Accessibility Bridge Corporation 4660 Crain Hwy #1622, White Plains, MD 20695
Our Beginning
Our Beginning
Dee Sapp, Founder and Executive Director of The Accessibility Bridge Corporation, has a son with both an intellectual disability and autism. Over the course of his secondary school years, there were many obstacles and barriers placed in his way by people, systems and programs that lacked both the empathy and knowledge it took to instruct and interact with a person with different abilities. The “one size fits all” approach to services and assistance proved more of a detriment to him than as support.
As a mom that passionately believed that her son deserves equitable opportunities for an independent and successful life, Dee always sought more meaningful and accommodating ways for her son to thrive. As her son, now 20, approached adulthood, she learned that new challenges were on the horizon. In researching colleges for her son, Dee realized that for him to receive the assistance and acceptance he needed to flourish, it would require him to leave their state to receive it. While not the preferable choice, it was a necessary step in his goal of self-sufficiency and independence.
In Dee’s research of programs, schools, employers, therapists, etc, she learned that there's a world of inclusive communities that her son could tap into if she was willing to embrace him leaving the “comfort” and "security" of his current community in order to experience it. This is how Accessibility Bridge was born and the beginning of our nonprofit journey.
Often, people with disabilities (PWD) become complacent within their communities or situations because they feel “stuck” or are unaware of the options that are available to them. There are inclusive communities in the world that are accepting, inclusive and supportive of people with disabilities and connecting PWD with those resources or communities is key to unlocking doors to better housing, employment, educational, athletic and relationship opportunities. The Accessibility “Bridge” will provide PWD the connections needed to optimize success and broaden their pursuits to happiness.
What makes Accessibility Bridge unique is the passion behind the mission and the lifetime-vested interest that the founder has with the inclusion movement. Our organization is rooted in love and its branches will continue to grow and blossom with the support of community members like you!
As Dee travels this journey alongside her son, who is now a Team USA Paralympian, she continues to trailblaze paths and highlight successes for others seeking like opportunities or experiences.
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