I think of June as a time when things start to slow down over the summer, but there are several important things we should make sure to celebrate this month.

First, we wish a very Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who work hard to make sure that their loved ones have what they need. As I shared last month, Quality Trust’s Family Ties of DC program offers information, resources, and emotional support from a fellow parent that has faced similar challenges. However, we need and don’t currently have a father to support new fathers with questions and concerns about caring for and supporting a child with a disability. If you or someone you know would like to give back to other fathers, please reach out to Rhonda White at rwhite@dcqualitytrust.org.

In addition, June is Pride Month to celebrate and honor the history of people who identify as LGBTQ+. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and people with other sexual identities who do not identify as straight or the sex they were born with. In a recent study done by the Human Rights Commission, they found that a higher percentage of people who identify as LGBTQ+ reported having a disability (36%) than in the non-LGBTQ+ community (25%). Cognitive disabilities were the most commonly reported disability.

People with IDD have faced a long history of discrimination in education, employment, and community living. People with IDD who are LGBTQ+ have faced even more barriers in finding acceptance, in not only the general public, but also among other people with disabilities and other people who identify as LGBTQ+. The long-held beliefs that people with IDD are not sexual and do not have sexual urges have denied them important information, education, and empowerment. This month is an important reminder that we must support people with IDD of all genders and sexualities so that they can stay safe, feel accepted, and truly belong in their community.

Finally, Quality Trust is celebrating the end of a very successful partnership with Compass Pro Bono, an amazing organization that matches nonprofits with pro bono business experts so that they can improve their infrastructure and stability. Over the last eight months, Quality Trust’s Compass team built a marketing strategy to help us move closer from vision to reality for a new consulting service called Dimensions of Support that we hope to offer outside the DC area later this year. Their support was invaluable, and we are so appreciative of their time and expertise!