Disabilities Blog

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: Employment

Employers, workers learn during Disability Mentoring Day

Today is the 10th anniversary of Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), a day of activities around the nation designed for "career exploration, mentoring and job shadowing to students and job seekers with all forms of disabilities."

More than 20,000 people with disabilities will participate in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and in 23 countries worldwide," according to The American Association of People with Disabilities.

For example, here are some activities in Midland surrounding the day.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy has more information, too.

What's your take on this or other mentoring programs? Have you had mentors in your career?

Category: Employment

Job loss shock over, time to kick start search

A few words from the the unemployment diary: Now that the initial shock has worn off, it's time to leave the past in the past.

So during the last week, I've chatted with my fiancée, checked my budget, and pondered whether or not to stay in Michigan. Now, I'm ready to kick my job search into high gear.

As I wade into a sea of recruiters, online search engines and resume building tools, my initial goal is to find a job by Labor Day or mid-September. The first thing I've done is reread the Dale S. Brown-Richard Bolles book written specifically for job-seekers with disabilities. Brown includes some particularly helpful advice on how to network with potential employers when looking for a job.

Over the next month or so, I'll share any tips or job- hunting resources I happen to come across. I also welcome suggestions any of you may have. Away we go!

Category: Employment

Unemployed - now what?

Restructuring is such a harmless sounding word, isn't it? It's the word that was used to explain why, after three and a half years, my nonprofit employer laid off 12, including me.

Restructuring? Ha! For my colleagues and me, the term doesn't seem to be quite adequate in proportion to its impact on our lives and families.

In Michigan in 2009, the numbers tell the story: Michigan's unemployment rate is the highest in the country. The rate is much higher for people with disabilities .

The stats hit much closer to home today. One day you're planning your wedding, the next you're hoping you don't have to apply for food stamps.

Now what? Very soon, I'll focus on the positives and start my job search like thousands of others, with and without disabilities, across the state. Who knows what opportunities may be ahead, right?

For now, I'll take a deep breath and reach for the thesaurus.

Category: Employment

Share work experiences related to disability

Advocate Susan Fitzmaurice, creator of Disabled Soapbox, is collecting stories from the disability community about work experiences. The perspectives she gathers could eventually be incorporated into an upcoming production by Matrix Theatre in Detroit.

The Matrix Theatre Company MySpace page describes that it "uses the transformative power of original theatre to change lives, build community, and foster social justice." With more than 70 productions and new scripts to its credit since it was founded, Matrix offers opportunities for people of all ages, especially those in isolated or challenged communities, to become creators, producers and audience of original theatre pertaining to their lives.

Fitzmaurice invites people (primarily, but not strictly, from Michigan) to post their insights on the subject of work. Contributors need not think of "work" in the traditional sense. She explained, for example, that people may write about the effort a parent puts into caring for a child with disabilities, the struggle of those who use paratransit to meet their daily transportation needs, the determination it takes for people to comply with a challenging therapy regime or any of the other work associated with disability.

Fitzmaurice concluded, "In the United States, we primarily identify ourselves by what work we do -- but too often people think that the work (of) people with disabilities is not 'real' work. Disprove that notion."

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Category: Employment

October is month for recognizing employees with disabilities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month with this year's theme being "America's People, America's Talent ... America's Strength!"

I think the poster promoting the event is powerful because it is a reminder of our nation's intent to be inclusive of all people with their diverse array of capabilities.

The NDEAM 2008 poster features Mount Rushmore in the background and words from the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

I'm going to be on the lookout this month for stories about members of the disability community who are managing to succeed in the workforce. Please let me know if you want to recognize someone who is a fine example.

Meanwhile, don't forget: Oct. 15 is Disability Mentoring Day.

Category: Employment

A heartwarming tale about 3 men and their jobs

It's not often you come across a story about people with disabilities that isn't written from the "Look at what they can (or can't) do!" perspective.

But this story by Dan Berry of the New York Times is a wonderful tale about a day in the life of three men who have lived in a group home for as long as they can remember and the jobs that they do every day maintaining the grounds of a rest area in Connecticut.

It's not glamorous work, but the important job with the Department of Transportation "says to the world: I made it," says Dave, one of the men featured in the article.

Category: Employment

Casino support of people with disabilities is a win-win collaboration

Traverse City's Turtle Creek Casino is holding a grand reopening to celebrate its larger casino and new hotel. I'm not a gambler, so I wasn't paying much attention. Then, last night, I heard on our local news that the casino has entered a contract with Grand Traverse Industries, a training and employment business that trains and employs more than 300 people with disabilities.

Workers for Grand Traverse Industries will make biodegradable trash can liners for the casino.

When local businesses support the area disability community by giving it a chance to earn income and dignity through employment, the collaboration seems like a good bet to me.

Category: Employment

Career choices are important

Graduation is a right of passage for many high school and college students this time of year. For those students, this exciting time marks a terrific achievement and an opportunity to really think about career choices. Making the choice about the type of occupation and where to work is especially important for students with disabilities.

Based on my experience, here are some key items to consider:

1) Don't just rely on so-called vocational rehab specialists to make your career choices

2) Go to college if you can -- higher education opens more doors, especially for people with disabilities

3) Don't choose a career just based on your disability

4) Talk to other people with disabilities about their career choices

5) Try to get a mentor to help out with the process

6) Don't limit yourself. Nowadays, everything from engineering to medicine are real possibilities. No more are the days of picking second-rate jobs or just computer clerk tasks.

Career choices for people with disabilities should be made based on interest, ability and what the demand in the marketplace recognizes. There are many resources available at local colleges and nonprofit organizations. Dream big and you can achieve!!

Category: Employment

Jobseekers with disabilities face challenges

Michigan has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Jobseekers with disabilities especially feel it!

According to the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics at Cornell University, the state employment rate of disabled working-age people in Michigan was 32.9 percent in 2006. The center also estimated approximately 61,000 disabled residents in Michigan were actively looking for work.

Are you an employer or looking for a job? Shoot me an e-mail at mbrantley3@yahoo.com and share your success stories, questions, suggestions or nightmare scenarios - or click on "comment" on this blog to leave your thoughts.

I'll occasionally highlight resources or throw out information that might be helpful to those looking for work or maintaining their success on the job.