February Issue:

I am going to pass on including an editorial article this month. This issue is already brimming with content for you to sort through. Barney Mayse, whose comments have been previously included in my newsletter, submitted a substantive reflection on my article from last month.

Last month, I wrote about the need for employers to be be deliberate about their actions if they truly want people with disabilities to be effectively included in their workforces. (See: Employees With Disabilities: Deliberately Yours) Among the responses was this this interesting perspective from a reader in Kansas:

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"Effective and full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace will never be achieved just by taking a positive, hopeful stance. It is not going to happen through luck or happenstance. Like most other worthwhile goals, it requires proactive and intentional action."

This is a great quote.  Let's take a look at some recent, relevant information:

The following is excerpted from "National Disability Policy: A Progress Report" by the National Council on Disability published Jan. 15, 2008: "Yet despite considerable effort and investment, data consistently show an employment rate for working-age Americans with disabilities of less than one-half that for the population as a whole.  At the same time, other data show lower incomes when people with disabilities do work and generally higher levels of poverty for this segment of the population." (Pg. 125)

What I find most interesting as a person with a disability and as an advocate is that, with all of the agencies, voc rehab counselors and other folks out there, the needle for employment of people with disabilities is not moving.  From what I can tell, and numbers are a moving target, the number has remained consistent since the ADA was passed.  Is there anything wrong with this picture? 

If everyone in the world used a wheelchair and the disabled population consisted of those who walked on two legs what would the world look like? A disability is neither chosen nor volunteered for as a life choice. Disability occurs as a natural part of the life process and yet it is treated as though it is not.  Disease is part of life, disability is part of life.  Every person in the world deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their disability. 

Many employers assume (we know what that does) that they know what a disabled person can accomplish.  I challenge them to tell me what they want to have done and watch me figure out how to do it.  I realize that the transformative change which I would like to see will not occur with a single article but I personally believe that all of the studies and conferences and other irrelevant activities are not truly helping people with disabilities take back their financial independence, get them off the benefit roles and permit them the self esteem which goes with work. 

There is too much time spent telling everyone at what level the water is in the glass.  Analyzing the problem is not solving the problem.  If the time spent in analysis were spent in solving individual problems and getting people back to work the number of starfish remaining on the beach would be smaller. 

The disabled community needs proactive people who will not accept the answers we so frequently get.  The American business sector needs to understand that the risk in not hiring people with disabilities is greater than the risk of hiring them.  The disabled community needs to understand that the world does not owe them and they will have to compete.  Permit the competition to occur on a level playing field. 

The fastest path for a disabled person off the disability rolls is through employment.  I will grant you it is neither the easiest nor quickest accomplishment but people with disabilities meet challenges every single day and are the best problem solvers in the world.  Perhaps the best solution would be to have people with disabilities start their own companies and compete as only they can and transform the world of business so that it recognizes that the skills of a person are not determined by whether they have a disability but rather if they have the skill. 

Change as it applies to the global economy is part of the daily life of a person with a disability.  Communities and businesses talk about embracing change at one level while people with disabilities live change each and every moment of their lives.  The people with disabilities have a role to play in advocating for themselves with employers, educating employers and then delivering the skills need for market expansion, competitive growth and profitability. 

Every one of us has a gift.  Many of us do not know what our gifts are and so we never express or share them.  Each of us needs to share our gift with the world, the part the sands of time for that ever brief moment that is called our life.  Each of us needs to touch others and contribute what we have to the betterment of our families, friends, communities, businesses and country.  Sometimes finding the gift is the most difficult thing we could ever do, but it may be the most worthwhile. 

Every one of us has the right to dream.  How many people with disabilities dream?  If they are not dreaming, they need to be.  If you are not dreaming you need to be.  There is no time like the present to start this process. Proactive and intentional action is possible for all of us.  The question is when and how will we do it?

- Barney Mayse, Disability Advocate, The Whole Person, Inc.

ONLINE VIDEO: Look At My Ability

The Oregon Business Leadership Network and the Oregon Business Plan are co-sponsors of Look At My Ability, a new 2 ½ minute video on the largely under-tapped skilled labor pool of Oregonians with disabilities.  The video addresses the work ethic and skills represented by this labor pool. 

See: http://www.obln.org/LAMA.htm

TAX TIPS: For individuals with Disabilities and their Families

In the February issue of their EQUITY newsletter, the World Institute on Disability has included a timely and helpful summary of tax tips for people with disabilities and their families.

See:

GRANT AWARDEES: Mitsubishi Foundation

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation is dedicated to helping young people with disabilities maximize their potential and participation in society. The Foundation  has announced $1,117,000 in grants that serve young people with disabilities. “MEAF’s Inclusion Initiative has opened up opportunities for youth with disabilities in community programs,” says Rayna Aylward, executive director of the Foundation. “Equally important, it is changing attitudes among people without disabilities.  The leadership of national organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, have begun to embrace the value of inclusion—helping to demonstrate that youth with disabilities can and should be fully included in society.  These new grants are designed to keep the momentum going.”

See: http://www.meaf.org

SURVEY: Media Consumption & People with Disabilities

A STUDENT AT Columbia Business School is conducting a survey for herr paper on Media Consumption & People with Disabilities for a Consumer Behavior class. She is inviting people with disabilities answer some questions about their consumption of television, film, Internet, and radio programming. “As you probably know, the Nielsen ratings track media consumption for just about every population EXCEPT our community so the only way I can get this data is through your assistance.” All individual survey responses are anonymous and will be kept strictly confidential. Deadline for participation: March 31.

See: http://columbia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1X2E1snG4g6RNRy&SVID=Prod

EMPLOYER FOCUS: Walgreens Distribution Center, South Carolina

In our August 2006 issue, we published an interview with Randy Lewis, a VP with Walgreens about their plans to open a new distribution center in which up to 60% of its workforce would be people with disabilities. On February 11, 2008 ABC aired a report that profiled the plant – now in operation with about 40% of its workforce comprised of people with disabilities.

See: ABC article and video http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=4272981&page=1 

See: Walgreens Website for targeted recruiting of people with disabilities: http://www.walgreensoutreach.com/index.html 

NEWSLETTER – Job Accommodation Network 2008 Q1

The Job Accommodation Network has released its newsletter for the first quarter of 2008. Some of the topics covered include:

• Telecommuting Options as an Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities

• Technology to Improve Writing Skills

• Traumatic Brain Injury Accommodations: Individual Process Essential to Solution

See:

FACT SHEETS: Office of Disability Employment Policy

We typically alert readers as new Fact Sheets are released by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, but in case you have missed some, a complete listing is available on their website. Some of the topics covered:

• Recruitment and Retention

• Tax incentives for Employers

• Advising Youth with Disabilities on disclosure

• Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts

• People With Disabilities – Temporary employment Options

See: http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/publicat.htm 

RESEARCH: Employment Barriers in British Columbia

People living with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and serious conditions such as MS often find themselves in a catch-22 - unable to take on full-time year-round employment, but willing and able to work with the right supports and flexibility. A study released today urges the provincial government to adopt a series of creative recommendations that would make employment possible for many more British Columbians with significant disabilities.

See: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/Reports/2008/02/ReportsStudies
1824/index.cfm?pa=BB736455

DiversityShop

Resources on Disability and Employment

Are you interested in learning more about disability and employment issues? Are you an employer? An educator? A service provider? A job seeker with a disability? In our store, DiversityShop, we carry over 20 of the best books and videos that we have found on issues of disability and employment. Check them out now! Visit DiversityShop for more Disability and Employment Resources

New Products

Hidden Talent: How Leading Companies Hire, Retain, and Benefit from People with Disabilities $39.95 Editor: Mark L. Lengnick-Hall (Hardcover, 168 Pages) Based on a multi-year research project by a team of experts in human resource management, economics, and communications, Hidden Talent showcases the innovative practices of organizations that are actively hiring, training, and retaining people with disabilities--and thriving as a result. The authors reveal the roots of disability discrimination, and demonstrate the benefits, to employers and employees alike, of investing in disabled workers, featuring in-depth case examples.

Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities $35.00 Authors: Cary Griffin & David Hammis (Softcover, 242 Pages) Self-employment is a viable option for adults with significant disabilities — and now there’s a book that gives you the guidance you need to help individuals start and maintain their own small businesses. his guidebook shows how self-employment can work and offers the realistic, practical advice needed to get a small business off to a strong start. Whether you’re a counselor, an employment specialist, or a transition professional, you’ll benefit from the comprehensive guidance and and tools in this book.

The Job Developer's Handbook: Practical Tactics for Customized Employment $35.00 Authors: Cary Griffin, David Hammis, & Tammara Geary (Softcover, 264 Pages) This forward-thinking guide walks employment specialists step by step through customized job development for people with disabilities, revealing the best ways to build a satisfying, meaningful job around a person's preferences, skills, and goals. Internationally known for their innovative, proactive job development strategies, the authors motivate readers to expand the way they think about employment opportunities and develop creative solutions.

Working Relationships: Creating Career Opportunities for Job Seekers with Disabilities Through Employer Partnerships $35.00 Authors: Richard Luecking, Ellen Fabian, George P. Tilson (Softcover, 304 Pages) As employment specialists work to match employers with job seekers, they need to do more than understand the job seekers’ personal and professional goals — they also need to know exactly what the employers are looking for. That’s what Working Relationships is about: securing satisfying jobs for people with disabilities by fostering partnerships between employment specialists and businesses. A must-read for all employment service providers and for anyone interested in employment of people with disabilities.

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READER REQUESTS: Do you have a question?

EVENT LISTINGS

EVENT: 2008 CSUN Conference

"23rd Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference"

Los Angeles, CA ~ March 10 – 15, 2008

The longest-running and largest annual university sponsored conference on technology and persons with disabilities.

 More Information Here

EVENT: Larry Robbin Disability Employment Training Series

Sunnyvale, CA ~ March 13th, April 24th, & June 12th, 2008 

Regardless of what your job title is or what type of people or disabilities you work with, if improving employment outcomes is your goal, then don't miss these workshops! You'll leave each idea packed session with an incredible amount of best practices for your program design and direct services that you can put into use immediately. These sessions feature creative, practical, and state-of-the-art solutions to your disability employment program needs. Help open the doors to employment opportunities for people with disabilities at levels you never thought possible.

  More Information Here (pdf)

  Email Inquiries: ddrews@sensoryaccess.com

EVENT: Pacific Rim Conference

Honolulu, HI ~ April 14 & 15, 2008

The Pacific Rim Conference has evolved into one of the top rated international educational offerings for and from persons with disabilities, family members, researchers, service providers, policymakers, community leaders, advocates, and nationally recognized professionals in the various disciplines in the diverse field of disabilities.

  More Information Here

EVENT: National ADA Symposium & Expo

“Conference on the ADA and Disability Law”

St. Louis, MO ~ May 12 – 14, 2008

The National ADA Symposium is the most comprehensive conference available on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability laws.

 More Information Here

EVENT: The 19th Annual National APSE Conference

"The Winners Cup ...Everybody Works! Everybody Wins!"

Louisville, KY ~ July 9-11, 2008

The APSE conference is exclusively focused on employment of people with significant disabilities in the community, and is the forum for sharing knowledge and expertise on the latest developments and innovations in the field with APSE members from across the country. 

EVENT: Workforce Innovations 2008

“Success Decoded”

New Orleans, LA ~ July 15 – 17, 2008

Workforce Innovations 2008: Success Decoded will bring together local, state and national-level strategic workforce investment partners to learn from successes and cultivate the talent development solutions needed in today's global economy. Workforce Innovations is the premier annual conference promoting collaboration among leaders from workforce development, business, economic development, education, community-based organizations, and philanthropy.

 More Information Here 

EVENT: USBLN Annual Conference and Career Fair

“Expanding Inclusion: The Business Strategy”

Portland, OR ~ October 5 - 8, 2008

The preeminent national event for business, community leaders and Business Leadership Network chapters that have an interest in hiring, retention and marketing to people with disabilities. This year’s event promises to provide informational and educational opportunities of the highest quality.

  More Information Here