Lucia Rios has been a lifelong resident of Holland, Michigan. Born with spina bifida, she has used crutches and a wheelchair since childhood. Lucia has never seen her disability as something that limits what she can do, but it has given her many opportunities she wouldn’t have had otherwise. She feels having a disability is not the barrier, but it’s the attitudes and physical structures around her that create a disabling environment.
She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism and Comparative Religion in 2002 from Western Michigan University. It was while attending college that her awareness for discrimination and disability issues took place. Having a physical disability prepared her for challenges, but it was not until she had to maneuver through an older campus that access played a key role in her life. While advocating for herself on campus, she found herself advocating for others with disabilities as well. Her passion for making others aware about issues people with disabilities faced on campus was so strong. Because of this she used her writing assignments as a way to reach her peers and professors without disabilities.
Oddly enough it was an article written about her as she was graduating from college, which led to a phone call that changed her direction in life. The phone call was from the Executive Director at Disability Network/Lakeshore. Lucia never dreamed she could work for an organization that was as passionate as she was about disability issues.
For the past eight years she has worked for Disability Network/Lakeshore as an Accessibility Specialist and Youth Services Coordinator. She educates the community about disability etiquette, accessibility and employment barriers, as well as one-on-one work with adults and youth with disabilities. She is an active freelance writer for Creative Path Solutions and has also worked as a News Aide and Freelance Writer for The Grand Rapids Press – Lakeshore Bureau for five years.
Lucia encourages everyone to look past the exterior of someone and truly get to know the person for who he or she is. She encourages you not to let assumptions or fear prevent you from meeting some awesome individuals.