Politics & People with Disabilities

We are in the heart of the 2008 Presidential Race. With 2 contests in Iowa and New Hampshire complete the question I have is what are the issues on the table for disabled voters. Questions of healthcare, the economy are certainly at the top of the list. But what other hot button issues do voters with disabilities want to discuss but more importantly- WHAT CANDIDATE IS CATERING TO THE NEEDS OF DISABLED VOTERS.While the disabled community in many ways is still a fragmented community seperated by the type of disability or diagnosis there is still a shared understanding of the challenges & struggles of living with a disability as well as the barriers that are still rampant in this country that have discriminated against people with disabilities in the employment arena, the healthcare system, transportation that are really get to the core of one's own civil rights as a citizen in this country. There are shared expierences that build this community ( or one can see that connection) It is important that we as a community take that shared identity - even with the differences and bring that to the ballot box. So which candidate will truly stand up and stand out for the millions of disabled voters in America...I still this verdict is out on this one!

Final Post of 2007- What To Expect in 2008!

This is my final post of 2007, while it has been a relativley good year I am excited about 2008 and writing my continued thoughts and ideas about disability and aging issues on this blog. In '08 my hope is to broach such issues as the ADA Restoration Act and really evaluate what that means for the disability community in the United States. I also want to look at a revolutionry idea originally concieved by Professor Ruth O' Brien stating that the ADA is not just teh most import civil rights law of the 20th Century, but infact, it is piece of legislation that can truly humanize capatalism "by turning employees into care-givers, creating an ethic of care in the workplace". So taking the ADA from a narrow civil rights law to a larger labor law is critical BUT what needs to be further discussed is "the culture" of work and how can we as a society actually find the tipping point to make what O'Brien discusses a re al reality - BUT just as important make areal business case to make this a real reality. Other areas I hope to explore in the blog in the coming year are questions of Genomics and Disability Rights. At the dawn of the 21st Century we are clearly at the starting point of a new age. Even though we have had the human gene sequenced for the past decade there are larger philosophical, cultural and social questions that we need to look at as it relates to personhood. While the argument can be made that wiping out disease is a noble and valuable cause, there are larger questions at hand such as what does this mean for people with disabilities as a valued people in society and will genomics be a precursor to Eugenics. While that may seem drastic these are questions that need to be addressed.

2008 will be an interesting year with many areas to explore...I will see you all next year! Happy Holidays!

A Day on the Set

This weekend I spent a day on the set of the new film, "Adam", the story of a young man named Adam who is living with Asperger's and his life & relationship with a young woman named Rose. I have been working with the actor Hugh Dancy on playing the character making sure he is as authentic as possible. I must admit working with him has been tremendous fun & watching him on the set going through rehersals & shooting I know I must have done something right! But I also know that Hugh certainly absorbed everything I was able to offer. More importantly, he really understands that he now has a certain responsibility in playing this character that extends to the larger disability community.
I look forward to spending more time on the set but I am even more excited to see the final product!

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly :Part I

The Diving Bell and Butterfly was a wonderful memoir I read about five years ago. Written by Jean Dominique Bauby, the former editor of French Elle, it is the story of a true bon vivant who had the age of forty three has a massive stroke & must deal with the repercussions to his life. He has really only the use of his one eye by which with the help of his nurses he learns a mode of communication through blinking.

The painter & filmmaker Julian Schnabel has just brought this tremendous story to the screen. As I remember the book, it is a tale about life, death & the unflinching resolve of the human spirit. I have not seen the movie yet (it was released in NY & LA yesterday) I am planning to see it this week & will write Part II of this review so that I can accuratley discuss...till next time!

International Day of the Disabled

Tommorow is the Internatational Day of the Disabled. For most it is an obscure day that goes unrecognized on the calendar. But, at the United Nations there will be a press conference, a series of panel discussions and concert celebrating the event.The fundamental question for me (as I am sure for many others) is - what does this all mean? Well, simply put it is designed to raise awareness for many of the issues that people with disablilities face on daily basis on a global scale. The theme for this event is "Decent Work for All" - members of the UN and global community want to show that people with disabilities can & want to work and are often times not afforded the opportunities in part due to lack of understanding and an antiquated view of disability perpertuated by cultural sterotypes.

It is interesting to me that there is very little press when it comes to an event like this. However, before I jump to conclusion tommorow morning there will be a press conference held at the UN- so we shall she what outlets plan to cover it. However, all I can say is that an event like this always gives me hope that we are moving in the right direction!

Washington Is Getting It Right!

I was at a conference a few days ago that was attended by a variety of buercrats from several Federal agencies including The IRs, The Department of Interior, The Department of Defense among many others. The conference focused on diversity yet one of the major themes was disability. What I found out both astounded me & pleased me. The Federal government which consists of 2.6 million employees is mandated by law that by 2010 2% aof ALL workers must be those with disabilities. This is a truly bold move & the 2% coincides with the 20th anniversary of the signing of the ADA.

In hearing about this I was quite pleased that it was the government who is making the first move. Now, if only private industry could follow that path we may really be onto something!

Disability & Diversity

Should disability be part of the conversation of diversity? Well, for most this would seem like a slam dunk answer, however, lets look at it from a different perspective. Shouldn't disability seen through a much larger lens than just diversity. The fact is there is an old saying with in the disability community - TAB's or temporarily able bodied. Using this premise the idea is that infact disability is much broader & can be seen as a human issue NOT a diversity issue. That infact we should be talking about it interms of inclusion in every aspect of our society. Disability as a social and cultural construct goes beyond the physical, psychological or mental limitation but prevades every facet of our society...so, any thoughts?