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The ADA Restoration Act: What We All Need to Know

News From the Front

Written by: Stephen Kuusisto
Cross-posted on Planet of the Blind

The attack is on and the fight is fierce. The ADA Restoration Act is currently being debated in Washington and the proposed legislation which is designed to restore the employment protections that were crafted as part of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act is now under attack from groups that want to severely limit  the kinds of work place accommodations that employees can and should receive in order to remain gainfully employed.

Because the hosts of this blog are advocates for the full employment of people with disabilities and because the high rate of unemployment among the blind and visually impaired remains at catastrophic levels we want to alert our readers to the fact that the Society for Human Resource Management (a “Management” oriented group) has issued a call to arms urging its membership to fight against this crucial disability oriented legislation. Their tactic? They tell their membership that if the ADA Restoration Act is adopted employers will have to make accommodations for people with minor headaches or disfiguring scars—that is, the SHRM has argued to its membership that under the proposed act, the definition of disability is so broad that “virtually every employee” will be disabled and will require some kind of accommodation. This is absolute nonsense and the sophistry and misrepresentation of both the ADA and the ADA Restoration Act that are utilized in the service of this disinformation is really shameful. But to paraphrase Lou Reed (who said “you can’t always trust your mother”)—“you can’t always trust human resource management”.

My friend and former colleague Scott Lissner (who is the superb ADA Coordinator for The Ohio State University) has written the following altogether cogent summary of the ADA Restoration Act and this is, in our view, the most accurate and succinct summary of the proposed legislation. Please read on.

Disability Blog Carnival #30: What Professionals Need to Know

The 30th Disability Blog Carnival, the subject of which is "what professionals need to know" was pulled together by Kathryn on her blog Ryn Tale's Book of Days. 

"I got the idea for this carnival in thinking about the sensitivity and understanding or lack of both by medical professionals regarding what a patient’s life is really like. In my experience therapists, doctors, teachers, school psychologists who have shown true empathy, a willingness to listen, and respect for me and for Ellie have, sadly, been in the minority. I wish more professionals would try to educate themselves about the people they are trying to help."

Kathryn, we appreciate the work you put into this.  Now, if only we could get the professionals to read it.

~ CK

Cross-posted on Planet of the Blind

The 30th Disability Blog Carnival, the subject of which is "what professionals need to know" was pulled together by Kathryn on her blog Ryn Tale's Book of Days. 

"I got the idea for this carnival in thinking about the sensitivity and understanding or lack of both by medical professionals regarding what a patient’s life is really like. In my experience therapists, doctors, teachers, school psychologists who have shown true empathy, a willingness to listen, and respect for me and for Ellie have, sadly, been in the minority. I wish more professionals would try to educate themselves about the people they are trying to help."

Kathryn, we appreciate the work you put into this.  Now, if only we could get the professionals to read it.

~ CK

Inclusive Tourism: Some Definitions, Part 1

By Scott Rains, Senior Advisor, [with]tv and editor of the Rolling Rains Report

When does travel - moving from point A to point B - become tourism?

Webster says that tourism is:

Function: noun

1 : the practice of traveling for recreation

2 : the guidance or management of tourists

3 a : the promotion or encouragement of touring

   b : the accommodation of tourists

Source: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?bo...

Wikipedia elaborates with:

Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. A tourist is someone who travels at least fifty miles from home, as defined by the World Tourism Organization (a United Nations body).

A more comprehensive definition would be that tourism is a service industry, comprising a number of tangible and intangible components. The tangible elements include transport systems - air, rail, road, water and now, space; hospitality services - accommodation, foods and beverages, tours, souvenirs; and related services such as banking, insurance and safety & security.

The intangible elements include: rest and relaxation, culture, escape, adventure, new and different experiences.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism)

Bottom line? Tourism is when you find yourself 50 miles or more away from home - for the right reasons.

Our Support Needed for the ADA Restoration Act

The Road to Freedom leads us, among other places, to this list of 5 Things we can all do RIGHT NOW to support

"the 'ADA Restoration Act' that would restore vital civil right protections for children and adults with physical, mental, cognitive and developmental disabilities."

For more information, visit the ADA Restoration Act 2007 blog where you'll find this ****ACTION ALERT!****

HURRY!

Cross-posted on Planet of the Blind

Thank you, Nancy Sopkowiak of Access Press

Nancy Sopkowiak has written an article for Access Press, "Minnesota's Disability Community Newspaper", in which she introduces her readers to [with]tv.

Her article in the January 10, 2008 edition, titled In Front of and Behind the Cameras, tells the story behind Howard Renensland's vision for [with]tv.  It's a warm and personal story, one that has clearly made an impression on Nancy.

Nancy, the "folks" at [with]tv thank you for your enthusiasm and support.

Well Now, Here's an Interesting Statistic.

Speaking of the Inclusion Daily Express, I just read an article in yesterdays edition, written by Editor Dave Reynolds about the Theater By The Blind keeping its initials "TBTB" but changing it's name to Theater Breaking Through Barriers.

The decision to change the name of the theater is "to reflect a shift in its mission to include artists with any disability" (and not just those who are blind or visually impaired).  As of 2007, TBTB has been including people with other types of disabilities in stage productions.

In this article, Dave Reynolds quoted Ike Schambelan, TBTB's Co-Artistic Director:

Schambelan noted that while 52 million Americans -- or 18 percent of the population -- experience disabilities, "only 2 percent of characters on television exhibit a disability and only 0.5 percent are allowed to speak."

Say it isn't so!

"TBTB needs to get the reality of our rich, independent lives in front of audiences," Schambelan said.

We at [with]tv will second that remark.

An Interview with Jim Troesh and Bryan Cranston

Here is a link to a discussion about a new pilot for a TV series.  Good luck, gentlemen!

Quadriplegic actor/writer, Jim Troesh, best known for playing the quadriplegic attorney on Highway to Heaven, has created this half-hour sitcom pilot for television based loosely on his life and on his successful podcast series "The Hollywood Quad".  In this YouTube video, Troesh chats about the prospective new series with "The Hollywood Quad" guest-star Bryan Cranston, "Hal" from Malcolm in the Middle.

[with]tv Recommends the Inclusion Daily Express

Good luck trying to find this much information anywhere else on the web. 
~ C. Kuusisto

INCLUSION DAILY EXPRESS
International Disability Rights News Service

http://www.InclusionDaily.com
Your quick, once-a-day look at disability rights, self-determination
and the movement toward full community inclusion around the world.

Cross-posted on Planet of the Blind

Barriers to inclusion: Pity.

Cross-posted with permission on A Different Light.  Thank you, Ruth.

I’d like to address one of the barriers to inclusion directly. Pity.

David over at Growing up With a Disability wrote about the role of pity and how it can block inclusion. He wrote in part:

“Pity promotes the view of charity rather than the view of inclusion. Charity for pity divides people into 2 groups, the “haves” and the “have nots”. The premise is that the person who “has” will help the person who “does not have,” because the “haves” feel sorry for the “have nots”, rather than because it is the morally appropriate action to do. Unlike pity, inclusion encourages respectful dialogue to discuss ways to adapt to the obstacles of society.”

Pity in and of itself, as David also points out, is a negative. Period. I don’t even want to add a noun there. Because we can call pity an emotion or a feeling, but then it makes it sound as if we can’t do anything to change it. I don’t believe that. I think pity is a reaction that is learned and, in some cases, almost programmed in as a reaction to disability in our society. It’s not a helpful reaction because it creates walls.

Why? Simply put, while a person is experiencing pity, it blocks not only a dialogue, as David points out, but can become the reason for objectifying and pushing away a disabled person because being around him/her is seen as “painful” or difficult. However, what is really happening is that the reaction itself (pity) is painful and difficult - and that can be reprogrammed or reset to a different, more positive one.

Today we all hear alot of talk about the worthlessness of self pity. People extol not wasting time feeling sorry for oneself. So why do we continue to waste that energy feeling sorry for someone else - when it does no good? Feeling sorry for me because I can’t get into a non accessible bathroom, for example, does me no good. Asking me what I need is, on the other hand, helpful. The difference between these reactions sometimes is that the person sets aside his/her reaction of pity and chooses a different reaction.

When we consider what inclusion is about we need to look at the attitudes and behaviors that are blocking a dialogue toward it. Let’s put pity on the back burner and concentrate on talking about ways we can all adapt to the obstacles that remain as we work toward inclusion.

copyright 2007 Ruth Harrigan

A Note of Thanks to Pat Beeman and Geoge G. Ducharme for This Letter of Support

     As we enter our 4th decade of “walking with” children and adults with disabilities and their families and friends (George is actually in his 5th decade) we are more convinced than ever about the power of perception, attitude, and personal contact to impact life experiences.  The power of the media to shape attitudes and thus policies and behavior toward children and adults with disabilities is huge.  Millions of dollars have been spent by government, private, and advocacy groups to buy time on television and radio as well as in various print media to share the story of children and adults with disabilities with the general public.  There has been some progress in this effort at “public information and education.”  There has even been some inclusion of actors and characters with disabilities in some sitcoms on commercial and cable T.V.

     Now, with the incredible energy, passion, and commitment of Howard Renensland, and his wife Kathy Forbes and with the inspiration of their daughter Victoria and the support of their youngest daughter, Olivia, a new 24 hour/7 day a week opportunity (with-TV) is emerging to give voice to all children and adults with any and all disabilities and their families.  The full spectrum of life from birth to death, in all its pain, joy, hopes and fears will be presented (in fact is being presented in this blog format) by and with people with disabilities themselves.  Programs including news, current issues and trends, political viewpoints across the spectrum, sports (a place to see and understand the incredible stories of world class athletes participating in the Paralympics this summer in China), Comedy, Theatre, the Arts in all its forms, Music, Fiction, Biographies and on and on are now being created by talented people with and without disabilities working in cooperation and support of one another.  We believe this magnificent effort concentrates the talents and energy of people without voice to create products of substance and quality which will entertain, educate, and perhaps inspire others to positive action.  We believe many new and emerging talented people will be given a platform to share their story and gifts – we know some who are contributing even as we write this.

     We predict within a few years writers, technicians, professional actors, news anchors, sportscasters, dancers, musicians, artists, and “gifted” people of all types will be “discovered” by those of us in the “general public.”  We will wonder where they have been – why they have been hidden away for so long.  We will agree with some; we will disagree with others; in other words the full spectrum of emotions present in a truly inclusive community will be present.

     We are honored to be on this exhilarating and most difficult journey with all who have joined the family of With-TV.  We are reminded of the profound triad of Schopenhauer: All truth (change) passes through 3 stages:  First, it is ridiculed as irrelevant; then it is violently (vigorously) opposed; and finally it is accepted as self evident.  We share the challenges of the journey through the first two stages and look forward to the experience of the third – full acceptance – full inclusion.

Pat Beeman and Geoge G. Ducharme, Co-Directors
Communitas, Inc.
Manchester, CT