Disabilities Blog

Category: Transportation

Detroit riders with disabilities concerned about para-transit dispute

At the end of last week, leaders from Detroit's disability and religious communities called on Mayor Bing to resolve a contract dispute affecting the city's para-transit system.

According a Detroit News story, "Earlier this month, the city announced ATC/Vancom Inc. recently operating as Veolia Transportation, will no longer provide Detroit Metro Lift para-transit service to about 1,200 customers. ... But disabled transit advocates said they were pleased with Veolia Transportation as its service provider, and the other vendors are not giving adequate service."

Do you use the Metro Lift service? Has the current dispute affected you?

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Category: Public policy

Rosa's Law: Final word on the 'r' word?

Some of my friends and family give me grief for being too politically correct on disability issues, especially when it comes to with use of the "r" word. In this case, I'm one of those people who think the use of the term "mental retardation" should end.

On Tuesday, Sen. Mikulski, D-Md., introduced Rosa's Law designed to end use of the term in federal law. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., also sponsored the bill.

The law is named after Rosa Marcellinos, a person with Down syndrome, whose family was the driving force to get a similar law passed in Maryland before its consideration in the U.S. Senate.

There are many people who believe we place too much emphasis on language and its impact. They believe that eliminating the "r" word is a waste of time. Even within the disability community, some advocates refer to themselves as "crips" or "cripples" as a way of empowering themselves. By taking ownership of the negative term they nullify it. As a result, the word "crip" becomes transformed into a point of pride.

There's something to that point of view, but I think it's important to call attention to slurs when you hear them and remind people it is not OK.

In his testimony before the Maryland General Assembly, Rosa's 14-year-old brother, Nick, explained why he and his family believe that language needed to change. "What you call people is how you treat them," he said. "What you call my sister is how you will treat her. If you believe she's 'retarded' it invites taunting, stigma. It invites bullying and it also invites the slammed doors of being treated with respect and dignity."

Well said, Nick.

What do you think? Is the proposed law useful or an exercise in semantics?

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Category: Media

Controversial 'Cast Offs' challenges assumptions about people with disabilities

As much as I hate to admit it, I watch more than my fair share of reality TV. I wish I had access to British TV so I could watch "Cast Offs." It's a new pseudo-reality show that's styled after programs like "Survivor" but featuring characters with disabilities.

According to a story from Time.com, "The show, scheduled to begin airing on Britain's Channel 4 on Nov. 24, is a mockumentary-style drama that apes the reality format it satirizes and seethes with sex, profanity and gloriously politically incorrect dialogue. But it stars actors who in real life share the same disabilities of the characters they portray."

The show's mission, according to creator Joel Wilson, was to create "something broadly satirical that would poke fun at the way disability is generally viewed ... We wanted to show the disabled were no more and no less...(screwed)... up than anyone else."

The show sounds like fun. I wonder if viewers, more conditioned to the lack of reality in reality TV, will get the joke?

What's your favorite reality TV show? Do you think "Cast Offs" is worthwhile or just another gimmick?

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Category: Role models

First legally blind governor, Paterson, to run for re-election

Earlier this month, New York Gov. David Paterson formally announced his intention to run for re-election next year.

Gov. Paterson is the state's first African-American governor and the first legally blind governor in the country. He moved into office from his lieutenant governor role when Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008.

It's clear already that this election will not be an easy one. Like most incumbents, the governor is facing a grumpy electorate in his home state still suffering from the economic downturn. His approval ratings are around 30 percent. Other polls show his likely primary opponent leading him by 40 percent. Heck, even President Obama has reportedly pressured him not to run.

In the face of this opposition, Paterson is either ignoring the facts, being incredibly stubborn or displaying a considerable amount of courage and commitment to public service (or maybe all three).

Either way, I wish him well. It's his job and he has the right to try to keep it. What do you think of Gov. Paterson's re-election bid? Are there people out there - with or without disabilities - who you wish would run for office?

Category: Employment

Disability shouldn't equal poverty

The lousy economy. The abysmal job market. We can't go a day without being confronted by the Great Recession. Michigan is particularly aware of this, as the state is among the hardest hit by the downturn. As most economists are quick to point out, these things are cyclical and we will eventually see the job market regain strength, consumers begin spending again and life return to something resembling normal.

Of course, those economists are referring to the "normal" lives of people without disabilities. A new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research states that almost 50 percent of working-age adults who experience poverty for at least a 12-month period have one or more disabilities. Americans with disabilities live in a sort of "permanent recession." Unemployment has always been rampant among people with disabilities. For those fortunate enough to hold jobs, underemployment is the rule. Unlike most of the rest of the population, people with disabilities have been "doing more with less" and "making a dollar go farther" for their entire lives. The current economy is their "normal."

I point this out because I believe what most economists believe: It's only a matter of time before the economy warms again, the jobless find work and the tough times of today are a bitterly recalled memory. But I attach an asterisk to all of that because I also believe that when the economy recovers, most people with disabilities will be left out of the recovery - just as they were left out of the recovery from the last recession and all the recoveries from all the recessions before that.

Many of you reading this are dealing with unemployment and tight finances right now. But one thing that most Americans have in their favor is the knowledge - or at least, the hope - that things are going to get better. We're seeing some positive signs of economic growth these days and we can just start to envision a time when things get back to the way they were.

For people with disabilities, getting things back to the way they were isn't all that appealing. Realistically, they're just hoping to bump up from "poorer" back to "poor" again.

When the economic picture does improve, some of us will be in positions to hire a person with a disability or help improve someone's financial circumstances in some way. When that time comes, let's not block out this period of the Great Recession or allow this kind of financial strain to last a lifetime for some Americans.

Chris Privett has worked in public relations positions with The Arc of the United States and Special Olympics International. He lives in Durham, N.C., and has family in Monroe, Mich.

Category: H1N1

H1N1 hits youth with disabilities harder

Recently, the president declared the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, a national emergency. There have been cases in 46 states, including Michigan.

It seems that the outbreak may be cause for particular concern to chidren with disabilities. As the Associated Press reported earlier this year:
"According to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ... Of the first 36 U.S. children to die of the swine flu since it was identified in April, almost two-thirds had epilepsy, cerebral palsy or other neurodevelopmental conditions. In a previous flu season, only a third of the children who died of the flu had comparable underlying conditions."

As a result, the U.S. Department of Education has issued guidelines to schools for students enrolled in special education. Here in Michigan, there are several locations in Metro Detroit offering the H1N1 vaccine.

Click here to learn more.

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Category: Entertainment

New Hawking tune has Detroit connection

I can't wait to hear the new single by Stephen Hawking. Yep, that Stephen Hawking, the noted physicist has lent his voice to a new single titled "A Glorious Dawn."

The tune was conceived as a tribute to the late astronomer Carl Sagan and is being released to coincide with his 75th birthday. The song also has a Metro Detroit connection. It was produced by Jack White's (of Detroit's White Stripes) Third Man Records.

Check out the video on www.youtube.com and let me know what you think.

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Category: Public policy

A few words with White House special assistant Kareem Dale

Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to President Obama for Disability Policy, recently spent a few minutes with me discussing employment issues, how health care reform will impact the disability community, and the administration's priorities for 2010.

Dale, who is visually impaired , is originally from Chicago. He served as the National Disability Director for the Obama campaign and has a long history of working on disability issues.

"I was born with a disability and this issue has always been important to me ... We have taken an active role in increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities by launching several initiatives. The response from the community has been overwhelming appreciative and supportive."

Dale thinks that one of the administration's key accomplishments so far has been the passage of the recent hate crimes bill. "It is a landmark piece of legislation that protects people with disabilities ... and demonstrates the president's commitment to treat people with disabilities as equals," he said.

Though most people would not make the connection immediately, Dale said the president's health care reform efforts could also be considered a disability issue. He believes reforming the system will expand the Medicaid program and as a result lower costs and enhance access for people with disabilities.

Given the current economic climate and the many challenges facing individuals with disabilities, it seems the White House will be working on several disability-related issues in 2010.

"We are looking forward to celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will be issuing the final regulations for the implementation of the ADA Amendments Act, but across the board, the administration will continue to seek and pursue opportunities to help level the playing field for all Americans in all areas, but especially education, health care and employment, regardless of their disability."

Thanks to Kareem for sharing his time and thoughts.

Category: Learning disabilities

Flint playwright earns scholarship

Kristi Starnes, a graduate student and playwright at the University of Iowa, recently received the David and Rosalie Braverman Scholarship for her community service work.

The Flint Journal ran a nice profile of Starnes, who is a person with a learning disability.

Category: Media

New Mobility magazine celebrates 20 years

Congratulations to New Mobility magazine, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. New Mobility began publishing to provide information about life after spinal cord injury and other disability issues.

The magazine built a solid audience by focusing on wheelchair-users who wish to maintain an active lifestyle. Through the years, New Mobility also earned a cutting edge reputation. It used people-first language and was one of the first publications to frankly discuss the topic of sexuality and disability. Just as importantly, the magazine continues to be produced by writers and editors with disabilities.

Since 1989, the magazine evolved from a quarterly publication to a monthly that now includes a Web-based version as well as a Facebook page.

"New Mobility has been changing the lives of people with disabilities for many years," publisher Jeff Leonard said. "Now with our strong presence on the Web, we have an opportunity to really enhance our readers' experience and get people connected."