Blog [with]tv

Let's Consider a Creative Solution to All the Outrage

Submitted by Howard Renensland, CEO & Founder, [with]tv

There is a lot of outrage in our sizable global community of people with disabilities lately. You can read it in a variety of disability blogs, including our own, and see it in various letters to the editors of major newspapers like the New York Times and others.

But that is about it sorry to say. Our feelings, issues, complaints, etc. do not make up much of the content in mainstream media today, nor will they ever, ever, ever. There are a multitude of reasons for this. It is a simple fact. I encourage you to continue to advocate for a bigger piece, better coverage, or a different perspective.

Please believe me when I say I understand all this emotion. I have been a parent of a person with a disability for 24 years and a friend of many others for even longer. If “it” can happen to a person with a disability then I have either experienced “it” through my daughter, seen it, read about it, or heard about it, many, many, many times and expect to do so many, many, many more times before I die. One aspect of the human experience that we share with all our fellow humans is “#*%$ happens.”

Now this does not diminish at all the well articulated and deeply felt responses to the way we are referred to in the New York Times or the way we are ostracized in Florida kindergarten classes, or any of the other public and private degradations that do not make it into the consciousness of mainstream media but to which we and our fellows are subjected every second of every hour of every day of every week, of every month, of every year from before time was measured or history recorded.

Disability and Language: a NY Times Article Review

This comment was left on a post by William Peace on his blog, Bad Cripple.   Therextras wrote " Thank you for an excellent expose of a typical media dissemination of language and attitudes we would like not only to reform but squelch. I hope you sent some response directly to the newspaper." 

Team [with]tv would like to second that remark.

Here is an excerpt from William's post. 

Monday, May 12, 2008

Disability and Language

Yesterday a long article appeared in the New York Times entitled "Taking a Chance on a Second Child". The article was written by Michael Winerip, a Pulitzer Prize wining writer. Mr. Winerip is a seasoned reporter, graduate of Harvard University and a gifted writer. Yet a day later I remain stunned and outraged by the language Winerip used. The article in question is about Jordana Holovach, her son Jacob who is severely disabled, and her decision to have a second "healthy" child.

The tone of Winerip's article is shocking. Each and every mention of disability is overwhelmingly negative. The language is antiquated, insulting, and devalues the life of a child and by extension all disabled children and adults. Among the snippets I found particularly appalling include the following:

In referring to Ms. Holovach's son: "And as much as she loves that boy and as hard as she's worked to make him whole...she felt snake bit"

Ms. Holovach's son is "confined to a wheelchair".

Ms. Holovach's son was responsible for her divorce: "Her first marriage ended in divorce under the strain" and "Jacob was a big reason".

Before Ms. Holovach's son was born "they were successful people" (note tense).

Oh don't stop here.  Keep reading, there is more....

Then stop by Patricia E Bauer's blog for this additional link.

 

Parents of Children with Disabilities Want Us to Know...

Ruth, of The Wheelie Catholic has placed a link to a short YouTube video by Javier Prato "where parents of children with disabilities talk about their concerns and also their joys."

A Memorial Day Memory

Submitted by Howard Renensland, CEO & Founder, [with]tv

Yesterday was Memorial Day and like any good American family we celebrated it in our own way ending early this morning. Here it is. I find it pretty unique and interesting in the grand scheme of things. Here’s hoping you do as well. It’s just “A Different Perspective.”

We stayed at home and attended no Memorial Day Parade or organized activity of any kind. Now before you toss me in the basket with all the other anti-American folks allow me to add that I do have a lapel pin, several actually; a US flag, Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, one commemorating a year of perfect attendance in First Methodist Sunday School – 7th Grade, which was due largely to my desire to be closer to a cute little girl rather than God.

The reason for this seemingly anti-glorification of war sentiment is really pretty lame but true nonetheless. My daughter Victoria, who, if any of you know anything about [with]tv, know is my motivation in this endeavor has a true paranoiac fear of any and all loud noises. This includes all guns, balloons, thunder, etc. This makes for anything but an uneventful life and was particularly amusing during her pre k-12 school years when manually filled balloons are as mandatory as a label of “gifted” for a successful school event.

It is particularly exacerbated at present due to Victoria’s recent surgeries and extended hospitalization. I guess sort of a post-traumatic stress syndrome reaction. Anyway, we avoid any and all celebrations on Memorial Day. On the 4th of July, forget about it. We simply leave the country for spots that for some odd reason choose not to celebrate America’s Independence; at least not with firework displays and the odd string of firecrackers set off in the middle of the day in the middle of the street.

A Message from Howard Renensland, CEO & Founder, [with]tv

Submitted by Howard Renensland

May 26, 2008

My intent in starting [with]tv was to create a media home for top of the line programming about the many aspects of disabilities and the people who live with them.

Additionally I hoped to create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment where both my daughters could work. My logic being that people with and people “without” disabilities are inter-dependent on each other. Make sure you get that. You need me and I need you.

Secondly and more importantly I feel the lack of a mainstream, inclusive, accessible cross media voice, that strives to employ at all levels and in all areas all manner of those in our community is the single greatest limiting factor marginalizing people with disabilities individually and as a group globally.

This weekend as I “caught up” on the discussions of many disability blogs, news sources, etc. (for God knows there is scant mention of us anywhere else) I was sorely reminded of this need.

"Welcome to the 38th Disability Blog Carnival!" says Kathryn

The theme of this carnival, organized by Kathryn on her blog: Ryn Tales Book of Days, is "Spirituality and Disability"

"Many philosophers have thought along with Descartes that "the unexamined life is not worth living". And Shakespeare said, "Know thyself!" To that end the topic for this carnival is about the spiritual meaning of experiencing disability either first or secondhand in this life. I think you will find some very thoughtful and in many cases poetic examinations of lives being lived by the carnival's contributors."

A great deal of thought and work is put into these Disability Blog Carnivals.  Take a few minutes, will you, to stop by, read some great posts, and say hello.

Cross-posted on Planet of the Blind

A Different Perspective with Day Al-Mohamed

On his radio program A Different Perspective, Howard Renensland, CEO of [with]tv interviews Day Al-Mohamed, a young woman with a very successful career as a professional lobbyist.

Day is a senior governmental affairs officer. During her career, she has provided her expertise to consumers, advisory committees and governing bodies on legislative and regulatory issues. In her spare time, she hosts Day in Washington: "Home of the Disability Policy Podcast" - a blog intended to act as a resource, providing information on current issues of disability policy.

Transcribed interview coming soon.  Stay tuned!

U.S. Federal Government Hiring

Buzzing in the Workplace
By: Rob Roy

Note to Readers: Article below focuses on U.S. Federal Government hiring of people with disabilities. If you are a reader from outside the U.S. and have interesting information to share regarding your government’s hiring of people with disabilities, please feel free to contact me.

In January 2008, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a report on the federal employment of people with disabilities*. Overall, the EEOC concluded that the federal government employs fewer people with disabilities now than it has at any point during the last 20 years. The EEOC’s finding is troubling for the following reasons:

·  The federal government has a mandate to be a model employer in the hiring and advancing individuals with disabilities.
·  During the past 20 years, significant technological advancements afford people with disabilities a greater opportunity to work.
·  The Office of Disability Employment Policy, a division of the U.S. Labor Department, indicates that roughly half of individuals with disabilities in the United States are unemployed (note: the office cautions the statistic may vary based on definition of disability and data source).

The EEOC made several recommendations for improving efforts to hire and retain individuals with disabilities. These recommendations include:

·  Establishment of numerical goals for hiring individuals with disabilities on an annual basis.
·  Ensuring procedures that make agencies and officials accountable for reaching goals and verifying that goals are obtained.

The initial implication of the EEOC’s findings has been a surge in commitment among federal government leaders to re-focus efforts on hiring people with disabilities. While a commitment from leaders is a great start, a push from our community will help.

If you are seeking employment, consider reaching out to your local congressional representative about potential opportunities.
·   If you aren’t sure who your Senator is, click on the following link: http://www.senate.gov/. On the top right side of your browsers select your state.
·   If you aren’t sure who serves your district in the House of Representatives, click on the following link: http://www.house.gov/. On the top left side of your browser, type in your zip code and click “search”.

When contacting your local representative about potential employment opportunities, be sure to mention in the course of your conversation the EEOC’s report on federal hiring of people with disabilities. By networking with your representatives now, you may be able to reap the benefits of future efforts by the federal government to hire people with disabilities.

Feel free to contact me with your questions or thoughts…[email protected].

Rob

* The Federal Government defines people with disabilities per codes on the Office of Personnel Management’s Standard Form. The coded disabilities are as follows: deafness, blindness, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, convulsive disorders, mental retardation, mental illness, and distortion of limb and/or spine.
** Sources: http://www.dol.gov/odep/faqs/working.htm, http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/report/pwtd.html.

Protect Your Medical Equipment Rights!

RADICAL change is occurring in the medical industry and it will directly affect YOU!  However, there is something YOU can do about it! 

• Learn about Competitive Bidding and how it will impact your relationship with your provider and access to quality equipment
•  Learn how to navigate Medicare's new service delivery model
• Learn about the ripple effect to all payors (Medicaid and Private Insurance)
•  Learn what advocates (YOU) can do to stop these changes, effective July 1st

PLEASE forward this email to your network requesting they register and participate in these 2 events. The goal is to generate 1000 plus calls asking Congress to exempt complex rehab (refer to HR.2231 and S.2931) from Competitive Bidding. 

#1. Tuesday, May 20th Kick-Off, 11:00am EDT. Register at
http://recp.rm05.net/ctt?kn=2&m=1072605&r=NzI0MjYwNDE2MgS2&b=0&j=MTA3ODM3NDMyS0&mt=1

 #2. Thursday, May 22nd – Nationwide Consumer and Clinical Legislative Call-in Detailed Call-in Day instructions at
http://recp.rm05.net/ctt?kn=1&m=1072605&r=NzI0MjYwNDE2MgS2&b=0&j=MTA3ODM3NDMyS0&mt=1

You will find who your members of Congress are, how to contact them and talking points. 

Hosted by:

Sunrise Medical 

Sponsored by:

ADAPT
American Association of People with Disabilities
America Paraplegia Society
Boston Medical Center
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
Cody Unser First Steps Foundation
Frazier Rehab and Neuroscience Center
Kennedy-Krieger Institute
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
National Council on Independent Living
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
New Mobility Magazine
Ohio Governors Council on People with Disabilities
Paralyzed Veterans Association
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered
Shepherd Center
The Rehabilitation Center at University of Utah Healthcare
United Spinal Association

Blindness: The Movie

Beth Haller writes about the new movie Blindness recently reviewed at the Cannes Film Festival here and here and here.

"I ... hoped that some blind actors would be involved but haven't heard that they are. I wish non-disabled actors who have some connection to disability would think about advocating on behalf of hiring actors with disabilities. Mark Ruffalo survived a benign brain tumor in 2000 that left him with partial paralysis, which was not permanent. Ruffalo is fine stage and screen actor, who is gaining much more power in Hollywood, and I'd love to see him put that power to good use in assisting actors with disabilities to get hired."

I was pleased to be able to leave this comment on her blog Media Dis&Dat

Blog [with]tv said...

I'm so pleased to have discovered this new movie thanks to you! Steve (Kuusisto) and I (Connie) will be very interested in following this...

As for your comment: "I wish non-disabled actors who have some connection to disability would think about advocating on behalf of hiring actors with disabilities"... That's exactly what Howard Renensland is doing with [with]tv. (www.with-tv.com) The rest of us just need to support him by spreading the word, as I know you have. Thanks for that, too!

~ Connie