workforce – mamasmunchkin

This past Monday was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day was started by the United Nations in an effort to help others understand disability issues and bring about disability awareness to the general public. It has been promoted by the U.N. since 1992.

Every year, this day has had a different theme. This year’s theme was “Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society for All”. This is a great thing to focus on for many different reasons.

First, there is the importance of accessible buildings for people who are disabled. Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is not such a huge issue but, there are still places that a person who uses a wheelchair cannot go into because of its lack of accessibility. I remember when I went to elementary school and because I used a wheelchair, I had to go to a school that was nowhere near where I lived. That was because it was the only school that was accessible for me to attend. This may not sound like too much of a big deal, but, when you have to travel for hours on a bus, in a seated position, it is not the most comfortable thing in the world. If there were an accessible school near my house at that time, I wouldn’t have had to make such a long trek to and from home just to go to school everyday.

Secondly, having an accessible society also allows people who are disabled to participate in everyday things such as shopping or going to see a movie in a movie theater. It is my belief that if people can go out and do things like shop for their groceries in the store, they will feel like they have done something important for themselves. This can lead to improved self-esteem. I know there are some places that deliver groceries to your home these days, and if you like to use that service, that is just fine too. I just think people should have the option of either method of shopping instead of feeling like they are stuck in their homes.

Now, a few words on inclusion. I know that this is still a work in progress, like all the other issues that disabled people face on a daily basis. To me, inclusion means in the arena of Employment as well as in Schools, just to name a couple. These environments have certainly become more disability-friendly but, I feel like they still have a few bumps in the road that need to be smoothed out. In our schools today, there are a lot more students receiving the services they need in the least restrictive environment and, more importantly, reaching their educational goals. Even though unemployment of people with disabilities is higher than other parts of the population, those who are in the workforce are successful in getting and maintaining their jobs.

All in all, I am really happy that the United Nations has brought more awareness to disability issues by observing International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I believe that the more information that is available to the public on different disability issues, the more likely myths and fears that people have about living with a disability will melt away.

What other themes could be covered in the coming years?

For more information you can go to: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1597

Thanks for reading..

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This is an important month for many reasons. In today’s post, I am going to talk about some reasons that stand out the most to me.

I know that there are some people who are disabled, that because of their disability, cannot work. That is totally understandable. On the other hand, there are also people who have different types of disabilities who can work and want to work. For those people, finding a job can be a difficult thing to do.

1. The Americans with Disabilities Act – People could learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Title I talks about employment and removing the barriers that could exist for qualified people who have a disability. This is a great example of how the ADA gives an “equal playing field” to all potential employees.

2. Visibility in Society– When people who are disabled are out in the workforce, it gives this part of the population more visibility in the everyday world. As a result, it doesn’t seem like we are locked away in a tower. (I always think of Quasimodo with the hump on his back–yes, I know, a bit antiquated but, some people do still think of disabled people this way). Some people do not realize that people who are disabled can positively contribute to society. This visibility in society also helps people who have not had experiences with people who are disabled so that they can maybe become more sensitive or better informed about this part of the population.

3. Stimulating the Economy Just as when people who do not have a disability are out in the workforce and stimulate the economy because they have money to spend, the same thing happens when someone with a disability has the opportunity to work. They have the opportunity to help the economy grow.

Employment continues to be a barrier for people who are disabled, though we have made some strides in the right direction. I also know that maybe some of my comments sound unreal or unbelievable but, for a lot of people, this is their reality. As I have said before, it’s not easy living with a disability but, at the same time, it is not something that can’t be done, and done successfully, for that matter. Don’t ever be afraid to think and look outside the box to achieve your goals, whatever they may be.

Thanks for reading…

Tag: workforce

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: A few Thoughts

National Disability Employment Awareness Month–Some of my Thoughts