Spotlight

Gwyn Jones
Division of Human Development and Disability

Disability is now recognized as a major public health concern, and we in the Disability and Health Team have an abiding commitment to promote the health and well-being of people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan.

Many people still view disability as a tragedy, and some individuals fear people with disabilities. Yet, people with disabilities make positive contributions to society every day, and they don’t consider their lives tragic. As a person with multiple disabilities, I can tell you that disability brings an added dimension to life that makes living adventurous. I’ve had to get creative to overcome environmental and attitudinal barriers. I’ve had to fight exclusion from participation because of people’s negative thinking about my capabilities. Sometimes that’s very frustrating, but most of the time, it’s energizing. I’ve met wonderful people that I might never have met. I’ve had incredible opportunities that I might never have had—all because of having disabilities. And my life is richer for that.

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