Celebrating Black History Month

By Laurette Olivier, MSE

The Disability Rights Movement and Black Americans’ fight for civil rights have always been entangled. Legal cases and decisions have served as an effective instrument to bring forward much-needed support and change in both causes.

Black American pioneers with disabilities have made an immeasurable impact on Black History. According to The Center for Learner Equity, Lois Carter was a Black disability activist who played a plaintiff role in the Olmstead vs. L.C. Supreme Court case, which confirmed the right of people with disabilities to live independently. The Olmstead case laid the groundwork for present-day community living settings facing adversity. Such adversities are prevalent with the decrease in the push for the closure of intermediate care facilities.

Johnnie Lacy was a Black disability rights activist who played an essential part in the independent living movement. Lacy’s passion for disability rights and the independent living movement was aroused by her disabilities and the discrimination she endured due to her disabilities. The Center for Learner Equity reports that Lacy helped establish the Berkeley Center for Independent Living. She was also the director of a nonprofit organization named Community Resources for Independent Living, which offered services such as mentoring people with disabilities.

This Black History Month, Boundless is proud to celebrate all the Black American pioneers that have contributed to the progress made for people with disabilities and Black Americans with disabilities. We recognize the many hardships faced by people with disabilities and Black Americans with disabilities, and we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to the people we serve through our person-centered services and our mission to build a world that realizes the boundless potential of all people.

Laurette Olivier has been an I Am Boundless team member for twenty years. She recently joined the HR team as an HR generalist focusing on employee relations. Laurette's family hails from Haiti, but Laurette is a New Yorker at heart, and a Buckeye by location! She has a BA in substance abuse counseling and an MS in clinical mental health counseling.