By Rob McInnes, © Diversity World, 2003

A few years ago I attended a meeting focused on employment and disability issues and led by a well-meaning corporate executive. Early in the meeting, and new to the field of employment and disability issues, he jumped to a white board and wrote down two phrases; “Business has a shortage of labor” and “70% unemployment for people with disabilities”. He then confidently announced that we had successfully defined the problem and solution, we only needed to identify the strategies to achieve our goals and, within six months, we will have solved the unemployment issue for people with disabilities. Having already spent over 20 years of my life on the “problem”, I was somewhat less confident than he was.

While much progress has been made in North America over the past four decades or so, there are still major issues to be addressed on the fronts of educational policy, technology, human rights, attitudinal change, social policy, transportation, etc. This has been a long haul and will likely continue to be one.

For those of us who are engaged in the struggle, whether as professionals in the “field” or as individual job seekers, it is easy to become weary and disillusioned. Because of this, I think it is important for each of us to consciously hold to some event, experience or vision that can motivate and empower us when we are dispirited.

Most recently, my own motivation has been bolstered by a presentation that I heard at a conference two years ago. A young mother, Terry Boisot, was recounting the years of struggle that it took to have her son Ben accepted into his neighborhood public school – years of confrontation with “authorities” that resisted her desire; because her son’s disabilities were too severe… because he wouldn’t fit in with the activities of the classroom… because he needed more “specialized” education than they could provide… because… because… because. Eventually, Terry’s perseverance paid off and her son was able to attend his neighborhood school. But, she said, she was now tired. With tears welling in her eyes, she told the audience how exhausted she was from her battle to win her son a place in his school. She explained that although he was now happy and thriving in school, she was already looking ahead to his graduation – when he would face the world of employment – where workplaces are ev ery bit as resistant to people with disabilities as his school had been. Her voice quivering, Terry expressed her fear that she won’t have the strength needed to once again overcome the prejudicial attitudes and practices that would militate against Ben finding his place of productivity and belonging – this time, in the workforce.

Terry’s situation, representing that of thousands of other families, has given me a touchstone for my own work in the disability/employment arena – the conscious awareness that every little advance that we make, today or this week or next, will increase the employment opportunities that Ben (as all other children with disabilities) will have when he graduates.

I remember another meeting that I attended. I had been asked to comment on disability issues as it pertained to diversity in the workplace. The audience was primarily workforce diversity professionals from companies in the Silicon Valley. This was also a few years ago, when high tech companies were really flourishing. I remember the hush that fell over the room as I said that, in my opinion, the workplaces in the Silicon Valley were “impoverished”. Impoverished, I explained from their lack of true diversity – from the lack of vitality and energy from a workforce where employees were invited to bring their unique selves fully into the workplace. Impoverished by workplaces where diversity is politely acknowledged; but differences aren’t truly valued and where employees still leave their true authenticity at home.

There is a definitely a qualitative difference that true diversity brings to a workplace. Over and over, I hear employers (who have hired people with disabilities) try to express it; but just can’t find the words. I wish it had a name. I wish that it could be quantified; but it remains a mysterious: “I can’t put my finger on it; but something has really changed.”

It is strange and sad that, in the early 21st century, most North American workplaces are still highly resistant to the idea of having people with disabilities on their payroll. It is strange and sad that subjective attitudes and erroneous beliefs are still at the root of most of that resistance. At the same time, it is a wondrous experience to occasionally encounter workplaces that have made the transformation – and to imagine a day when all workplaces will value and cultivate the contribution of employees with disabilities.

Going back to my earlier reference to Terry and Ben, I was thrilled to receive a recent update on Ben’s school life. I think it is a great testament to the unexpected experiences that lie in wait on the other side of the barriers of fears and prejudice.

Terry recounts…

“Ben has been included in the regular classroom of his neighborhood schools since kindergarten. The neighborhood school didn't want him at first - that was more than 8 years ago. Now they don't know what to do without him. Last Thursday evening Ben participated in a school awards ceremony. He sat in his wheelchair in the front row with 30 other kids on stage for an hour. He couldn't see the audience, but he knew his sister and I were there somewhere. He kept signing ‘Mom,’ and when one-handed signing got no action, he signed with both. Every now and then he would throw in a ‘Michelle,’ (his sister). His arms were flailing most of the event and the other kids on stage weren't distracted. I was. Near the end of the program, the principal approached the podium and by the 3rd sentence we knew this award was for Ben. He beamed from ear to ear. While it has been the highest form of honor to be Ben's mother, it has also been an honor to know the people who learn to recognize the va lue of all kids. To witness the transformation of people is extremely moving.”

These were the words of Ben’s Principal…

“The Principal’s Award recognizes a student who has made a difference to our school during their two years at Goleta Valley Junior High. This student caught my attention from the first day. Once in a while, someone crosses your path and, without meaning to, has the most profound effect on your life. This happened to me last year and has continued throughout this year. I have learned about new things to value in my life in ways I never expected or thought possible. He touches my life and the lives of others and makes a difference every single day at Goleta Valley. Wherever he goes and whatever he does, he changes people’s outlook and makes us evaluate our values and beliefs. He reminds you with his smile and his laugh that he loves being here, loves his classes and teachers, and loves learning. He has so much to offer and I for one have taken advantage of this unique opportunity. His persistence and commitment has been inspiring and we are so lucky that he shares himself with us unconditionally – a most beautiful and precious gift that I know I will always cherish. There was no doubt in my mind that the Principal Award belongs to him. It is with deep respect and admiration that I give this to him. Please help me recognize BENJAMIN BOISOT.”

Let us all be empowered with the belief that the impoverished workplaces of today will one day be likewise enriched by the contribution of Ben and all the other students with disabilities who are presently working their ways through our schools with hope and excitement for their futures.

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In last month’s Newsletter, I had commented on the need for more professional organizations of people with disabilities, and their counterparts - organizations of students with disabilities. My basic contention was that without such organizations, people with disabilities are missing out on a powerful resource for both career development and employment opportunities.

Several readers took the time to share their own thoughtful and informative responses on this topic.

Dale Brown, co-author of “Job-Hunting Tips for the So-Called Handicapped”, which she cowrote with Richard Nelson Bolles, shared the barriers that she encountered when she attempted to form a professional network of federal government employees with disabilities. According to Dale: “I read your article on professional disability groups with great interest. About ten years ago, I tried to organize a group called FEDS (Federal Employees with Disabilities). I found a few groups of federal employees with disabilities and spoke with their leaders and also organized many of my friends, most of whom, unfortunately were in the disability arena as well. The effort failed. Here are some barriers I encountered;

(1) For most of us, having a disability takes time- (self-care, self-accommodation) add that to the larger issue of expanded work hours and it is difficult to make the time to volunteer to do the myriad tasks in putting together an organization.

(2) Many people with disabilities who called me about FEDS called to complain or to get services and it was difficult to find people who wanted to give services.

(3) Cross-disability alliances were new to some.”

Contact Dale: dale-brown@mindspring.com
 

Charisse Sebastian is an Information Technology Specialist who has a disability. Passionate about employment issues, she has also served on several consumer advisory committees and worked for a state rehabilitation agency. From her perspective, people with disabilities currently don’t have the self-confidence to organize effectively.

According to Charisse the lack of effective national associations of people with disabilities “…is primarily due to a lack of self esteem and self confidence on the part of people with disabilities.” She believes that people with disabilities need to more aggressively organize themselves and quotes Bette Midler; "For Christ sake, speak up! Don’t you people get tired of being stepped on?"

Charisse notes that “the organizations (professional associations) that do exist require a highly measurable level of self esteem and confidence going in - lawyers and doctors”. She contends that, in general, people with disabilities are subjected to life experiences that continually undermine this self respect. The “ignorance on the part of people in "mainstream" society that makes put-downs and derogatory comments about people living disabilities” continually erodes their self-esteem and confidence. This is further compounded, she asserts by the “they think they know what's best for us” attitudes and practices of state and federal government agencies, funded to assist people with disabilities, that don’t respect the rights of their clients for self-determination and choice.

Contact Charisse: char-sebastian@att.net
 

Elliot Lazerwitz is a professional with a psychiatric disability. He alerted us to an informative survey on Managers with psychiatric disabilities that is highlighted later in this newsletter. Elliot is interested to know if there are any existing associations of professionals with psychiatric disabilities.

Contact Elliot: amiraelliot@bezeqint.net
 

Bob Rudney belongs to EXCEL! – a Washington DC professional association of people with disabilities that we mentioned in last month’s newsletter. Bob wrote to tell us about one of EXCEL!’s new initiatives. “We are presently initiating a partnership project with local Rotary Clubs in which we pool our two networks. EXCEL! will develop a database of EXCEL! member employment profiles that will be accessible to all Rotary members in the DC area (for jobs and mentoring). We also plan to talk to a number of Rotary Clubs, perhaps put together a panel of professionals with disabilities to respond to a variety of issues.” Bob also informed us that "EXCEL! is now putting together a "how-to" manual on establishing a professional networking organization of job seekers with disabilities."

Bob also shared his personal vision for mentoring programs: “I fully agree that we need more professional associations. I've always wanted to form Bootstrappers, Inc., an organization of self-motivated professionals with disabilities who agree to serve as mentors.”

Contact Bob: rudney_robert@bah.com
 

Judy Summers-Gates is a Chemist with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Judy wrote to let us know about a professional organization that we were unaware of: “I'd like to acquaint you with the American Chemical Society which is the world's premier professional association for chemists. ACS has had a Committee for Chemists with Disabilities (CWD) for the past 25 years and the committee has published several seminal publications focusing on the needs/abilities of chemistry students and professionals. We receive frequent requests for career assistance and while we are not a "placement service", we do help requesters with disabilities access and make the best use of ACS's excellent career services and provide first hand information and experience from working chemists with disabilities. If you would be interested in exploring & learning more about CWD, please feel free to visit our website and download any/all of the free publications.”

Visit the CWD Website: http://membership.acs.org/C/CWD/
 

This free online course can be a really nice educational tool for employment and training centers, educators, employers… just about any one. "At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities." was designed primarily for the staff of One-Stop centers. Nevertheless, it can easily be adapted for other uses. It is divided into sections like Disability Facts, Disability Etiquette, Disability Rights, Reasonable Accommodation, etc. that can be taken separately. It also has course content on issues around physical, sensory, psychiatric or cognitive disabilities. Registration is free and the course can be taken, complete or in part, at any time.

For more information… http://www.wiawebcourse.org
 

Three people with disabilities who are emerging as leaders in their respective fields will each receive $10,000 to help them continue their progress as leaders. An "emerging leader" is defined as someone who has demonstrated leadership qualities in his/her personal and/or professional life, and who is just starting to be recognized at a local, regional or national level. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) encourages emerging leaders with disabilities of any age to apply. Deadline: September 26, 2003.

For more information… http://www.aapd-dc.org/docs/2003hearne.html
 

A new Harris Poll study for the National Organization on Disability finds that the vast majority of Americans support the key elements of the Americans with Disabilities Act 13 years after its passage.

For more information… http://www.nod.org/content.cfm?id=1412
 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability Employment Policy, in cooperation with the Employment and Training Administration and the Veterans Employment and Training Service, announced the availability of up to 4 awards of $500,000-$625,000 each under a new initiative, "Ending Chronic Homelessness through Employment and Housing." The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will supplement each cooperative agreement with approximately $2-3 million per award. The purpose of these DOL grants (Cooperative Agreements) and the HUD grants is to respond to the employment and housing needs of persons who are chronically homeless (disabled). Deadline: August 18, 2003.

For more information...
 

Virginia Commonwealth University’s WorkPlace Supports has compiled a series of online testimonials from business leaders who are proactive about employing people with disabilities. These leaders are part of their “Ambassador Club” and represent the following companies: Bender Consulting, Booz Allen Hamilton, Equality Staffing, George Washington University, HighMark, ManPower, McCrone, McDonald’s, Microsoft, R. Libby and SunTrust.

For more information… http://www.worksupport.com/biznet/membership.html
 

The 6th Annual Summit of the Business Leadership Network is scheduled for San Francisco in November 2003. Program content will focus on improving the ability of employers to effectively employ people with disabilities. Featured speakers include Richard Pimentel, Michael Coleman, and Denise Bissonnette.

For more information... www.blnsummit.org
 

The U.S. Department of Labor, Civil Rights Center (CRC), in cooperation with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Disability and Employment Policy (ODEP), has developed A “WIA Section 188 Disability Checklist”. The Checklist is designed to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in programs and activities operated by recipients of financial assistance under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), including those that are part of the One-Stop delivery system. (Section 188 of WIA (WIA Section 188) ensures nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for various categories of persons, including persons with disabilities, who apply for and participate in programs and activities operated by recipients of WIA Title I financial assistance.)

For More Information (.doc format)…
 

Oct. 15, 2003 has been designated as National Disability Mentoring Day. Begun in 1999, National Disability Mentoring Day promotes career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through one-on-one job shadowing, group visits to public and private employers, and hands-on career exploration. It is held in October in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

For more information… http://www.dmd-aapd.org/
 

Diversity World's store features dozens of the best books and videos on disability and employment issues.

Visit DiversityShop... http://www.diversityshop.com/store/
 

Diversity World's True Livelihood Newsletter, by Denise Bissonnette, is a free electronic (delivered by email) monthly newsletter. It supports the work of people who are engaged in developing the careers, vocations, livelihoods, jobs and/or work of other individuals. To subscribe, just click on the "To unsubscribe/change profile" link below and add it to your preferences.

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