Individual Advocacy Group and the Modern Civil Rights Battle

Although most civil battles tend to focus on issues of discrimination based on race, the term includes much more. For example, the United States is a home to many people who are diagnosed with a disability. Unfortunately, that is affecting their daily lives in a way that many do not even recognize. Additionally, the cases that include discrimination based on disability are becoming more and more common. So, how does one fight a battle so important? Well, Dr. Charlene Bennett of Individual Advocacy Group has a plan that is working rather well.

Understanding the Issue

First, one must fully comprehend the nature of disability-based discrimination as depicted by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. According to them, it is every case of unfavorable treatment towards qualified individuals covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act. To showcase an example that often takes place in real life, consider employers in need of physical labor. Often times, they are likely to refuse to hire disabled individuals out of fear that the job may be above their abilities. The problem, however, is the fact that such prejudice-based mindset is illegal and factually inaccurate.

Helping

This is where individuals like Dr. Charlene Bennett, the founder and CEO of Individual Advocacy Group (IAG), come in. Operating as a non-profit organization, IAG helps individuals to claim their rightful employment opportunities. One of the ways that they achieve such result is by holding those who discriminate accountable for their actions. But beyond the basic employment discrimination, the group also deals with another issue seen too often. Housing discrimination for disabled individuals.

Housing Discrimination

As unbelievable as it may seem, the United States is still witnessing many cases of housing discrimination. Shockingly, this has nothing to do with the validity of applications, background checks, and other verification requirements. Instead, it solely pertains to denying housing options to individuals based on their disability. Given such absurd instance of ignorant behavior, how would one help those affected?

Placement Programs

The easiest way to help individuals affected is to organize placement programs that will help them attain housing. Such programs usually require partnerships with local housing authorities. In simple terms, they will enable people to be pre-approved for the unit they are applying for. Meaning, the process is simplified and disabled individuals are basically guaranteed a safe home. In case of the Individual Advocacy Group, this is achieved by working with host families, community integrated living, home-based services, and more.

Raising Awareness

Ultimately, an area where most people who face these problems need help is to raise awareness. The public in the nation tends to be unaware of problems that many protected groups face on an on-going basis. Sometimes, media coverage causes biased views that are skewed by political agendas. Then again, there are instances where these cases just do not make it to the big screen. Thus, one of the most important ways everyone can help is by raising awareness. As shown by the Individual Advocacy Group, this can be achieved through community involvement.

Just consider, for example, the not so distant history of housing discrimination in Gilroy. As recently as 2013, HELP (or the Housing Equality Law Project) uncovered widespread violations in many California communities where individuals were being denied access to housing based on factors like sex, race, or religion. In response, HELP, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), insisted that companies found to be in violation undertake a strict training program aimed at preventing these occurrences in the future.

These agencies determined that “the Fair Housing Act may be violated by a housing practice that has a discriminatory effect even if the practice was not motivated by a discriminatory intent.” To that end, it was decided that the best way to combat this issue is not through overwhelming punitive damages or criminal charges, but rather through training and awareness campaigns. As we enter the latter half of 2018, it’s important to reflect on the progress being made and to come together as a community to work toward the advancement of equal opportunity for all Gilroy residents.