Blog [with]tv

McCain, Obama, And The Politics of Homogenizing Autism

By: William Stillman

In response to the Autism Society of America and National Health Council’s recent Town Hall Meeting on health reform, both presidential candidates, Senators McCain and Obama, stated their respective positions on autism and how our government should respond.

Both acknowledge the seriousness of addressing a “national crisis,” defined by McCain, ranging from funding for research, early detection, treatment, educational supports, and long-term, viable employment for the thousands of soon-to-be adults with autism. Senator Obama also advocates implementing $1 billion annually for autism research and treatment though what that entails and how it would differ from what presently occurs is uncertain (Obama improperly melds autism with other disabilities).

McCain rightly suggests “there is no single [treatment] approach” and recommends a “range of activities to improve the…

Walgreens is Leading the Way

Buzzing in the Workplace
By: Rob Roy 

Walgreens is Leading the Way
Buzzing in the Workplace
By: Rob Roy

Walgreens, the nation's largest drugstore chain, is leading the way in enhancing hiring of people with disabilities. On June 14, 2007, the company opened a new distribution center in Anderson, North Carolina equipped with technology and management training to facilitate hiring and retaining people with disabilities.  The center has touch screens for the vision-impaired, flexible workstations, wheelchair ramps and elevators. All workers receive disability awareness training, and managers go through a special program run by the University of North Carolina on supporting disabled employees.

For the past year, the distribution center has staffed approximately 400 people, almost 40% of who have a disclosed disability.  The center’s creation is not about empathy and is not subjected to lower performance expectations. Each team member is expected to perform at same level regardless of whether or not he or she has a disability.

In fact, the distribution center has shown the positive contribution people with disabilities can make to companies. The center is Walgreen’s most efficient distribution center in the United States and has been a tremendous success that the company is opening a new center in Windsor, Connecticut later this year.
The following is a  clip about the Anderson, N.C. center featured on NBC’s Nightly News with Brian Williams:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B2akb4v2cUQ

To learn more about the distribution center in Anderson, North Carolina or to consider employment opportunities with the company – visit www.Walgreensoutreach.com.  The website is designed to be accessible by people with sensory, physical and cognitive disabilities

Thanks, Walgreens, for being an example and leading the way.

Inclusive Media Channel [with]tv: Vision for Authentic Window into Community of People with Disabilities

Pam Vetter

July 21, 2008

"My inspiration for [with]tv came from lifetime experiences of raising my daughter, Victoria, who was born with developmental disabilities," said Howard Renensland, CEO & Founder of [with]tv. "The moment we are broadcasting, we will overnight change the lives of people with disabilities by providing an authentic window into the community."

While [with]tv is still in the start-up stage, Renensland has received support from around the world.

Continue reading Pam Vetter's article here: Inclusive Media Channel [with]tv

Photo: Howard Renensland with his daughter, Victoria.

National Forum on Disability Issues

National Forum on Disability Issues
featuring
The 2008 Presidential Candidates (invited)

July 26, 2008
Columbus, Ohio

If you can't make the event in person, you can sign up for the Webcast event.

Read all about it HERE.

Puppy Love - How Canine Assistants Can Transform Lives

Submitted by Karen Stallings 

Canine Assistants - www.canineassistants.com is a Milton, Georgia-based nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs free of charge to adults and children with physical disabilities and special needs. Because training can take up to a year and costs nearly $20,000, BJ Warehouse has partnered with Milkbone in sponsoring 25 service dogs since 1999.

One of the dogs, Polly, is a helper and best friend to seven-year-old Justin Narvaez,  son of Tampa, Florida BJ's member, Sary Narvaez.  Justin has Alexander Disease, a rare condition that damages nerve cells in the brain. Because he can't speak, his mother can't always tell how much he understands. But when Justin met Polly, his physical limitations were transcended by what Jennifer Arnold, founder of Canine Assistants, calls "a dog's power of unconditional acceptance."

Listening Not a Problem for Juror Who is Hearing Impaired

Submitted by Karen Stallings 

In Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia, a jury convicted a man of murder and sentenced him to life in prison. What stood out for many about the trial was one of the jurors. He was hearing impaired. Though a juror who is hearing impaired is not unprecedented, it was the first for the veteran judge, attorneys and other jurors. Two interpreters translated the proceedings using sign language.

The juror had been summoned for jury duty twice before but was never selected. "I feel I am an American citizen and I should be able to be on a jury like everyone else" said the juror. "Before the end of the first day, everyone forgot he was hearing impaired" said the jury forewoman.

The few modifications made for the trial included moving some equipment so the sight lines for the juror and the interpreters wouldn't be blocked. The intepreters were sworn in as officers of the court. Also, exhibits and witness lists were reviewed before they were presented.

Other jurors remarked that the intepreters, rather than being a distraction, became an enhancement by clarifying issues discussed. They said that not only was the juror who was hearing impaired getting all the verbal information, but was obviously getting a lot from the witnesses that wasn't verbal.

Just how much the juror took in became clear during the jury's two hour deliberations. He asked more questions than any other juror and made sure every aspect of the trial was thoroughly discussed before a verdict was reached.

"We knew when we left the jury room that our verdict was above and beyond any doubt whatsoever and a lot of that had to do with the juror that was hearing impaired " said the jury forewoman.

For the College Bound and their parents

From the Disability411 Podcast, hosted by Beth Case...

Do you know someone with a disability who is planning to attend college in the fall? Then don't miss this show, with lots of good tips for preparing for college, getting services in college, and how life is different for students with disabilities in college than high school. Even if college is a few years away, it's not too early to start looking ahead!

Listen to Show 53: Preparing for College

Press Release re: the ADA Amendments Act

House of Representatives Approves Bill to Protect Americans with Disabilities from Discrimination

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC -- {The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation today to stop discrimination against individuals with disabilities by restoring the original intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A Different Perspective with Scott Rains

Scheduled for today on A Different Perspective is Howard Renensland's interview with Scott Rains (as seen in the photo).  Scott, of the Rolling Rains Report, is a very busy man these days and if you're at all interested in travel, you'll want to listen in. 

(As I post this right this minute, the link to Scott's interview is not yet up.  But "stay tuned" and check the A Different Perspective link above.  Any minute now...)

LINKS:

Sea Wolf, Waypoint Yacht Charter Services, SATH, TripWolf.com, BrazilMax, Scott's Alaska Photos

[with]tv needed in China. STAT.

Dr. Mark Mostert, host of the blog Disability Matters, recently wrote:

Well, well, well.

A day or two ago, London’s Times reported that official, but curious, Chinese attitudes towards people with disabilities have surfaced in the run-up to this summer’s Olympics, and, perhaps more unfortunately, for the World Paralympics also scheduled for Beijing in September.

It turns out that the official Olympic guide for both events, “Skills for helping the disabled,” distributed to 100,000 Chinese volunteers, contains a curious mix of plain old prejudice and plain old ignorance.

Read on:  Disability Dust-Up in Beijing