A MESSAGE FROM INTEGRATED RESOURCES INSTITUTE
I wanted to take a second to address last week’s election and what those results may mean for our organization and the support we provide. This has been a particularly taxing election season, and I know many of us would like to put the whole thing behind us and tune out. However, these results are important. The actions that we take over the next four years could have a profound impact on our ability to provide the services that so many in our communities rely upon.
First, I want to state that Integrated Resources Institute (IRI) is not a political organization. We do not endorse any particular candidate, and we do not consider ourselves to be on one side or the other. IRI employees come from a wide range of personal and political backgrounds with a huge variety of beliefs, values, and personal ambitions. IRI has been committed to providing the highest quality of supports towards competitive integrated employment while embracing all aspects of living a meaningful life. Our goal is to advance employment and housing equity for people with disabilities. We will always support equal rights and fair treatment for everyone, both in the workplace and in the community. We believe that everyone should have access to work and the dignity of determining their career path.
While IRI is not a political organization, the unfortunate truth is that the work we do is inherently political. The rights of people with disabilities came about through political action. The Lanterman Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act were the result of political organizing. Importantly, the money that pays for our services, advocacy, benefits, and wages come from state and federal funds.
The services that we provide are funded through Medicaid. Many people that we support rely on Social Security. Many more get their healthcare through the Affordable Care Act. The Department of Education ensures that people with disabilities can go to school and be treated well. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission protects people with disabilities from being mistreated in the workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that people with disabilities are able to apply for support, get and keep jobs, and access their communities.
Each of these programs and departments are crucial links in the chain of support. If any one of the above were to be removed, it would profoundly impact our ability to provide services. The negative impact for people with disabilities would be far greater.
We at IRI have a responsibility to advocate for our workforce. We have a responsibility to advocate for competitive integrated employment and living equity. We have a responsibility to advocate for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. In the coming time, our advocacy may be needed to safeguard these programs. It may fall on organizations like us, the people we support and their families, advocates for disability rights and many more to make our voices heard in order to continue the incredible work that we do.
The disability community is no stranger to overcoming difficulty. We share a cause with some of the most hard-working, strong, and inspiring people I have ever met. I am confident that we will pull through.
And that goes for IRI too. I am confident that we will continue to succeed. I am beyond grateful to be part of such a kind and motivated team. I want to thank our workforce for the work that they do day in and day out to better the lives of our brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors. I look forward to our collective, continued push to promote and advocate for competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities and the empowerment of our workforce.
Steve Zivolich
Board President
Suad Bisogno
CEO
Caleb Files
Training and Advocacy Manager