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For the last several years now, every spring, I’ve been asked to present to a special education class at a local high school. My mom is an administrator in the school district and she likes to have me speak to students as motivation. I talk about my life living with a severe physical disability and how I overcame and continue to overcome the many challenges I face. I tell them about growing up and going away to college. I share some of the funny experiences I had and how I persevered through tough times. My message to them is to never ever give up no matter what life throws at you. Oftentimes, I also talk to Kindergarten classes. At that age, it’s about exposing them to someone with a severe physical disability and having them not be afraid. I get some pretty funny questions from those kids! In the past, I’ve also presented to college classes. Education majors usually have to take an intro to special education course, and, since I wasn’t the “typical” student, my story is from a different perspective.
Maybe it’s because teaching is in my heart and soul, but I admit that I absolutely love presenting to others. While, personally, I don’t take offense to being called or seen as an inspiration, many people with disabilities do. To me, I feel like it’s my underlying duty to inspire people. If people are inspired and encouraged by seeing me lead a successful life despite all of my circumstances, I’m all for it. They may not like it, but I’m inspired by my friends who have different abilities. I guess, personally, I just don’t see the issue with being seen as an inspiration.
That said, most of time, I don’t want to standout just because I have a disability. I know that sounds contradictory. Let me try to explain. Nobody likes to have attention drawn to their flaws. While I like to present about living with a disability, on an average day, I don’t think about my disability. I don’t want to be seen as an inspiration just because of my disability. I want people to be encouraged by how I deal with my limitations.
Sometimes, I think disability awareness and advocacy is taken too far. For example, I have mixed feelings about disability awareness days. Days such as “World Down Syndrome Day,” “World Cerebral Palsy Day,” “Epilepsy Awareness Day,” and “Autism Awareness Day” are at the end of March and the beginning of April. On one hand, bringing awareness to disabilities is a great thing. The more ways we can get society as a whole to accept and include people with disabilities the better. On the other hand, though, wearing a certain color and/or a pin (which is often suggested on these days) isn't going to cure these disabilities. In fact, as I said, drawing attention to a person's disability is--in most cases--the last thing the person wants.
The notion of “inspirational porn” has been a controversial topic on the internet for awhile now. It’s when media outlets commend and do stories about people with disabilities doing “normal” things. Again, I have mixed feelings about this too. While I agree that some stories seem excessive, I think it’s important to share success stories about people who have disabilities with the general population. It promotes acceptance and inclusion.
I think it’s a very fine line between educating about disabilities and exploiting disabilities. There’s no rule book for this, so we are left to figure it out as we go. Many people disagree with me on this, and that’s ok. We are each entitled to an opinion!
***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.
We thank the Great Lakes ADA Center for providing us with the following information about how a new technology section was added to ada.gov.
New Accessible Technology Section Added to ADA.gov
The Department of Justice has launched a new Accessible Technology sectionfor ADA.gov, its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Web site, to further assist covered entities and people with disabilities to understand how the ADA applies to certain technologies, such as Web sites, electronic book readers, online courses, and point-of-sale devices. Covered entities have longstanding obligations to make their programs, goods, services, and activities accessible—including those they provide online or via other technology. The new Web pages compile in one place the Department’s technical assistance and guidance about accessible technology, as well as information about the Department’s accessible technology enforcement efforts, regulation development, and other federal accessible technology resources and initiatives.
The Federal Communications Commission is trying to make it easier for people with disabilities to communicate over the phone. They proposed a rule that would require wireless phone networks to recognize real-time text starting in December 2017. Real-time text would allow people to send and receive messages as they're being relayed without a separate device or translator on the line.
People with disabilities often struggle to find appropriate housing. There are many different barriers and issues people have to consider when looking for housing. Disability.gov put together a great list of people should know about housing. It includes tons of excellent resources too!
Google is spending millions on technology that will increase independence for people with disabilities through its "Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities" initiative. The grants will go to various disability organizations to enhance technology for people with disabilities. Each organization that received a grant has committed to sharing their technology which will encourage innovation from other sources.
THE GUARDIAN: How the world of disability has changed in the last 80 years – in pictures
By SD Network, 2016-05-03
Over the past decades, attitudes towards people with disabilities have dramatically changed. Changes in legislation and services have improved people's lives. A charity in London recently held an exhibit called "Crippled, Handicapped, Disabled: Living Beyond Labels" which opened up the charity's archives to explore attitudes towards people with disabilities over the last 80 years.
Multiple states have joined together to work to create ABLE Accounts (accounts that will allow people with disabilities to save up to $100,000 without jeopardizing their Social Security and other government benefits). Currently 40 states (plus Washington D.C) have approved legislation to create ABLE accounts, but no state has made the program available yet. By working together, state officials hope to offer better quality investment products at lower cost.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Disability Advocates See Opportunity In Self-Driving Cars
By SD Network, 2016-05-03
As self-driving cars become more of a reality, many people with disabilities see a new opportunity coming. Advocates are urging manufacturers to make sure that people with disabilities are included in planning and development of this new technology. They want to make sure the disability community's needs are incorporated into the original designs rather than being introduced later or only as special modified models.
Manufacturers and project managers point out that unfortunately expectations of self-driving cars are unrealistic at this point. They say that each person's situation is different and determining who can use which car will be a "nightmare of complexity." Federal guidelines are now being drafted for automated vehicles that are expected to include the needs of those with disabilities.
Calling all Wisconsin service organizations and micro-enterprise owners! Are you providing quality self-direction services in WI? Do you have a microenterprise? Apply to be an exhibitor at the 2016 Self-Determination Conference: Count Me In! Nov. 8-10 at the Kalahari Conference Center in the Wisconsin Dells. Exhibits will be open on Nov. 9 and 10. Space will fill up fast: http://www.wi-bpdd.org/sdc/
If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Neugart at Jennifer.neugart@wisconsin.gov.
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