Temple Grandin

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

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

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!