Rooted in the ingenuity of everyday Americans, the spirit of service reminds us that we are all united by a common purpose. For generations, the national service family has rallied around this ideal to advance the cause of equal access for Americans with disabilities. And this month, as we honor the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we continue to celebrate the unique contributions that our friends and neighbors with disabilities have made to the national service community.
We should also be reminded of the many ways that service can be a bridge for any American who wants to hone a skill set, broaden personal and professional networks, and gain exposure to new career prospects. Whether it is discovering a passion for teaching children how to read or launching a mentoring program, Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life have chartered new territory and discovered new employment paths while serving in AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs.
Americans with disabilities have been an important part of the national service story. Along the way, they have helped others broaden their understanding of what having a disability means.
Deon, an AmeriCorps alum, represents the kind of spirit and devotion that AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers show every day.
After he was born, Deon was diagnosed with meningitis. This diagnosis led to hearing loss in both ears. But his strong sense of optimism led him to apply to the AmeriCorps NCCC program. During his service term, Deon helped build houses in South Dakota, served alongside the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts in Louisiana, and cleared trails in Wisconsin.
Today, Deon is now employed as a case manager for individuals with behavioral and emotional challenges and helps support deaf autistic children.
"Being deaf didn't stop me from being successful," he said. "When I educate people about my deafness, they teach me something about life in return."
When I visit any one of our 60,000 service sites and locations across the country, I often meet national service participants like Deon who are using their creativity to improve the service experience for themselves and others. That is why part of our focus this month should be ensuring that we are living up to the expectations outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Join the conversation by sharing your service inclusion stories via Twitter. Be sure to use the hashtag #Service4All to find ideas that could help your community be a more inclusive place to engage in service.
Each and every one of us can do something to strengthen our nation's culture of inclusion. As President Barack Obama reminds us, "No matter what our circumstances, we all have the power to make a difference in the lives of others."
Together, let us ensure that more Americans have this opportunity.
Wendy Spencer is the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs.