Peace Love ACCESSibility (PLA), a new Connecticut-based grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to creating more accessible and inclusive communities.

 

 

 

Our mission is to empower individuals by advocating for universal access and promoting awareness about the importance of accessibility for all, especially people with mobility impairments. Our organization is driven by a strong family commitment to making public spaces, services, and opportunities available to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Through community outreach, education, and partnerships with local stakeholders, we work to ensure that accessibility is not just a policy, but a reality that enhances the lives of Connecticut residents.

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Why did I decide to do this work?  Let me tell you a little about myself and my family. My name is Alex Bode, and I am the Executive Director of Peace Love ACCESSibility (PLA). We are a family of three, my mom, brother and myself.  We grew up in a very typical lifestyle.  I loved dance, my brother loved sports.  Our mom had just fulfilled her dream of opening a small local boutique where the three of us could build and carry on.  Two months after opening, my brother began having difficulty walking.  He was 8 and I was 5 years old.  Everything happened quickly and my brother was diagnosed with a rare progressive illness called Friedreich’s Ataxia.  I was diagnosed two years later.  This disease is relentless and horrible, however, that isn’t what we focus on.  Driven by the example our mom set for us, my brother and I learned early on that you can’t let anything stop you.  Our mom began fundraising for research, then when the time came began advocating for our rights.  We also learned that if you want something bad enough you will work hard to achieve it. We both attended college and earned our bachelor’s degrees and I went on to earn my master’s degree in social work. Both of our goals changed but our drive and determination never waivered.  

I was astonished when I found that although we both had degrees and a strong commitment to work, finding access to employment was impossible. People just couldn’t see past the physical differences we both had.  My passion was to help people, I just didn’t know how that would play out.  At the same I began noticing access into our community was also getting more difficult.  

One day it hit me that I  could make a difference for a whole lot of people and began looking for nonprofits who focused on making good change by improving access.  I was surprised to find there wasn’t an organization addressing this important issue.

I sat down with my mom, and we decided we’d make the effort to put my passion in motion.  

 

As we continue to grow, we are eager to collaborate with stakeholders who share our vision for a more inclusive future. I would be honored, if you can find the time, to explore our website to check out our initiatives and help us spread the word. With us all working together PLA can open more doors for individuals who face accessibility challenges in their daily lives.