon COAAST Network:
Sammy’s Place is a non-profit organization serving Oregon’s north coast, Clatsop, Tillamook, and Lincoln counties. Originating in Nehalem, OR we envision a welcoming coastal region where everybody has what they need to fully participate and thrive in their community of choice. Our combined lived experience shows that, while disability is a natural part of life, the Oregon Coast is not yet universally accessible to people with disabilities, which can be unintentionally unwelcoming. This means that not everyone can fully participate and thrive in our coastal communities. This is especially the case for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This drives us to create new opportunities within the coastal region so everyone can fully participate and thrive in their community of choice. We are currently doing this through three interconnected strategies. We are elevating the voices of people and families experiencing I/DD through our Family Network and peer support services. We are advancing universal accessibility in our local towns along Oregon’s North Coast through a community housing development model that highlights concepts of universal design and living in community. And finally, we are creating a sustainable organization as a long-term resource for the Coast through strategic planning and sound financial stewardship. We are inviting partners who are seeking ways to evolve access to our beloved coastal communities, to join us!
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