Donald Carson, MTSTCIL board member

Donald Carson has been a consumer of services at Mountain State Centers for Independent Living since 1995 and a board member for the past ten years.

During this time Donald has seen many changes for the better for persons with disabilities, especially public awareness around people with disabilities as well as the mainstreaming of people with disabilities in everyday life.

Advocacy is one of the federally mandated core services of a center for independent living. During his time with Mountain State Centers for Independent Living, Donald has learned to become an active advocate in his community.

If you live in the Raleigh County area, you may have seen Donald doing a "walk through accessibility survey". When new businesses open in the area, such as restaurants, Donald and other consumers of Mountain State services will visit the business to see if it is accessible for all. As a wheelchair user, Donald will make sure that pathways in and around the business are clear, that he can maneuver his wheelchair through the aisles and has access to the bathrooms. If it is not possible for him to do these things, he will talk to the manager about complying with ADA standards.

Donald, and other advocates from Mountain State, find that most businesses want to be accessible to customers and their advocacy efforts have made it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy the community public and retail spaces. Their efforts have also benefited businesses by bringing in new customers.

Donald is active in the Kids ADA program in Raleigh County. During the month of October, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living visits local third grade classrooms to talk to children about different disabilities, issues related to accessibility and educates the children on the importance of seeing the person and not the disability. Donald has found that through the years the children have become more open and relaxed around people with disabilities.

As a board member, Donald represents Mountain State during legislative sessions at the state capitol. Donald visits legislators to talk to them about current issues and bills pertaining to people with disabilities. He has been an active participant in helping to maintain funding for the Ron Yost program which provides personal assistance services to people with disabilities in West Virginia; and, the Community Living Services Program, which, among other things, provides ramps and home modifications for people with disabilities in West Virginia. He was active in getting such bills as the Lemon Law and Voter Access passed.

Donald is very active as a consumer and advocate for Mountain State Centers for Independent Living. He participates in various public awareness presentations. You may see Donald at the Crossroad Mall, a community health fair or at an Open House at the Beckley office. Donald enjoys talking to people about the services at the center, including learning new skills and how to improve the home and social life of people with disabilities.

Donald is also an officer in the Consumer Advocacy and Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities. Recently the Governor appointed Donald to the board of the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council.