Living Forward

Disability Awareness and Education Project in New Zealand

2008-08-22T19:15:00Z

People with disabilities in New Zealand are getting a lot of community exposure thanks to the “Our Stories” project. It consists of an exhibition and numerous workshops which integrate people with disabilities and members of the general public.

“Our stories” will be travelling around the country for the next two years, bringing a photographic exhibition and several workshops free to the public in numerous cities throughout the two islands.

Engaging Exhibition

The backbone of the exhibit is a series of 72 black and white images collectively titled “My Name Is …” by renowned photographer Hanne Johnsen. They document everyday moments in the lives of people with various disabilities. We see an armless man, the morning paper spread out on the kitchen table in front of him, resting his chin on his toes as he reads. There’s the photo in the park of two kids running gleefully near a man sprawled on the grass to play with them, an empty wheelchair parked nearby.

But there’s much more to this production than still photos hung on a wall. Workshops bringing together the able and disabled from the same communities are at the heart of this project.

Free Community Workshops

Educational workshops inspire unique ways for the public to understandpeople with disabilities and promote the core values of community engagement: inclusion, future focus, diversity, equity, community and participation, integrity and respect. Children work on their own multimedia “My Name Is …” project featuring people with disabilities in their region.

The Film Fest segment for students takes place in their school. The kids work in groups of three or four with a guest who has a disability from their community. Over three sessions, the children interview the guest about their life, take photographs and produce a three-minute DVD. The resulting short films are then viewed by the wider community during a Film Fest evening.

Employers Evenings offer an opportunity for regional businesses to hear stories from local disabled people who hold paid jobs, as well as their employers. Governmental agencies also speak about practical and financial support they can provide.

A Community Development evening features a local person with disabilities talking about what is working well in their area and what it means to be part of a group. Someone from that group will also speak about that individual and what they bring to the organization.

Nine People Featured

Finally, there is a book, The Man With No Arms and Other Stories, which captures the daily reality of nine people living with disabilities. Author Glenn Busch relates their memories of growing up and the unvarnished version of family life.

The “Our Stories” exhibition is a collaborative effort sponsored by the New Zealand organizations CCS, a country-wide disability action group started as a way to help those with polio, and IHC, promoting the needs of those with intellectual disabilities.

Look for more information at http://ourstories.co.nz/index.html

Ms. Wheelchair America 2009 Crowned

2008-08-22T16:35:00Z

Texan Michelle Colvard was born with spina bifida and has used a wheelchair since the sixth grade, but it doesn’t seem to have slowed her down much. In fact the recently crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2009 has a resume that’s impressive under any circumstances.

Modeling Personal Responsibility

A summa *** laude graduate of the University of Houston, Michelle earned a master’s degree in health promotion from The University of Texas School of Public Health. She is a proponent of the importance of people of all abilities taking responsibility for their own health, and used that as her platform in the contest.

Modeling her belief, Michelle maintains her high level of fitness with regular gym visits plus a lot of fun, recreational activity. Snow skiing, basketball, kayaking and travel are all on her agenda. She also races her Mini Cooper in autocross competitions, where she’s won a first place finish in her class.

A Life of Public Service

Michelle is also the executive director of Houston’s Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and the past chairperson of the Houston Commission on Disabilities. She garnered the American Institute for Public Service’s Jefferson Award in recognition of her volunteer service and was involved in the “Playgrounds Without Limits” project that gave Houston its first inclusive playground accessible to all children.

Promoting Advocacy and Awareness

A capable speaker, Michelle’s duties will include “promoting the awareness of the need to eliminate architectural and attitudinal barriers, informing the able-bodied public of the achievements of the millions of people with disabilities across the nation, and assisting with the establishment of programs in all 50 states by promoting Ms. Wheelchair America.” She’ll make numerous public appearances and conduct radio, print and TV interviews during her year-long reign.

About Ms. Wheelchair America

Established in 1972 as a way to promote the achievements, as well as the needs of, women with mobility impairments, the annual Ms. Wheelchair America contest recognizes not personal beauty but rather the contestants’ abilities in the areas of advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation, in order to select the most accomplished and articulate spokeswoman for individuals with disabilities. The winner represents more than 52 million Americans who live with disabilities.

For more information, please visit http://www.mswheelchairamerica.org/about/3/

National Federation of the Blind Launches Largest-ever White Cane Initiative

2008-08-22T15:35:00Z

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind people, announced August 19, 2008, an initiative to ensure that any blind person in the United States and Puerto Rico who needs a long white cane will have one, regardless of ability to pay.

The NFB will provide a free cane to anyone in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico who is blind or has low vision and who uses or desires to use a white cane in order to travel independently. This historic initiative is the largest effort ever of its kind to provide white canes to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

White Cane Recognized Globally

“The white cane is both a symbol of and a tool for independence,” said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “It allows blind individuals to travel whenever and wherever they want, leading to self-confidence and self-sufficiency. With the initiation of this landmark program by the National Federation of the Blind, every blind person who wants the freedom and mobility that a white cane provides can have it.”

The long white cane provides an effective means for blind students to get to school, blind adults to get to work, and blind seniors to remain active. Art Schreiber, a retired broadcaster from Albuquerque, New Mexico, said: “As an active blind person and someone who has traveled throughout the world, I know the white cane means freedom for blind seniors everywhere.”

White Canes Help Ensure Independence

Melissa Riccobono, a blind stay-at-home mom and educational consultant said: “As the mother of an active twenty-month-old son, my cane helps me to safely navigate through my busy day from walking to the playground to visiting the pediatrician.”

It is estimated that 109,000 of the 1.3 million legally blind people in the United States use a white cane. By supplying canes free of charge, this program provides the opportunity for all blind Americans to have a white cane and to participate fully in society.

The National Federation of the Blind will provide a straight, light fiberglass cane to any blind individual in the United States or Puerto Rico who requires the cane for personal use. Canes are available in the following lengths: 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, or 63 inches. Individuals may only request one free cane in any six-month period. For more information on the use of the long white cane and the National Federation of the Blind free cane program, please visit www.nfb.org.

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

Blind Artist Runs Her Own Agency

2008-08-19T23:26:00Z

Art was always in Ketra Oberlander’s blood, but she didn’t become an artist until she was 40. Ketra, who is blind, started dabbling in art by developing her own art collection. “I'd been a collector for years, starting out by setting aside a small annual sum and going to art festivals in my area, picking out a unique piece I loved, and buying it without regret I collected on a secretary’s salary. I've always had artist friends and I've always been around creators: artists, musicians, filmmakers, software developers—people that make stuff up and others give them money.”

During her late 30s, Ketra’s vision began to worsen. Diagnosed with severe myopia, a lack of color and depth perception, and cone dystrophy—Ketra was blind by the age of 40. “It’s like staring at the sun with shortening smeared on your glasses,” is how Ketra describes her vision. “The lifestyle workarounds I can do. Daily living is like a Sudoku puzzle: finding what works in what circumstance, and then rearranging to let it work. I have more difficulty with the social aspects of vision loss, like not knowing when someone is making the ‘escape from conversation’ facial expressions, that sort of thing. Not knowing if I'm boring people,” she adds with a smile.

Shortly after losing her vision, Ketra took a painting class, and her life changed. She began exhibiting her paintings and achieving recognition for her art work.

At that time Ketra was working as a writer, and she decided to explore another career path, one that would include art. The idea of art licensing as a career began to appeal to her. She began looking into finding an agent to represent her and her work. After consulting several leaders in the art licensing field, each of them encouraged Ketra to open her own studio and art licensing business. Ketra listened. Her studio and business, The Art of Possibility, opened in January 2008.

“I was filled with doubt and trepidation at first, but I did it!” said Ketra.

In March, two other artists joined the business: Enid Swift, a designer who has a rare, unpredictable neurological condition called Miller-Fisher Syndrome, and George Mendoza, a painter and athlete who lost his sight in his teens. Suzy Combs, a wildlife painter who is hard of hearing, recently signed on too.

“I'm hoping to grow the agency to help as many physically disabled artists as possible under the Art of Possibility brand,” said Ketra. “I think we add an important perspective to the consumer goods landscape through our work and provide a meaningful connection to people interested in expressing something substantive about their character through their purchases.”

On her website, Ketra has this quote: "I don't have any business deciding what I can't do;" she observes, "people cheat themselves out of all sorts of opportunities because they think they can't do something. Well, what if they can?"

What if they can? Indeed.

VSA Arts Program Helps Kids Connect with Their Creative Side

2008-08-19T20:52:00Z

A visit to the VSA arts website (www.vsarts.org) quickly reveals the breadth and scope of its impact: a slideshow delivers pictures of every kind of art imaginable -- all performed or created by people of all abilities. From wheelchair dancing to painting to acting, VSA arts clearly honors its message of creativity and artistic inclusion. Since its inception in 1974, VSA arts has continued to expand the impact of that message, now including millions of people throughout the U.S. and 60 countries worldwide.

Bringing Art Opportunities to Kids

Whether your child is interested in writing, painting, theater, music, dance, sculpting, or even being a stand-up comedian, VSA arts is there for support. That support may be in the form of teacher training, classroom or after-school programs, community outreach, collaborative funding opportunities, or other initiatives. Through these efforts, the organization aims to nurture the creative instincts and imaginative spark of every child and adult with a disability.

Although its reach is international, VSA arts generally focuses on impact at the local level. The Washington, DC-based program has at least one (and often several) affiliate groups in almost every state; to find the VSA arts program in your area go to United States Affiliates and check your state listing. But VSA arts also sponsors several annual national competitions, encouraging artists across multiple disciplines to submit their best work for professional review.

In addition, if you’re a parent trying to figure out how to best support your child’s artistic interests, VSA arts publishes several excellent resources, Express Diversity! and Start with the Arts at Home: Encouraging Reading Using the Arts – A Parent’s Resource, to help you get started. There are also multiple curriculum resources available for teachers in the site’s Resources section.

Inclusion Drives VSA arts Mission

How did this terrific program get started? When Jean Kennedy Smith founded VSA arts, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, her goal was to provide people with disabilities unlimited access to the diverse world of artistic expression. Her mission: “Inclusion teaches us that all means all. No exceptions.” This idea even resonates in the meaning of VSA:

•   Vision of an inclusive community
•   Strength through shared resources
•   Artistic expression that unites us all

In addition, Kennedy Smith’s original vision became embedded in the organizations four central principles, which state that:

•   All children with a disability should have the chance to participate in the arts.
•   All art teachers should be able and willing to bring children with disabilities into their classroom.
•   Everyone, regardless of ability, should have total access to cultural art opportunities.
•   Anyone with a disability who wishes to have a career in the arts should be allowed to pursue this path.

Getting Involved with VSA Arts

VSA arts is a highly effective testament to the fact that art shouldn’t be regarded as an insignificant extracurricular activity; rather, it should be an integral part of education for children with disabilities. However, as a nonprofit organization, VSA arts relies on volunteers, donations, and sponsorships for funding. To get involved and/or lend your support, visit www.vsarts.org.

Local Goodwills Provide Employment, Job Resources for Those with Disabilities

2008-08-18T18:55:00Z

Wading back into the donation center at the Goodwill in Eugene, OR feels a bit like taking a tour of Santa’s workshop. Chock-full of row after row of clothes, records, electronics and myriad other knick-knacks, the donation center hums with the enigmatic energy of the behind-the-scene section of a business that you’re rarely privileged to see. It’s where the gears grind, where raw product merges with a human touch—and in the case of Oregon’s Lane County Goodwill Industries—where funds are derived to provide job resources to hundreds of individuals in occupational need.

The Mission
“Our mission is to provide vocational opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment,” said Ed Durkee, director of employment and training, as he greeted the dozens of employees busily sorting and stacking. Durkee, who’s worked for Goodwill Industries since 2005, said that approximately 1/3 of the employees at Goodwill have developmental disabilities. Goodwill utilizies mission integrated workshops to increase production and workplace efficieny amongst its disabled employees. As a result, Durkee said developmentally disabled individuals are some of his best employees and “produce consistently everyday.”

The Funding
Opening its first store in 1958, Oregon’s Lane County Goodwill Industries are funded mainly by donations and retail sales. They average 9 million pounds of donations annually and in 2006 made over $8 million in sales; proceeds that go directly to programs that assist in the employment of individuals with disabilities.

The Job Developers
The Eugene, OR Goodwill has a staff of job developers who work exclusively on getting jobs for individuals with disabilities. The job-seekers are referred from the Oregon Vocational Services Department. Once their files have been forwarded to Goodwill, clients meet with one of the two job developers on staff to discuss their skill strengths, work experiences and interests.

Job developers gauge the client’s ambition as well.

“We can place anyone if they’re dedicated, reliable, and willing to learn, “said Job Developer Anne Guthrie.

Guthrie and her co-workers work directly with local employers to find jobs that are ideal fits for clients and to streamline the employment process. Although they do attempt to minimize the application process—providing assistance with resumes, cover letters, and interview techniques—Guthrie stresses that the burden still falls on clients to prove that they’re ready and willing to advocate on their behalf.

“I can train people on how to do the whole application and the cover letter, but what I really like to focus on is how to network and talk to the supervisor,” she says. “Our program is very client-driven, so we want our clients to do most of the work.”

While many individuals with disabilities have used Goodwill to jumpstart their careers, some have found their ideal job at the donation center.

Gary’s Story
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at birth, Goodwill Warehouse Supervisor Gary Noll battled alcohol abuse during his teen years. In 2003, he struck and killed a bystander in a tragic car accident. Despite the fact that he was sober and wasn’t at fault for the accident—the throttle in his truck became stuck—Noll served two years in prison. While inside, he attended a drug and alcohol program and after his release continued to attend AA meetings.

Noll had difficulty finding a permanent job after prison and began working with a Goodwill job developer at the advice of his Godparents. In 2005, he took a position as a donation attendant at the Green Acres Goodwill and soon transferred to the Eugene location where he was promoted to warehouse supervisor.

“Gary is polite, smart, and has a great work ethic, all of which his supervisor recognized,” said Rufina Saiz, assistant to the president at Goodwill.

Currently, Noll supervises a seven-person crew that organizes the warehouse, fills orders, and maintains a fleet of trucks. He’s also taking classes in business at Lane Community College, which Goodwill pays for as part of his benefit package.

But after he completes his degree, Noll doesn’t see himself leaving his position at Goodwill. “When I got here, I knew this was the place I wanted to be,” he said. “Goodwill gave me a chance when no one else would. Life is really good for me now and I love my job.”

Saiz said that it’s not unusual for employees to stay at Goodwill for extended periods of time. In fact, she stated there’s one employee in Lane County who’s been with Goodwill for over 30 years. “We get a lot of different stories from a lot of different backgrounds that settle here,” she said.

Gary Knoll is one of them. Overcoming muscular dystrophy, alcoholism, and a stint in prison, he has found a peace within himself and an enjoyment at his job. And in the midst of the discount pajamas, the Carlie Simon Cd’s, the forks, the spoons, and the six-dollar record player that’s likely to be swooped up in moments, that’s likely the best deal—the greatest bargain—one could find.

For more information on Goodwill industries and to find locations near you, vist www.goodwill.org.

Courage Center Seeks Applications for Entrepreneurs’ Award

2008-08-12T23:32:00Z

Are you an entrepreneur with a disability, located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa or North or South Dakota, and over 18? If so, then you may want to apply for the annual Judd Jacobson Memorial Award being sponsored by the Courage Center, a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center for people with disabilities.

Established in 1992, the Jacobson Award recognizes the pursuit or achievement of a business entrepreneurial endeavor by a person with a physical disability or sensory impairment. If you win the award, you’ll be honored at an event in November and receive a $5,000 cash award to advance your business.

In addition to the age and location requirements, you must also demonstrate “entrepreneurial skill, financial need, exceptional personal commitment,” and you must have received little or no public recognition for your “business endeavor.” Applications are available online at CourageCenter.org under the Resources tab, and the application deadline is Friday, Sept. 19, 2008.

For more information about the Judd Jacobson Memorial Award, contact Sue Warner, Communications and Marketing, 763-520-0263 or TTY 763-520-0245.

Clinical Trials an Option for Trying New Treatments

2008-08-12T15:57:00Z

Medical costs can swiftly deplete the bank accounts of people with disabilities and their families. And there’s no guarantee that expensive treatments will even produce positive results.

If you have reached your financial limits or want to try out cutting-edge treatments, clinical trials are an intriguing option. Studies for treating disabilities such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, cerebral palsy and osteoarthritis recruit participants on a regular basis.

In return for participating in clinical trials, researchers often offer free medication and treatment, financial compensation and reimbursement for some expenses. These perks are sometimes enough to attract even healthy people who are looking to make money.

Volunteering for clinical trials is not without its risks, though. Reading the fine print of many drug advertisements reveals a litany of possible side effects that have been observed during testing. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you could be given a placebo, which will not have any medical benefits.

If you or someone you know is considering participating in a clinical trial, you’ll want to do some research of your own to learn about any risks associated with trials. The National Institute of Health (NIH) features extensive clinical research information on its Web site, including a series of questions that you should discuss thoroughly with the research team before deciding to join the trial.

A sampling of the questions that NIH recommends you ask prior to volunteering for clinical trials includes:
•    How might this trial affect my daily life?
•    What type of long-term, follow-up care is part of this study?
•    Who pays for the experimental treatment?
•    If there are risks, what are the chances they will occur?

Clinical trials can be a source of hope if you have disabilities and are seeking new, affordable treatments. Additionally, changes regarding participants’ rights and clinical trial conditions are constantly watching out for your safety during the research process. But proceeding with caution will go a long way toward ensuring that your experience is a positive one.
Online Resources

ClinicalTrials.gov, CenterWatch.com and ClinicalResearch.nih.gov are three Web sites where you can find a variety of information regarding clinical trials, including a searchable database of trials that are recruiting participants.

The National Cancer Institute’s Web site contains cancer-related clinical trial information as well as a searchable database of current trials.

Talking About Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2008-08-05T22:35:00Z

A survey of consumers conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has revealed that nearly two-thirds of persons age 50 or older are using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) such as massage therapy, herbal supplements, mind-body practices and acupuncture.

The survey also revealed that of this population, less than one-third discuss their CAM use with their health care provider. In order to improve communication between patients and health care providers regarding the use of alternative medicine, the NCCAM has initiated a campaign entitled Time to Talk.

The NCCAM, which falls under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and AARP surveyed 1,559 people age 50 or older across the United States. The survey uncovered that, not only are many patients unaware of the importance of sharing information about their CAM use with their health care providers, but many providers are negligent in asking for this information.

The Time to Talk campaign is a way of fostering this communication through various free tools such as tip sheets, wallet-sized information cards and posters. These tools can be ordered directly from the NCAAM Web site or by calling the NCCAM Information Clearinghouse (1-888-644-6226).

Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., Director of NCCAM stresses how critical it is for persons age 50 and older to discuss their CAM use with their health care providers.

"As frequent users of CAM, people 50 and older need to understand the importance of discussing CAM with their providers to ensure coordinated, safe care. Simply put, it's time to talk," said Briggs. "Giving your health care providers a full picture of what you do to manage your health helps you stay in control."

Of the individuals surveyed, the majority reported using CAM to treat an existing health condition (66 percent) or to promote their overall health and wellness (65 percent). The survey results also revealed that women are significantly more likely to report using alternative medicine with their health care providers than men (70 percent compared to 51 percent). Survey participants who reported discussing their CAM use with their providers indicated that these discussions covered such areas as CAM effectiveness and safety as well as its potential interactions with other forms of treatment.

It is important to keep in mind that within the 50 and older population there are a number of persons with disabilities. Data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the likelihood of developing a disability increases with age, with more than half of all senior citizens age 65 and older having a disability. And while some forms of CAM have proven beneficial to this population when recommended by knowledgeable health practitioners, it is critical that individuals not rely solely on their own judgment or trial and error when it comes to alternative medicine. Doing so could potentially have dire consequences.

One might assume that health care providers shun CAM use altogether. This is not the case, however. Some physicians have learned firsthand the benefits of integrated medicine, which combines conventional health care practices with CAM use. One such example is Elliot Dacher, M.D., who has authored the book Whole Healing. Dacher became a believer of integrative medicine while battling Ulcerative Colitis with both prescription medicine and guided visualization sessions.

While the Time to Talk campaign encourages health care providers to actively seek information from patients regarding CAM use, the campaign also emphasizes that patients should take a more proactive approach by preparing a list for their providers of all prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, herbal and dietary supplements and therapies they are using. This will help to jumpstart the conversation so that health care providers can give practical and, perhaps even, life-saving advice.

Sources:
AARP and NCCAM (2007). Complementary and Alternative Medicine: What People 50 and Older are Using and Discussing with Their Physicians. NIH News.

Bureau of the Census (1997). Census Brief: Disabilities Affect One-Fifth of All Americans.

Marshall, Lisa (2007). How to Talk to Your Doctor about Alternative Medicine - and Why It's Important. Revolution Health Group.

NCCAM (2008). Time to Talk About CAM: Health Care Providers and Patients Need to Ask and Tell.

Neimark, Jill (1997). On the Front Lines of Alternative Medicine. Psychology Today.

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Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities

2008-08-05T22:09:00Z

The Statewide Forums on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities are a program of the National Arts and Disability Center that are run through partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts, VSA arts and the Social security Administration. The forums provide networking opportunities with arts-related employers and other people living with disabilities who are seeking careers in the arts.

Additionally the forums serve as a jumping off point for professional training and also seek to provide assistance to participants in understanding the impact work in the arts has on benefits they might be receiving. The forums focus on visual, literary and performing arts and are not just focused on employment as a creator or performer, but also on the business side of the arts world.

The state forums are one or two-day events and are planned by the state agencies in conjunction with arts employers, artists with disabilities , educators, rehabilitation professionals and other members of both the arts and disability communities. Each state forum offers its own individual programs in support of the main goals of the project, and these include lectures and discussions as well as performances and exhibitions.

The Statewide Forums on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities was founded in 1998 to address several key issues when it comes to the arts and people living with disabilities. These include a lack of training and exposure to career possibilities in the arts, as well as the erroneous belief by many that the arts do not represent a valid career path, which is also experienced by people in the arts outside of the disability community.

The forum program was designed to combat the stereotype of artistic work by people with disabilities as limited to that which only has value in a therapeutic or sentimental context, as opposed to that with strong statements and high professional quality. Finally, the forum seeks to help participants through the minefield of financial logistics that often comes with a career in the arts by looking not just at the impact such work has on benefits for those receiving them, but also offering assistance with financial management, tax planning and health insurance procurement.

To date, the forums have been held in more than 20 states. In order to participate in the program, you should visit the Web site for the Statewide Forums on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities to see if a forum is coming up in your area. Additionally, the Web site provides detailed information on arts career options, job hunting, financial planning and benefits management to assist people with disabilities interested in arts employment who do not currently have access to one of the state forums.

See Racheline Maltese's Disaboom member profile
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Disability Advocacy Series: Arlene Mayerson and Mary Lou Breslin

2008-08-05T21:51:00Z

Two of the top teammates among disability rights activists are attorneys Mary Lou Breslin and Arlene Mayerson, who have worked together for 27 years at the political action forefront.

Breslin was a 1979 co-founder of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and Mayerson came on board in 1981 as directing attorney.

They're still at it together.

When Breslin won a top award in 2002 from the American Association of People with Disabilities, Mayerson said, "She has all the qualities of the general and all the qualities of the soldier. She blazes the trail and maintains it, and she can persuade through forceful advocacy or quiet diplomacy."

But when the University of California at Berkeley began in 2001 to compile oral histories for "The Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement" archives, Breslin played the humble role of interviewer while Mayerson took the spotlight.

The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund also is based in Berkeley, and some pundits might describe the attorneys as "liberal" or "left wing." Their work definitely is in the political arena. They propose new laws and file lawsuits. They praise disability rights activists who have conducted sit-ins and been arrested. They make frequent comparisons with the civil rights movement.

"Like the African Americans who sat in at segregated lunch counters and refused to move to the back of the bus, people with disabilities sat in at federal buildings, obstructed the movement of inaccessible buses, and marched through the streets to protest injustice," Mayerson wrote in "The History of the ADA: A Movement Perspective."

ADA is the acronym for the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, but Breslin and Mayerson go back far enough to have cut their teeth on implementation of the lesser-known 1973 Rehabilitation Act. The older law, with its oft-cited Section 504, prohibits disability discrimination on the part of the federal government and recipients of federal funds. The ADA expands these protections across society as a whole.

Breslin and Mayerson have served not just as disability rights litigants, but as political action organizers. They say a key step took place during the 1970s when groups representing various disabilities agreed to unite for the greater good. The union has been so strong, they said, that advocates of the ADA took a solid stance to make sure that protections were extended to people with the then-new affliction of HIV-AIDS.

Their focus now is on passage of the ADA Amendments Act, which in effect would legislatively supersede Supreme Court rulings that have restricted the definitions of a disability.

The ADA and other results of disability political action "have absolutely stimulated a national dialogue, an academic dialogue, a philosophical dialogue, a moral dialogue," Breslin says. "It has really opened this question."

Offices for the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund are at 2212 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. The Web site is dredf.org/ and the e-mail address is info@dredf.org. The phone number is (510) 644-2555.

Sources:
dredf.org/about/staff/mayerson.shtml
empowermentzone.com/ada_hist.txt
aapd.com/awards/awards01/bettsrecipient01.html
bancroft.berkley.edu/collections/drilm/collection/items/mayerson1/transcript.html

Read More from the Disability Advocacy Series

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Disability Advocacy Series: Robert Burgdorf

2008-08-05T20:17:00Z

Attorney Robert Burgdorf is known as the primary author of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) but is far from satisfied with that stature.

Burgdorf said the U.S. Supreme Court has twisted his words against him during the past 18 years, limiting the ADA's impact.

Burgdorf has countered with his own series of scholarly papers through the years and is a primary writer of the 2008 ADA Amendments Act. These provisions aim to reconcile recent court rulings in favor of disability rights. The ADA Amendments Act will be the next chapter in the clash for power between the more liberal legislative branch, which is accountable to the public, and the more conservative judicial branch.

The Supreme Court has been "dead wrong" in its interpretations of the ADA, said Burgdorf, a law professor at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, who has limited use of his right arm after a childhood bout with polio.

Provisions of the ADA Amendments Act provide a wider definition of the term "disability" than courts currently recognize. Burgdorf and other disability rights activists protest that people with epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and other disabilities have been wrongly denied ADA protection in court cases because their conditions could be controlled by medication or were in remission. They contend that as a result, an individual may be considered "too disabled" by an employer to get a job but "not disabled enough" for courts to take action.

The ADA Amendments Act passed the U.S. House by a landslide 412-to-17 vote in late June, but that does not ensure it will become law. The bill now goes to the Senate, and time is running out before the November presidential election, at which point all legislation will have to start over.

Burgdorf has learned that he will both win and lose in his widespread report and law-writing ventures in pursuit of disability rights. In 1986, when working for the National Council on Disability, still was known as the National Council on the Handicapped, he authored the landmark report "Toward Independence." This placed him in a position to write the original ADA and now key provisions of the ADA Amendments Act.

Burgdorf said his own encounter with discrimination took place in 1968 as a college student. He arrived for summer work in Evansville, Ind., as an intern with the local electrician's union. The crew chief observed his limp right arm and declared that no "cripples" should be allowed on the job. Burgdorf turned in his tool belt that day but vowed to fight for disability rights when he became an attorney.

He asserts that Supreme Court justices, and politicians in general, make mistakes when they try to measure "how disabled" a person may be, rather than focusing on whether or not discrimination takes place.

"Just as the point of the Civil Right Act is not race, but it is discrimination, the point of the ADA is not disability - it is discrimination," Burgdorf said. "The ADA is a mandate for equality."Read More from the Disability Advocacy Series

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Remembering Douglas Martin: Leader in Disability Rights

2008-08-05T19:45:00Z

Douglas Martin was a humble and caring man who fought hard for the rights of college students and others with disabilities. A leader in the independent living movement, his contributions to disability rights will help others for lifetimes to come. Douglas passed away at 55 on Jan. 3, 2003. While he was young at the time of his death, he did lead a quality life full of great accomplishments.

Martin, better known simply as Doug, was born in Lynch, Nebraska on May 8, 1947, but raised in the smaller Naper, a town of only 200.

In 1952, at the age of five, Doug contracted polio, which caused him to spend three years inside of an iron lung. Being a child, he did enjoy his ride to the hospital in a crop-duster, which was the quickest transportation available due to the rush to get him to the closest city hospital ASAP. That was his first plane ride. It is actually somewhat of a miracle that Doug was able to go on with life outside of the iron lung, eventually only using a portable respirator during his nightly sleep. Martin believes he was meant to get polio because in his words, "If I hadn't had polio, I wouldn't have a job!"

Speaking of Doug's job, boy did he have several. Because of his own troubles with getting admitted to college due to his disability, he became very active in the rights of college students with disabilities.

At the time of his death, he was the UCLA Special Assistant to Chancellor and Coordinator of Americans with Disabilities Act. He co-founded the UCLA Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Disability in 1983. Martin is also well known for his dedication to social security and disability benefits and reform.

Because of his special efforts toward disability rights for college students at UCLA and all over the United States, May 8 is "Douglas A. Martin Day" in Los Angeles County. Much of Doug's time was spent at UCLA and working on things for UCLA. He even met his wife, RaeLynne, there.

Sources:
Daily Bruin, "Douglas Martin Remembered for Commitment to Disability Rights"

University of California, "Obituary: Douglas A. Martin, UCLA Special Assistant to Chancellor and Coordinator of Americans With Disabilities Act"

University of California: Calisphere, "Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement Oral History Project: Douglas A. Martin"

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Profile: Marca Bristo, co-founder and CEO of Access Living

2008-08-05T18:48:00Z

Marca Bristo is the president, co-founder and CEO of Access Living in Chicago, which is an independent living center for people with disabilities. The remarkable Access Living center in Chicago would alone be enough incentive to call Bristo an important disability rights activist. However, that is far from all she does or has done in the past. Bristo has made a great number of accomplishments regarding disabilities.

The Access Living center, like other independent living facilities, is non-residential. It is a special place where people with disabilities may gain access to a variety of services and resources that can help them reach and maintain their goals of living more independently. Some of the services include housing, civil rights advocacy and education development. The center was co-founded by Bristo in 1979.

Independent living centers, such as Chicago's Access Living center, hold to the belief that people with disabilities can care for themselves. Sometimes it may be with the use of accessible equipment or furniture. Assistive technology could also be used. The main goal is to get persons with disabilities managing their own care, being active in their communities and making their own life decisions, rather than being controlled by someone else.

In addition to her accomplishments at Chicago's Access Living center, Bristo is the former chair for the National Council on Disability (NCD). Members of the NCD are appointed by the U.S. president. President Clinton appointed Bristo. She was actually the first person with a disability to obtain that particular position with the NCD. While acting as chair, Bristo actively participated in the enforcement of a great deal of disability rights laws.

In 1995, Bristo became known as the first person with a disability to participate in a UN World Summit. She participated in the UN Summit more than once. Bristo has received so many awards and recognitions, it is nearly impossible to list them all.

A small number of those include being honored for Community Leadership by the YWCA of Chicago, the 1999 Illinois Abilities Expo Lifetime Achievement Award, the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities of Illinois 1995 Distinguished Citizen Award, the Distinguished Service Award of the President of the United States and the Americans with Disabilities Act Award.

Bristo continues her outstanding efforts as a disability rights activist. Therefore, many will not be surprised if she receives yet another award or recognition.

Sources:
-Access Living, http://www.accessliving.org/
-National Council on Disability (NCD), http://www.ncd.gov/
-NSCIA- "HOF 2006 Nominees: Disability Activist Marca Bristo"

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Fred Fay: Disability Activist for 40 Years

2008-08-05T18:35:00Z

Fred Fay has been a disability rights activist for 40 years, and for the past 20 years he could no longer sit upright but still chose to continue his activist work.

With the use of a computer mounted above his bed and a phone operated by headset, Fred Fay works diligently from his home helping others with disabilities. As a prominent disability rights activist, Fay founded the Justice for All E-mail Network for Americans with disabilities. Even though that is a wonderful feat, this humble disability rights activist has made many contributions to the community.

In fact, Fay has been active in legislation regarding disabilities, playing a role in many major laws that center on disabilities rights including the Rehabilitation Act, the Americas with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

As a prominent disability rights activist, Fay also co-founded the Boston Center for Independent Living, played an important role in the development of assistive technology, was a community organizer and community advocate for Equal Access and Equal Rights and was co-founder of Opening Doors, among many other accomplishments.

Fay's entire house is designed especially for his use while prone. Because he cannot not sit up, there are mirrors, custom-built furniture, electronic equipment installed to face down from the ceiling and much more.

There is also a sunroom used for solar-powered energy to operate his many fans and remote controls. Since he cannot sit upright, a traditional wheelchair would not do. To solve this, Fay invented his wheel bed, which he uses to get around his home. Those who say that a disability can hinder one's of accomplishments, need only look at a small portion of what this special disability rights activist has gotten done, despite being a quadriplegic.

Sources:
-Wikipedia: "Fred Fay"
-AAPD: "Justice for All Email List"
-NSCIA:"HOF 2006 Nominees: Disability Activist Fred Fay"
-Aq.org:"Fred Fay: A Man Who Does All His Work In Bed"
-Calisphere: University of California, "Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement Oral History Project: Frederick A. Fay"

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