It's Just Words Silly....

or is it? The disability community over the years have been defined, cateogorized and empowered by the languge used to encapsulate the disability community. Words like cripple, handicapped, disabled or special needs have been the moniker the establishment(i.e the medical/psychiatric and governments) have placed on people over the years who have a physical, cognitive or developmental disability. These words have been helpful for medical practitioners to find the right treatment models and government agencies provide the right benefits and services. While there are many positive aspects to words there has also been dark side in the equation. Like other minority groups language of the disabled has often been derogitory and used to be something hurtful rather than empowering. Yet, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Like other movements people with disabilities are finally taking 'ownership' of the words they use and are embracing the language of disability. Whether it be using phrases like "crip culture" or "gimp"- these words that were once seen as slurs have now come out of the shadows and are part of the lexicon of a progressive social model of disability. We are at a time where the ability to use words has become more democratizing than ever before. With the dawn of the information age people with disabilities are given access to a 'global village' where they can express themselves through the lens of their own particular narrative and explore and develop a new language of disability. On a personal note, one of the most thrilling things for me currently is to see the birth and evolution of a new website called Disaboom (www.disaboom.com/link/jkpr) a lifestyle website that focuses on the ever changing disability community. One of the elements that makes this website unique is its ability to redefine the words and language of disablity in the 21st Century...now how cool is that!

Summertime Blues

Ahh, the dog days of summer are upon us once again. For many this means a time to take a holiday and get away from the daily grind of work, life and routine. However, for others it is a time to focus on the fall and develop new employment strategies. Over the past two years I have been working with a variety of young adults in their 20s & 30s who are along the autism spectrum and those pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) such as learning disabilities. One of the great challenges for me has been to see how hard it is for them to find paying jobs. Whether it is an ability to search for work or companies not providing the right support for more 'high functioning' young adults with these types of disabilities is debatable. The fundamental question that I have been struggling with is how to connect the dots? A big movement within the disability field has been customized employment which has begun to gain real success with those with physical disabilities. However, with those with more cognitive disabilities or 'invisible' disabilities it is harder to pinpoint and create customized work places but beyond that those with more cognitive disabilities such as autism or learning disabilities need a greater infastructure to work with. This means job shadowing, social support and other options. Yet at the same time this can become an intrical part of the future of recruting & employment policy within organizations. As new college graduates enter the job market the dog days of summer is the time for companies to wake up & see a broader pool of young talented workers that can do things & want to work. I have a saying play to the strengths of the individual! It is time to take up this as a clarion call!

The Launch of a New Era: Disaboom!

Over the past few weeks I have been in negotiations developing a strategic partnership with a new company called disaboom. (www.disaboom.com)Disaboom is a new online community for people with disabilities providing an array of services from social networks, employment, to a host of other valuable resources. What has been the most attractive draw for me was the passion that the founders and new mangement team have for this new venture. This is not just your run of the mill entreprenurial endeavor but rather something that has real purpose and meaning for all involved. The founder Glenn House, a physician and parapelegic himself understands the daily life of someone with a physical disability and wanted to utilize the technology avaliable to create something that not only connects the 56 million Americans across the disability community but ber a place where the 600+ million people with disabilities and aging community ( many of whom will be dealing with disabilities) a community to share, find information & create a true global village if you will.

I am eager to see where this idea can take the disability community. I am a firm believer that this is the time for a company like this to emerge and become a trailblazer...let's move forward into the Disaboom nation!

A Moral Question: How Well Does America Care for It's Own?

With pomp & circumustance, young men & women brave soldiers are sent off to war to fight for there country, there beliefs & a way of life. Yet, on the return home many veterans injuried by the ravages of war either physically or mentally do not seem to get the treatment or the respect that there government owes them. This has begged the question why are our facilitates like Walter Reed having public scandals that describe shotty outpatient care and infested conditions and public debates over the VA's inability to care its patient is now plying a front center role in daily newspaper, TV & internet stories.

This has begged ne to ask the question, are people with disabilities, even our wonderful soldiers still seen as second class citizens. Does the stigma of disability still exist or is this just politics as usual? Most importantly, how can a government not care for its own? To be even asking this questions have made me both sad, angry & disgusted. Why should I have to be even thinking that in the United States of America those that defend our country should not get at least the basics when it comes to healthcare. While many disagree with the policies of war and the administration, no one should feel that these young men & woman deserve sub standard care!

We are at a philosophical crossroads here - If the government cannot take care of its own in terms of basic healthcare, acclimating these young men & woman back into society and helping with employment, education and other basic needs what do we as a community need to do to solve the issue? I will begin to answer and show what is being done to help solve an issue that our own government seems to be sputtering on.

The Anxiety of Influence

Well who said that the need for technology was overrated...well, I can now tell you from expierence the value that technology plays in my life. Loosing access to my computer is very much like loosing access to my freedom. Not being able get my e-mail or use the internet truly hindered every aspect of my work life. When I thought about it I know many people with physical disabilities who's need for technology goes far beyond what my needs are but use it as a critical piece of there activities of daily living. I realized the power that technology has over our lives- almost every aspect for that matter- the influence is enormous!

The Arrival of the iPhone- Is it a Good thing?

The much touted iPhone is finally avaliable for public consumption. But wait a minute is this phone really good for everyone? Let me be a bit more clear on this, is this good for the disability and aging community. When we look at the concept of Universal Design or the value of of accessible technology the point is that new technologies are designed to make things easier, to even the playing field so to speak. While the iPhone looks really cool & has new amazing features and applications I worry that this is not a phone that ALL consumers can use. In the reviews I've read by Walter Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal and David Pogue of the New York Times the one thing that clearly stands out is the touch screen. Will people who have arthritis or visual impairments be able to really utilize this technology easily? In full disclosure I have not done any focus groups or have begun to research on this. However, for me it seemed like red flags just kept popping up the more I read about the features of the new iPhone. I wonder what Steve Jobs would say if he were posed these very questions? Hmm...

AARP , Diversity & The Future of Aging in the 21st Century

Over the past few weeks I spent time in Los Angeles to attend and participate (as a speaker) at a conference on Aging and Diversity in the 21st Century given by AARP. Aside from giving my own workshops on policy implications on employment and the value of technology I must admit I was truly blown away by the plethora of information provided. I came away with a new found appreciation for the work that is going on. Also, I learned a tremendous amount of what needs to be done in the diversity field as it pertains to disability. Still, disability is seen as the bastard child within the diversity field. I often feel it is still doesn't quite have a eat at the 'grown up' table. However, when consider all the aspects of diversity it is the disability community that has a role in every facet. Though I belive AARP is beginning to recognize this - a bit slower than I may like, however, moving forward in the right direction. This conference was the first step in my oponion to solidify all of the cultural elements of different communities to look at a common goal as part of a human expierence. This I believe is critical & also serves as a template to serve disability issues.