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

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

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

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...

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....

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...

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...

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.