Whether it’s the option to hit the treadmill at the gym, work at the job of your choice or rent your first apartment, it can be easy to take independence for granted. However, many people in our community have to deal with the challenges of accessibility due to disability. Paraquad envisions an integrated society that is free of barriers and discrimination. For more than five decades, the center for independent living has empowered people with disabilities, offering them more choice and greater opportunities for independence.
Paraquad was founded in 1970 by Max Starkloff. Following a car accident, Starkloff had been living in a nursing home, but he was ready to live independently. His search for services to help him make the transition led to the nonprofit’s creation. In its 55-year history, the organization has become a major force behind initiatives to increase accessibility in St. Louis. “We were one of the first cities in the U.S. to have curb cuts, which is a direct result of Paraquad’s advocacy,” senior director of programs Briana Conley says. “We’ve also been active in improving accessibility in public transport and helping ensure that people with disabilities can maintain personal care services through Medicaid even as their household income rises, so they can get married and focus on building meaningful careers.”
As a pioneer in disability rights, Paraquad was one of the first 10 independent living centers in the U.S. to receive federal funding. Paraquad connects people to a hub of services in areas like independent living, employment, assistive devices and personal care attendants, and the majority of its staff and board are people with disabilities, which offers the nonprofit a unique perspective. “Peer support is a major piece of what we do, and it allows us to better assist the community we serve,” Conley notes. “For example, our Bloom Culinary Training Program is the only one of its kind in Missouri. In this 15-week training course, individuals earn the certifications needed to work in hospitality and food service, allowing them to take an important step toward independence.”
One of Paraquad’s major initiatives is the Stephen A. Orthwein Center. The fully accessible fitness center provides people with disabilities and older adults facing mobility challenges with the resources to achieve a variety of cardiovascular, strength and mobility goals. In addition to open individual workouts and group classes, the center offers one-on-one training with adaptive exercise specialists, online options for people who cannot attend in person, and state-of-the-art robotic and functional electrical stimulation equipment.
Paraquad’s long history of advocacy and service has left its mark on St. Louis. Conley notes that the nonprofit remains committed to its mission. “We are a foundational part of the community,” she says. “Over the last 55 years, Paraquad has had tangible success in ensuring that St. Louis and the world are more accessible. We’re looking forward to another five decades of empowering people. Life is a journey for everyone, and we are here to equip people with disabilities with the resources they need to navigate it successfully and independently.”
Paraquad champions equity and independence for people with disabilities through services, partnerships, education and advocacy. Pictured on the cover: Dianne Cummins, Teona McGhaw-Ward, Earnest Patton, Stephanie McDowell, Lisa Petty. For more information, call 314.289.4200 or visit paraquad.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured at the top: The Stephen A. Orthwein Center is a fully accessible fitness center.
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
