Paraquad

As wraps up, we’re sharing a story of ingenuity, resistance, and the vital role Deaf activists have played in the disability rights movement.

During the historic 1977 Section 504 Sit-In in San Francisco, disability rights activists occupied a federal building for nearly a month, demanding that the government enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act — a landmark civil rights protection prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.

As the protest continued, officials attempted to force demonstrators out by cutting off phone service and restricting access to food, medicine, and other necessities.

But the activists found ways to keep communicating. Deaf protesters used American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate through the building’s windows with supporters outside, helping the demonstrators bypass the communication blockade and continue organizing.

It’s a powerful reminder that accessibility is more than an accommodation. Communication access creates connection, builds community, and — sometimes — becomes an act of resistance.

The 504 Sit-In helped change the course of disability rights in America, and Deaf activists were an important part of that history.

As Deaf Awareness Month comes to a close, we celebrate the Deaf community, honor the advocates who helped pave the way, and recommit ourselves to a world where everyone has the right to communicate, participate, and be heard.

Paraquad is proud to be a safety net agency! Through our partnership with United Way of Greater St. Louis, we’re able to help strengthen families, support individuals, and create opportunities that build a more stable future for our community. Together, we’re part of a network of more than 150 local nonprofits making a lasting difference across our region.

When communities come together, neighbors today while building a strongertomorrow. by giving, volunteering, or getting involved at helpingpeople.org.

The will have a delayed start next Thursday, October 1. The center will open at 1 p.m.

Reminder: If you are using a Red ADA Gateway Card, you need to have it replaced with an ADA Ride On Card by September 30. You can request a replacement card online, by phone or in-person.

The Red Gateway Cards are not compatible with the new fare system, and will no longer be accepted effective on September 30. Get all the details and replacement information below: metrostlouis.org/nextstop/notice-red-gateway-card-users-must-replace-cards-before-sept-30

Paraquad is honored to sponsor this year's FestAbility: A Celebration of Disabilities! We look forward to seeing you on Sunday at Missouri History Museum.

🤠 We had a rootin’ tootin’ good time Friday night at the second annual Bulls, Broncs, and Budweiser® Rodeo!

Nearly 800 guests gathered under the stars for this one-of-a-kind evening supporting Paraquad and the Stephen A. Orthwein Center. And the best part? Together, we raised more than HALF A MILLION DOLLARS to continue making independence accessible!

We are incredibly grateful to our event chairs, sponsors, in-kind donors, volunteers, staff, and every friend of Paraquad who helped make this year’s Rodeo such a success. Your generosity helps ensure people with disabilities have access to the programs, resources, and opportunities they need to live with greater independence, choice, and dignity.

To everyone who saddled up and joined us: thank you for making our second annual Rodeo a night to remember! 🐎

Voting access is a disability rights issue. Voters with disabilities have the right to accessible voting options, including accessible voting systems at polling places.

Today, Paraquad’s Public Policy and Advocacy team led a special training for staff. During “Voting Is Your Right,” team members heard from St. Louis County Board of Elections staff about how we can all make voting more accessible, and staff got hands-on experience with the Access Writer, an ADA-accessible voting booth.

During , we encourage you to take a few steps to make sure you’re prepared for the November election and future elections:

✅ Check your voter registration and make sure your information is up to date.
✅ Learn about your voting rights and the accessible voting options available to you.
✅ Make a plan for how, when, and where you’ll vote.
✅ Share accessible, accurate voting information with your community.

The deadline to register to vote in Missouri’s November 3 General Election is coming soon: October 7, 2026.

Paraquad is proud to lead the REV UP Missouri coalition and partner with American Association of People with Disabilities and other organizations across the state to build the power of the disability vote by increasing civic engagement in the disability community and working to improve the accessibility of elections.

To get involved with REV UP Missouri or learn more, email [email protected].

Tomorrow is the day! Rain or shine or mud - we'll be celebrating Paraquad and the Stephen A. Orthwein Center at Bulls, Broncs, and Budweiser®!

We'll have food and drinks, a live rodeo, music from The Mighty Pines and Mänship, pop-up shops to create your custom bandanas, cowboy hats, and trucker hats, and so much more!

Can't come? You can still support our mission to make independence accessible by making a contribution at https://tinyurl.com/supporttherodeo

Share your thoughts about what reliable, resilient, and relevant public transportation service in North County looks like by stopping by our Town Hall at Metro’s North County Transit Center.

The survey can also be taken here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JXS66KR

We’re at the Metro North County Transit Center for the St. Louis Metropolitan Alliance for Reliable Transit (S.M.A.R.T.) and Metro Town Hall!

Have Thoughts on Improving North County Transit Service? Come Tell Us on September 3. Metro Transit is teaming up with the St. Louis Metropolitan Alliance for Reliable Transit (SMART) to host a town hall at the North County Transit Center to ask the question: What would reliable, resilient and relevant transit service in North St. Louis County look like to you? SMART is a coalition o...