How a Community Can Save Disabled People

We have a tendency, no matter who we are, to take community for granted.  

It is understandable – we are typically born into one without even realising it, and society is formulated by relying on it. There is a steady chain of command that is always ticking along around us, keeping the processes going that we would be lost without. We come into this world in some of community, even if do not speak of or see it.  

We can end up immersed in all we have known, to the point that we have no idea what else is out there in the world. It means we lack the experience of other cultures or anyone with a story that differs from the way our own has looked.  

Discovering the disabled community 

In fact, it can also lead to society ostracising those that would be considered ‘different’ from the community it knows – and the greatest rebellion is when the supposed outcasts form a community of their own. 

I had no idea there was even such a thing as a disabled community. We tend to not go looking for what we do not think will be of importance in our own lives. We do not seem to realise that becoming disabled is something that can happen to any one of us, at any moment in time.  

Most of us will become disabled at some point in our life. It seems strange that society does not prepare for that to be the case.  

It does not happen the way we are led to believe, you know. It is not always a sudden accident, and there is certainly no guidebook on how to cope with it being your new normal. I had no idea I even was disabled until someone suggested that a wheelchair might help my mobility issues.  

There is no clear direction that you are pointed in. There was no guidebook, or clear direction to follow. I stumbled upon the disabled community by accident – and found an incredible, vibrant group of people who understood my journey in ways others couldn’t. They are in the comment sections on social media, hidden in online forums when you are looking for answers to questions you have not worked out how to ask yet. Others that have shared the experience of the world you are living through. Whether born with a condition or developing a disability because of injury/sickness, we have all known a version of the world that has behind the curtain the entire time.  

It means that you could form these intense connections with these people, even if they are strangers. How could you not, when these people understand you in a way that others might never be able to? It is no mistake that the people I get to call my very best friends are other members of the disabled community. 

The Power of Connection 

There is a trust in one another that (in my opinion) is hard to find elsewhere. It is these connections that can transform our lives, turning once strangers into lifelong friends.  

The thing is, at ORA, the value of these relationships is recognised. That’s why we launched our Refer and Earn scheme – which rewards our customers for recommending the service to others in the disabled community. We know that when one member vouches for our service, it carries an immense weight; no one understands the needs of disabled people better than those who share similar experiences.  

We’re proud to get to support a community that continues to empower and inspire and hope to continue to aid in helping disabled individuals connect with accessible transport options. 

How ORA supports the community 

Mobility is an essential part of staying connect to friends, family, and the world around us. At ORA, we understand the challenges the disabled community face, and we’re committed to making the process of accessible transport options as easy as possible. Here are just some of the ways we can help; 

Flexible WAV rentals – we take bookings from 1 day to 1 year, or anything in between. 

Transparent pricing – no hidden costs, making it easier to budget for transportation. 

Nationwide service – no matter where you are based, we will deliver and collect your wheelchair accessible vehicle. 

People can forget that any human being needs a community to survive, and all too often forgo the idea that disabled people are humans too. A sense of community is not a privilege but a right: one that is live saving.