DisabilityWorks,inc.

Why Disability?

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:03:00 +0000

Why Disability? Such a large and nebulous question BUT a question we must ask in different contexts. Over the course of the next year we will ask this very question in different contexts as well as seek your thoughts so that we may grow this idea and we begin to find new solutions. The next blog entry will discuss Why Disability is important to the future of the American Economy!

Corporate America and our Veterans: A Brief Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 18:19:00 +0000

As America slowly comes out of this recession it is so important that we do not forget our brave men and women who served in uniform. For C-Suite executives this is should be seen as a critical moment in helping the US be competitive in the global economy. For many of these young men and women who served have been highly trained and can be a valuable asset to American companies. Being part of a flat world it is vital for upper management to find every competitive advantage they can find. As we enter 2011 I implore these executives to see the inherent value that these veterans can serve in their organizations. This is all I have to say for now but I hope that will begin to look into the ROI and see that this choice is not just a great business choice but a truly patriotic one as well.

Welcome to 2011 & the New DisabilityWorks,inc Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:31:00 +0000

It is finally a New Year & a new dawn for DisabilityWorks,inc. Our goal has always been to provide high value content to our audience. This year we will discuss a whole host of topics from business strategies, employment, veterans issues, aging and disabilities to parenting.We have only only scratched the surface in what is possible going forward. I hope that readers will take this journey with us & offer suggestions and thoughts to provide the most valuable information going forward. Enjoy!

Autism Awareness Month

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:07:00 +0000

As April roles around it is once again Autism Awareness month. In 2010 what does this actually mean? From my perspective it is a way to inform, educate and demystify the realities of what autism is AND what it's not! There has been a tremendous amount of confusion over the years of how autism is defined. Many see it as it is portrayed in popular culture with such films as "Rain Man" or hearing celebrities like Jenny McCarthy who claims that autism can be cured.

The reality is that autism is a spectrum and there is no one single definition. It is in constant flux and that has been clearly seen by the medical communities stance that the diagnosis of aspergers will no longer be a criteria in the new Diagnostic Statistical Manual. It will be brought into the fold of autism spectrum disorder.

More recently we are seeing a radical change in how autism is viewed. Very much on the heals of the Disability Civil Rights Movements people with autism (particularly those with high functioning autism and aspergers) have stated that there is true value in neurodiversity & that difference is not a disability - just difference!

This new approach will have a significant impact on the cultural ramifications of autism and disability as a whole. This harkens back to the basic socio-cultural model of disability and the struggle for equality.

As the second decade of the 21st Century is upon us it maybe time to see that the human expierence is broad and that the concept of "normalcy" or acceptable can be redefined.

Healthcare

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:18:00 +0000

I am watching the news with great ferver like many American are today! We are at a watershed momment where a healthcare bill is about to be passed and change the landscape for millions of Americans. As a person with a disability who has had some contentious days with insurance companies trying to gain health insurance even though I have a pre-existing conditions. After the healthcare bill is signed into law millions of people with disabilities lives will be completley transformed in ways that are not even concieved as of yet. This is a great day in American life!

Temple Grandin

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:06:00 +0000

I just finished watching the HBO film "Temple Grandin". It was my second time seeing the film because I saw it last week at the priemer in New York City. I worked on the film as a technical advisor and was hopeful that the film would do justice to this iconic member of the disability community. I tried my best to offer Claire Danes and the producers any advice I could. This was a tour deforce by Ms. Danes and the filmakers making a truly astonishing film. As I wached the film in the comfort of my home I was really able to soak in what this film really means and why its impact is vital in the year of the 20th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act. In the film Temple Grandin states "different, but not less" and from my vantage point that is so cruucial to not understand just people with autism but the disability community as a whole. If we as a society are truly going to embrace diversity we must heed the credo "different, but not less" The value of difference is beautiful but does not make us any less a valued member of society. I am hopeful that this film will be a watershed momment for Hollywood to see that there are many stories to be told of people with disabilities that are entertaining, interesting & very much part of the fabric of the human expierence.

The Special Olympics Inclusive Workforce Town hall

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:34:00 +0000

I spent the past few days in Washington, DC because I was invited to speak at The Special Olympics Inclusive Workforce Town Hall. This event was the first of its kind with the emphasis on job creation, career development and the understanding that there needs to be a hard look at what needs to be done on this issue. It was quite interesting that in much of the State of the Union the President discussed the need for jobs and why it is vital to put Americans to work. For people with disabilities nothing can be further from the truth. As we enter the second decade of the 21st Century and the second decade of the Americans with Disabilities Act the disability community must take action to see that they are part of the economic recovery of the American economy. It goes beyond just job creation but really looking towards both an entreprenurial spirit and the see people with disabilities as a vital part of the future of American business. American business needs to rethink the value proposition of potential employers and see that diversity will be a key to future growth.

The Knowledge Worker and The Future of Employment for Persons with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:20:00 +0000

Management guru Peter Drucker understood years before the proliferation of the digital age that knowledge workers would be an integral part of the global economy. Everyone from private industry, government and the non for profit world are beginning to understand the inherent value of the knowledge worker. Traditional 9 to 5 work enviornments are retooling to meet the demands and creative needs of this 21st century concept.One of the most important aspects of this concept is to find the individuals strentgth and match that to where they would find the most success. For people with disabilities there talents have often been masked by the fact that some have seen there disability first rather than there ability. In the new economy of the knowledge worker I think we will hopefully see a seismic shift in this thinking and open up new opportunties for people with disabilities to be employed and find success in this new enviornment. I am attending a Workforce Town Hall Conference in Washington, DC sponsored by The Special Olympics and Best Buddies International. I believe this is a push in the right direction as we enter the second decade of the American with Disabilities Act and first new decade of the 21st century.

A New Year, A New Decade

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:27:00 +0000

It is a new year, a new decade and renewed purpose. The American with Disabilities act is entering its second decade and we must revaluate the impact of this piece of lesligation not only from a legal standpoint but really take a long hard look at how such a law has made an impact on areas of employment, education, transporatation and general quality of life. As I state to both my clients and students " The Disability Community is the only minority anyone can join at anytime!" In my estimation disability is part of the human expierence and must be seen through this lens. If we as a society are going to make forward progress tehn we must be truly inclusive to all its members. The Disability Community is certainly a shining example of what diversity means in the 21st Century.

This year I want to focus further on employment issues but see how this issue plays into the larger corporate strategy of an organization and as Peter Drucker said plsy to peoples strengths.

Thoughts for a New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Sitting here in Los Angeles where I am spending the year I realize a few very interested things. One, I am expierencing the holiday season where there is not a frop of snow on the ground anywhere! This is such an alien concept to me! With the weather beingg in the high 60s this whole week I am actually enjoying this modified version of what they call winter here in Southern California. It certainly has given me a whole new perspective on the idea of a White Christmas!

As the the first decade of the 21st Century slowly comes to an end and a new one begins there are many thoughts that have been racing through my mind about the future of persons with disabilties. With the American with Disabilities Ammendmant Act passing and a new President office who has put healthcare at the forefront of his agenda which in my humble estimation is critical for the future of all Americans but especially those with disabilities.

As we enter this new decade the disability community I believe must be more vigilant in finding ways to truly define what it means to be a community. How do people and organizations dealing with a myriad of disabilities ranging from Cerebral Palsy, MS, Muscular Dystropy to Autism and Spinal cord Injury among many others find commong ground so that they can work together and fight the good fight TOGETHER! How will the disability community be defined for the 21st Century and its impact not only on just different types but even in broader context looking at areas of race, gender and sexual orientation. Disability impacts us all- it must be given the credence it deserves within political, business and cultural circles. Moving forward into this next decade these are the areas that I will dedicate my working life to explore & define and hopefully create a better life for many. I am eager to welcome 2010 and the new decade ahead!

A Promise...

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:46:00 +0000

In the new year (and new decade) I promised myself I would do more writing to look at disability issues throughout the lifespan focusing on every aspect of ones quality of life. While my interests are numerous and even more important is that readers find valuable information from everything from education to employment the goal is simple - share strategies that enhance all.

So, as we enter this new year & new decade I make this promise- I will continue to write and share my thoughts, expierence and ideas on disability and aging issues and the impact on our daily lives..

Please Mr. President....

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:28:00 +0000

Please Mr. President give me healthcare! The past few days have been truly life altering. I was denied healthcare insurance due a pre-existing condition
(Cerebral Palsy) which angered me to know end. I moved to California for a brief period of time and needed to get in state insurance which started me down this long and windy road. Through every step of the process I have been made to feel shamed for something I cannot change - the fact that I have a disability! It is crucial that I have basic healthcare coverage so that I can have a better quality of life. It makes no sense to me that healthcare companies don't see the inherent value in underwriting a person with a disability - someone who will be a loyal customer
(assuming the company provides valued services)throughout the course of there life.

We are on the eve of a vote that will change the landscape of healthcare in this country. While the Bill can be seen as flawed by many it does provide the opportunity for millions of uninsured Americans to be covered. This is a seismic shift in our healthcare system and I believe in our way of life. This means people like me with pre existing conditions will be able to participate in a more a robust way of life.
So on Christmas Eve I hope that Congress can provide a wonderful gift under the tree for all Americans!

Off to Washington DC...

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:39:00 +0000

I have spent the past week in Washington DC taking the tempture of the political climate in terms of healthcare(which seems to be everyones focus in the beltway)and employment as it pertains to persons with disabilities. I often wonder wether we have truly done enough & if infact the disability community has been vocal enough in the trying times. Solutions are hard to come by BUT they are sorely needed. So let me put my hat in the ring and offer some thoughts. One, people with disabilities must be vigilant in this healthcare fight. This will impact so many facets of our lives. What can each of us do? As a citizen make your voices be heard - as the saying goes " Nothing About Us Without US" Writing or calling our Congressesmen or Senators is critical. Looking at the political landscape locally is important as well. The disability community is the "sleeping giant" among voters and as we gear up for 2010 our voices must be heard!

Jobs...Jobs..Jobs...

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:38:00 +0000

In this economy many of us are looking for jobs. But for people with disabilities this cannot be stated loudly enough. Having a job isn't solely about economic stability and indepence but identity. As for many a job helps define the person we are- it gives us a purpose every morning to get up & contribute to a larger goal. As we leave the month of October behind and National Disability Employment Awareness month is just a distant memory it is critical to understand that having a month to focus on employment in my mind defeats the purpose. We need to see this as both an economic and moral imperative. This is about the renewing of the contract with america & creating a vibrant workforce & develop innovative ideas for the new economy of the 21st Century. People with disabilities want to work! With an aging population & those in this demographic that want to work & have valuable intellectual capital American corporations must see this as a competitive advantage & must consider new approaches to hiring & retaining workers. Aside from that this pool of workers offers new opportunities for new business ventures that have only scratched the surface of what's possible.

As we inch closer to the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act America must look at itself & ask what progress have really made in reigniting the business of America.

Healthcare & Employment

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:51:00 +0000

This is October which means it is National Disability Employment Awareness month. At the sametime throughout the halls of Congress is a major healthcare debate. But no one seems to be making the link between healthcare and employment particularly for those with disabilities.

Healthcare while vital for all Americans is critical for the disability community because it enhances one's quality of life and creates further opportunities for millions of people with disabilities. Corporations have to see the vital role that healthcare plays for the retention of employees but the ability for them to add valuable human capital to there organizations.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:53:00 +0000

We have reached the month of October and again we go through another National Disability Employment Awareness Month. While I think the month is vital for the disability community I often feel it doesn't have as much impact or resonance as one would like. October also is Breast Cancer Awareness Month which in my estimation has a lot more media coverage and a resounding impact in terms of funding for further research and awareness. The fundamental question that needs to be asked is why isn't the cross disability community seeing the same type of national exposure that other groups (like cancer organizations who in my mind are related to the larger disability community)One is that disability as a cross sectional community has never truly hit the mainstream - they are relegated to the world of foundations and non profits. One can argue that segments of the disability community have gone "mainstream" like the autism community but this is due in part to Autism Speaks that was founded by the former President of NBC and has tremendous reach in the media world. Also celebrity parents such as Jenny Mcarthy and Hollie Robinson Peete who have gone on talk shows to discuss raising a child with autism have provided more gravitas in the media. More recently films like Adam and television shows like Boston Legal have showcased people on the spectrum as major characters.

I feel that the larger disability community MUST show that people with disabilities are intergal to human capital issues and critical to the future of corporate strategy and ROI. Ostensibly, the disability community have to rebrand themselves & portray themselves in a different light. No longer should they be seen in the context of a hand out but rather be seen as one of the most important coggs in the wheel so that organizations can run effectivley. Without them organizations may fail to have a workforce of the future.

Looking at Disability A New

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:41:00 +0000

Over the past several months there have been both some professional and personal changes that have made me rethink a lot about the nature of disability and the future of my work in the field. I have been neglegent when it comes to writing on my blog. Since my last post I have been discovering a new chapter of my professional life that has been opening up for me. I was a primary consultant on a film called "ADAM" about a young man with Asperger Syndrome. Since the release of the film it has garnered a lot of press in publications like the NY Times and BBC Magazine. During this time I have been recieving a lot of phone calls and emails from both professionals and parents who have children with disabilities (in particular those of the autistic spectrum) asking me a variety of questions about there children from career development, schooling to a host of other areas. All these questions wre not clinically based but focused on lifestyle. It dawned on me pretty quickly that people are craving this information and that my work in the field could be of real value to peoples lives.

At the sametime President Obama spoke to a Joint Session of Congress discussing the need for healthcare not in terms of just dollars and sense but a basic human right and in essence a contributing factor to social justice. It has dawned on me that I need to continue to focus on disability and its impact on socio-cultural issues, lifestyle and a political framework is vital to the future of this community in the 21st Century. Disability as a concept is evolving and continues to do so. It is essential that we provide an accessible manner to do so not mired in academic loqution or political ramblings - BUT BASIC language so that it is truly accessible to all. I will continue to write focusing on these very areas.

The Obama Era

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:44:00 +0000

On January 20th history was made in the United States, our first African American President! But just as important our country has begun a new era of transparency that I think we have seldom seen in modern history. When you look at the Obama agenda, disability issues are a prominent cornerstone of the administrations goals. One can also see that with the use of technology the administration is embracing a real desire to communicate with the American public. I feel that this will be critical for the disability community to take advantage of and see that their agenda takes a prominent role over the course of the next four years. We as Americans with disabilities must be active participants in helping to structure public policy in this country. For the first time in my political consciousness I am more hopeful than ever that we will be given not only a voice but a place at the table to express our opinions. Yes we can!

Welcome 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Welcome to 2009! This is going to be quiet a year; from the Inauguration of a new President to dealing with a global economic crisis we have our plate full. However, the ripple effect of unemployment, trying to deal with a new generation of disabled Veterans to the aging baby boomer community will be critical not just for the future of America but will have a tremendous impact on the dimensions of politics, society and our general economic security.
My goal is the year is to use this blog as a place to formulate and discuss ideas that are vital to the disability and aging communities that look at the intersections of politics, economics, culture and society as a whole. I welcome others thoughts and ideas as the year progresses.
Again...Happy New Year!

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:04:00 +0000

With the passage of the new ADA Ammendments and October being National Disability Employment Awareness month this is an interesting time in American history! ( Not to mention the economic crisis that is breathing down our neck) As we as a nation bthink about how to deal with this overall crisis we must also think about the nature of work and the value of our workers. As the columnist Thomas Freidman so aptly puts it, we are at a crossroads in the sense that we need to rethink the future of our economy and look at "Green Jobs" as a viable future that can help create a major economic rebound. That being said, we must also consider the future of the American workforce and the future of how we work. With a shifting demographic, larger numbers of veterans returning from the middle east dealing with disabilities and a greater number of aging baby boomers who will be dealing with there own disability due to age and needing to work it is vital that we as a nation think about the workplace issues and disability as critical to the health of our future economy.

I am a firm believer in creating public/private partnerships that will focus on educating the 21st Century workforce and developing new ways to work that leverage and retain the valuable talents of the current and future workers with disabilities.

Universal Design: An Ethical Question

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:03:00 +0000

This past week I was fortunate enough to speak and attend The International Federation on Ageing 9th Annual Conference on Ageing and Design in Montreal. I was one of the few people there who were not a designer, architect, engineer or technologist. What astounded me about the event that while everyone there was praising how technology and particularly Universal Design was this great panacea that will solve many of the world’s issue when it came to how older adults and those with disabilities will be equipped by having greater ease of getting around to further participation in society it seemed to me that the focus was so much on the actual object that provided the assistance or bridge rather than focusing on the social repercussions of Universal Design and adaptive technology. These concepts are essentially just tools that provide human beings the ability to participate in a variety of ways giving one greater access to work, social connections to a host of other areas. The one critical issue that needs to be discussed is that Universal Design as a concept needs to expand its definition to inclusive social issues such as healthcare, employment and education. Universal Design as a social concept is vital for the future of both the global aging population and growing disability community. Agencies like the United Nations, The World Health Organization to private industry should expand the conversation to see the ethical question that we need to begin to ask of those who are in the Universal Design field – should we not see this as perfect opportunity as a way to not just solve basic physical and environmental issues but vital to the social contract that we as human beings of this world face- the ability to access basic needs – healthcare, education and the right to work!

The Democratic Convention, the Disability Community & the Future of America

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:35:00 +0000

Over the past few nights I like many Americans have been glued to the television watching the DNC Convention from Denver Colorado. What has really struck me is how prominent disability issues have played in this convention, whether directly or indirectly. Starting with Michelle Obama’s speech Monday night talking about her father who had MS and how his life with a disability gave her the lessons that she draws from to this day to be a better, mother, wife, friend and leader. From there I have heard speeches from the likes of Mark Warren, former governor of Virginia to of course to my Senator, Hillary Clinton. The issues of jobs, the global economy and healthcare resonated with me and the impact on the disability community going forward in this election cycle is crucial. Whether one is Republican or Democrat the fact that these issues are being discussed are vital to the future of our country. For people with disabilities I feel that jobs and healthcare are the touchstones for the future of the disability community in the United States. I am sure one would ask, isn’t that true for all Americans? My answer would simply be yes, but I feel that for the disability community this is lynch pin that will create greater participation into the general populous of American life. Full access to healthcare and competitive employment is vital for the future of this community. So come November I think we as the largest voting bloc in the US have to consider how we see our future and what we can do to steer the ship and give ourselves the best possible outcome.

Has Satire Really Been Lost: The Great ‘Tropic Thunder’ Debate

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:41:00 +0000

Has Satire Really Been Lost: The Great ‘Tropic Thunder’ Debate

This past week was the release of the much anticipated comedy starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black about three actors who start out to make a war film and get entangled in an actual armed conflict. The film itself is a satire about Hollywood and specifically actors and how serious they take their profession in a job that all about ‘make believe’. It satirizes the whole idea of doing several weeks of basic training to get a ‘feel’ of what’s it like to be in combat for the purpose of the film.
However, during pre-screenings there were several Disability groups who were up in arms about the use of word of the ‘retard’ in the film and the portrayal of a character named ‘Simple Jack’. While I certainly sympathize with these groups that the use of this word can be incredibly harmful and the portrayal of a character like ‘Simple Jack’ plays on traditional stereotypes of those with cognitive disabilities it is important to look at this in a larger context. The film was trying to satire why the Academy pays so much attention to people who play characters with cognitive disabilities and how that impacts Oscar voting. In the course of the film Downey Jr’s character goes down the list of American films of those characters with cognitive disabilities from Chauncey Gardner in ‘Being There’ to Sean Penn’s portrayal in ‘I am Sam’.

What I took away from this is Hollywood’s insatiable appetite for neurotypical’s to play roles of those with cognitive disabilities and seeing that as a great acting feat. Actually if people really take a step back and look at this in a larger context shows Hollywood’s contempt for both actors and the profession itself. As Downey’s character pointed out that you don’t want to go over the deep end and be ‘too moronical’…whatever that quite means!

All I know is at times we need to take a deep breath and look at all works of art in the context they are – it’s time and place. Then, we can move forward and make an informed decision. I feel that organizations have right to voice their opinion but it is critical that we all make sure that we know what the end game is when challenging any form of expression. Hopefully, there will be something positive that comes out of this.

Michael Savage - What was he Saying?

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:29:00 +0000

After hearing Michael Savage comment’s this past week on the radio I was compelled to write about. I actually listened to his statement multiple times on a loop because I couldn’t believe he actually said what he did. Here is a guy that is perpetuating the “frigid mother” concept espoused by Bruno Bettelheim over forty years ago and has been debunked time and time again over the past fifteen. His statement was just crass full of inaccuracies and outright ludicrous. Yet, if you look beyond the vitriol he does bring up a very important point and that is how do we define this diagnosis called autism and why is it on the rise? As the anthropologist Richard Grinker wrote about in his book Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism he is a firm believer that there are cultural and social variables in how autism is defined and more importantly how it is diagnosed. With out of 150 children in this country being diagnosed with autism it harkens back to what I believe what was Savage’s intent & that is why is it in on the rise & how have we not seen this before?

Developing Innovation!

noreply@blogger.com (Disabilityworks) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:50:00 +0000

Developing Innovation!

I have been asked to design a national conference on Disability, Business and Innovation. The hope is that this will be something that is an annual event. While most people who are in “the know” realize the data favors such an event and that a conference like this can only be beneficial for business it still is one of those areas where not everyone has caught onto the realities of the variety of variables that will truly impact the future of the global workforce that will in turn create other opportunities in the development of new products and services.

With innovation comes resistance. We are at a ‘tipping point’ where organizations have to begin to put aside there fears (as hard as that may be to do) and see the possibilities ahead. With disability (and aging) issues it is fundamental that businesses begin to spearhead new innovations beyond the parameters of the government because in my estimation it is the for profit world that can have the vision & the capital to see the social value as well as the long term economic return.

I look forward to the time when disability becomes a cornerstone of not only diversity strategies but general business philosophy!