The Role of Disability Issues in Global Health Policy
According to the World Health Organization (2009), approximately 650 million people currently live with a disability – about 1 percent of the world's population – and of these, 200 million are children. By these estimates, having a disability places a person in the world's largest minority group, a minority group that anyone can join at any point.
A Word from the President
Keystone: What's in a Name?
The roots of our mission to create opportunities for growth and meaningful life choices so all people can be valued, contributing members of their community can be found in our name. Although we were not conscious of it when Keystone was founded, our name carries a great deal of symbolism that reflects our mission and vision.
A keystone is the highest and strongest point of an arch. Historically, stone masons would place all of the irregular stones in a pile and use only the most uniform stones to build the foundation and walls of a structure. When they were ready to complete the arch, though, they turned to this irregular pile of stones to find the keystone. To view photographs of keystones from around the world, please visit our photo gallery of keystones.
The keystone may be irregularly shaped, different from the rest of the stones in the building, but it has a critical role to play in the integrity of the structure. As the highest and strongest point of an arch, it bears the weight of the arch and the building around it. The keystone is the stone that supports the entire structure and keeps it standing. Often, the arch is so strong that it will remain standing long after the rest of the building has crumbled.
The arch is a highly organized structure, and it provides a doorway into or out of the building and access to the community. Doors are an important part of our Keystone history, and they can both grant and deny access. Before the Harrisburg State Hospital closed in 2006, many doors were closed and locked for people with disabilities. Thousands of people were systematically excluded from the privileges and protection of full citizenship.
Keystone worked hard to create a comprehensive system of care and community alternatives, and soon the Harrisburg State Hospital opened its doors and the people who had been locked behind them rejoined society and received support through Keystone's and the region's community programs. In that process, we opened a door to freedom, family, community, healing, productivity, and most importantly full participation in our society.
Disability is an inherent part of the human experience. Like the keystone, people with disabilities are often rejected and excluded because they don't seem to fit the mold of society. But just as the keystone is an essential part of the arch, we all play an important role in society, regardless of our disabilities or abilities. Without the irregularly shaped keystone, the arch would fail. For our community to be as strong as it can be, we need everyone to be fully participating members.
As I have traveled the world, I have found that the keystone is a universal component of the structure of civilization. It can literally be found everywhere. In its symbolic role, the keystone serves as a constant reminder of the consequences of the segregation and isolation of an individual or group solely because of qualities that are no fault of their own. The definition of who is a valued member of society and who gets locked out or who gets locked in is ultimately a political decision. As political winds change, we are all at risk of being on the wrong side of the door. We have a responsibility to ensure that the arch grants access, opportunity and participation, assuring that everyone has a place at the table of life.
Dennis
New Inside
Progress Toward Community Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Since the 1960s, states have been working to build effective, community-based systems of services and supports for children and adults with disabilities. Thousands of people moved out of institutions and rejoined the community. On June 22, 2010, Nancy Thaler, the executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), spoke before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about the successes and challenges that states have experienced as they established opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be fully participating and contributing members of the community.
Read Nancy Thalor’s discussion on deinstitutionalization and community-based services.
KHS in the News
Award-winning author and veteran foreign correspondent Joyce Davis wrote an article for The Patriot News about our connection to Beslan, Russia. Following the Beslan school hostage crisis in September 2004, we offered our support to our Russian colleagues to provide community-based services for the children and families directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy. With the support of grants from international aid organizations and individual donors, we continue our support to Beslan to this day.
Read the article “Keystone Human Services Touches People Worldwide”
Joyce Davis is the founder of the World Affairs Council and is a board member of Keystone Human Service International.
Puppy Cam
Watch the Gemstones litter live on the puppy cam! SSD Pearl gave birth to seven puppies on July 4, and now you can watch them grow, play, and cuddle with their brothers and sisters! Meet these precious gems: Coral, Opal, Aquamarine, Topaz, Tanzanite, Amber and Diamond.
The Gemstones puppies will be lighting up the screen until they're eight weeks old, when they'll join their puppy raiser families. Send the puppies a birthday gift to get them off to a good start!
Watch the Gemstones on the puppy cam.
Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP)
Keystone Autism Services was selected to be the first provider of services for the Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP). ACAP was developed by the Bureau of Autism Services to support adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. ACAP provides comprehensive, personalized services that are individually tailored to each person's strengths, needs and preferences. Our clinicians and community support professionals develop and arrange supports based on each person's Individual Support Plan (ISP), with the goal of assisting each person to lead a meaningful life in the community.
If you are at least 21 years old and live in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster or Chester Counties, you may be eligible for services through ACAP. To find out if you qualify, read the eligibility requirements.
ACAP will initially serve 200 adults. To learn more about ACAP or for more information about enrolling, visit keystoneautism.org.
Recovery: In Our Own Words
Recovery is a journey! Keystone Community Mental Health Services believes that people can and do recover from mental illness. KCMHS' Leadership Council and Recovery Specialists are sharing their personal stories of recovery in their book Recovery: In Our Own Words. They present powerful stories of strength and inspiration that give readers a message of hope for the future. Each book costs $15, and all proceeds benefit activities for the individuals who use KCMHS services. We hope you find inspiration for your own journey to recovery and the journeys of those you care about.
Order Recovery: In Our Own Words online
Good to Know
KC&FS Foster Care and Host Homes
Open your heart and your home. Become a therapeutic foster care or host home family.
Keystone Children & Family Services is looking for families or individuals who are willing to open their home and provide care, love and support for children who cannot live in their own homes.
The foster care and host home programs lets children live in a family environment within the community. Children in the programs range in age from birth to 21, and reside in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry or York Counties.
Click here to learn more about foster care and host homes or call Keystone Children & Family Services at 717-541-9620 or 1-888-438-1390.
Feature
Cartridges 4 Canines
Reduce your office clutter and turn your trash into treasure by participating in Cartridges 4 Canines, a fundraising initiative to benefit Susquehanna Service Dogs. The Keystone Partnership is partnering with Higher Information Group to launch this used ink and toner cartridge drive, which channels environmental awareness to generate financial support for the significant services provided by Susquehanna Service Dogs. Individuals and companies in Central Pennsylvania can arrange for regular collection of their used inkjet and toner cartridges by Higher Information Group or other Keystone volunteers, and all proceeds from the recycled cartridges will go toward the breeding, training and placement of service, hearing and therapy dogs for children and adults with disabilities.
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