#ADA25

[xxjessabugxx]

#throwbackthursday me at the #roadtofreedombus #roadtofreedom #bus #ada25 #ada #disabilityrights #disabilityawareness #disability #fun #life #love #believeinthefangirls #yeahiis #besexy

[dougv00]

@dorcalifornia #Repost @cfilc_1982 #ADAPastPresentFuture #ADA28 ・・・ “Millions of Americans with disabilities have had the chance to develop their talents and make their unique contributions to the world and thanks to them, America is stronger and more vibrant; it is a better country because of the ADA.” - President Barack Obama, 2015 #ADA25 #DisabledandProud #disabilitypride #disabilityrights #disabilityrightsarecivilrights [Red block with white text (quote from post above). CFILC logo. ADA Americans with Disabilities Act 28. 1990-2018] (at Stockton, California)

[technology-disability]

Social media is used for civic engagement and building social inclusion. Twitter is one social media tool that facilitates conversations on important societal events. A digital divide between the general population and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) remains. Given the divide, we sought to understand the inclusion of the community of people with IDD in the conversations around the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). We conducted a content analysis of tweets associated with the anniversary and few tweets referenced the community of people with IDD. Our findings suggest that people with IDD are not included in larger civic conversations. Implications include targeted social media training for people with IDD and their support networks.

[disabilityrightsarkansas]

Laura on the First 25 years of the ADA | #ADA25 in Seattle, WA https://t.co/oueVTS0nTv via @YouTube

Laura on the First 25 years of the ADA | #ADA25 in Seattle, WA https://t.co/oueVTS0nTv via @YouTube

— Disability Rights AR (@DRArkansas) April 14, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/DRArkansas April 14, 2017 at 05:26PM via IFTTT

[ceepstyle]

#TBT to #ADA25 with some of the most wonderful people! I love you all and I still think this picture is amazing

[andreashettle]

Helping to advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act (1st civil rights bill for people with disabilities) at the age of 8 or 9.

[beckymotivates]

A Brand New Day!

“I transformed my thinking so that I could transform my life...I still had the talent, energy, and drive to continue my life as an artist; and I realized I could show other disabled individuals that they could live joyful, creative, expressive, meaningful lives despite their disabilities.”~Zazel-Chavah O’Garra, Founder, ZCO/Dance Project. 

ZCO/Dance Project is meant to encourage the integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in dance and in society. Since its 2013 inception, ZCO/Dance Project has shattered the preconceived notion of what it means to be disabled with transcendent performances that are at once witty, soulful, intelligent, intriguing and nothing short of groundbreaking. Zazel asked me to emcee the ZCO/Dance Project inaugural performance of 2016 last night and I was blown away by the amazing talent. The theme that I was asked to focus on was the name of the opening number “A Brand New Day.” Somehow I ended up adding some comedic material between numbers, since that’s what the audience requested. It was a fun challenge. 

Since ZCO/Dance Project presents the audience with a radical new perspective that shows what it truly means to dance beyond disability, it made my job easy. At the beginning, I shared my story and how this is a "brand new day" for the disability community, as we move beyond the 25th anniversary of the ADA and work towards greater inclusion within society. 

Each morning we wake up, we’re given the opportunity to start a brand new day. Let’s learn from the days before us and not hold grudges. If people make mistakes, they can only learn if you take the opportunity to teach them. For example, I always share the story about how a former colleague reached out to me after she read my CBS Diversity blog post. She wrote to tell me a story about how she was out in public with her child and they saw a dwarf. She decided to pull her child closer to her, rather than encouraging them to socialize. I was then asked if that was the right thing to do. I first started out by saying thank you for sharing this story with me. Then I said that next time she should encourage her child to go up and ask a question. The follow up question always seems to be “what if that person isn’t as approachable as you are?” You only know, if you try. If they’re standoffish, they may just be having a bad day. Take the opportunity to find out what you can learn. Don’t make assumptions and don’t feel bad for mistakes that you made in the past, as long as you’re willing to learn how to fix them. Start a brand new day and learn what you may have not the day before. In the meantime, follow your passions. If you can start a brand new day loving what you do, it makes human interaction that much better. That’s what will bring us closer to a more inclusive society. 

[digitalaccessibility]

Good to see progress on this longstanding access challenge.

[realeconomicimpact]

Hip-Hop Duo Pushes to Get More Americans with Disabilities into the “Mainstream”

Tomorrow, National Disability Institute (NDI) will travel to Capitol Hill to call for a more coordinated effort by the public and private sectors to work together to cut the disability poverty rate in half for the 22 million working-age adults with disabilities in this country by 2025 – the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

We are honored to be joined in this journey by Members of Congress and their staff, thought leaders in the disability, asset development and poverty reduction communities, self-advocates, and our new friends, New York City hip-hop duo Namel “Tapwaterz” Norris and Ricardo “Rickfire” Velasquez of 4WheelCity.

In advance of our December 10th event, “Financial Inclusion and Shared Prosperity – The Next Frontier,” I sat down with the voices and wheels behind the hip-hop duo taking the disability community and music industry by storm with their powerful message and lyrics.

But, first… a little background on Namel and Ricardo.

When Namel was 17-years-old, he was at his sister’s birthday party when his cousin started playing with a gun. The gun accidentally fired, striking Namel in the neck and paralyzing him from the chest down. Meanwhile, Ricardo was a high school senior, walking home after a party when he got caught in the crossfire of a street fight and was shot. The injury left him paralyzed from a spinal cord injury.

After these incidents, both Namel and Ricardo, who were now in wheelchairs, felt shunned by the people they used to hang out with. However, this all changed a few months after Namel’s accident when his mother spotted Ricardo in the building next door and introduced herself and asked him to be her son’s friend. She said he didn’t know anyone else in a wheelchair. Ricardo agreed and they exchanged phone numbers. Once they talked, they soon discovered they had much more in common than “disability.” In fact, and most importantly, both shared an immense passion for music.  

Fast forward to 2006, the same year Namel earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Lehman College, the two men officially launched 4WheelCity: a broader, nonprofit movement to “inspire, educate, advocate, and entertain.”

Since forming 4WheelCity, the hip-hop duo has played at radio stations and performed at numerous clubs in the New York City metropolitan area.

“We have two sides to what we do, and we try to do them both with the same mission, the same purpose,” says Namel. “We do music to inspire people.” At VH1’s Hip-Hop Honors Awards in 2006, 4WheelCity interviewed rap artists and other celebrities in the industry. 4WheelCity was nominated for an Underground Music award and designated one of “50 Unsung Heroes” by the New York Daily News, as well as being featured on CNN and ABC World News Tonight.

I hopped on the phone with Namel and Ricardo to talk about music, poverty and getting more Americans with disabilities into the “Mainstream.”

Dominic: First off, what words would best describe 4WheelCity?”

Ricardo and Namel: “Resilient, brave, leaders, pioneers and survivors. We don’t take ‘no’ for an answer!”

Dominic: “How has your disability changed your life? What insights has it given you? New perspectives?”

Ricardo: “Well, one day I was walking. Then, the next day, I wasn’t. My disability has made me appreciate everything – to take nothing for granted. With my injury, I quickly found out that family will always be there and have your back.”

Namel: “I was always active in sports growing up. After my accident – when I was 17 – suddenly everything changed. I was no longer able to walk or play the sports I used to. My disability changed my state of mind. Before my disability, I was on the wrong path; just another kid from the projects following the wrong crowd. But, after becoming a person with disabilities, I learned our decisions have consequences – good and bad.”

Dominic: “What’s your American Dream? Do you want to own a house? A car? Send your kids to college?”

Ricardo: “I want to be like every other Americans. I want to own my own home and car and have the opportunity to travel the world. I want to be okay financially. Honestly, I’m just tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck.”

Namel: “The American Dream, to me, is all about my finances. Rick and I are two paraplegics from the projects in the Bronx, fighting to make a difference in other peoples’ lives. We are the American Dream, the American Spirit!”

Dominic: “What’s 4WheelCity’s message?”

Namel: “Rick and I are in a unique position. Before we started, the hip-hop world would have never given a second thought to a person with disabilities.”

Ricardo: “Our message is to change the perception and mentality of others toward a person in a wheelchair, or a person with any type of disability. People need to think more and consider people with disabilities.”

Dominic: “What would you like to see happen to Americans with disabilities both culturally and economically?”

Ricardo: “Give us jobs! A lot of us have great ideas… stigma needs to change!��

Namel: “I want the mentality of others and perceptions toward people with disabilities to change. I want people to look beyond the wheelchair. Let’s get rid of the ignorance that exists among some when it comes to access to shops, clubs, taxis, restaurants and so many more places.”

Dominic: “Finally, we are so excited to hear the premiere of your new song, “Mainstream,” tomorrow. What are you trying to get across to people with your newest song?”

Namel: “In the song, we mention the ��mainstream of the economy.” Everyone should have access. We should all have the right to earn and spend our money how we want… be mainstream, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said about the content of your character. It also means that if you work hard, you will have greater opportunities for success. The song is about breaking down barriers; we need to help each other out.”

Ricardo: “’Mainstream’ is a play-on. Everyone should be able to work and dream. No one should be held back. The mainstream is about everyone being ’A-List.’ The song tells the struggle of who we are as artists – our life in poverty. The song’s beat is rugged and reminds me of the Depression. We are letting the world know we and so many other people with disabilities are coming!”

To learn more about 4WheelCity, please visit their official website. To download any of their songs or albums, go to: http://4wheelcitymusic.reverbnation.com/.

Dominic Manecke is the Communications Specialist for National Disability Institute (NDI). Dominic has more than seven years of professional experience in communications and public affairs. Prior to joining NDI, Dominic served as deputy press secretary for Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-03). Dominic has extensive experience drafting and editing all forms of communication, event planning, media training, managing various social media platforms and conceptualizing and implementing targeted outreach campaigns.

[exceptionalunivrse]

Visionary Employers "See the Light": Disability Hiring

Visionary Employers “See the Light”: Disability Hiring

An increasing number of employers are beginning to “see the light” with regards to hiring people with disabilities.

Carol Glazer, President of the National Organization on Disability, has posted an article in the Huffington Post,  Retailers Can Learn From Each Other When it Comes to Disability Hiring, where she highlights the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and how some employers are…

[dearjulianna-blog]

Dear Julianna,

I’ve been thinking a lot about you. When I saw a photo of you on the Internet, my first thought was, “Hey, that girl looks like me! We’re wearing similar masks!” I don’t know why, but it makes me excited when I see other people like myself in the world.

It wasn’t always that way. When I was your age, I didn’t like all the attention that was on me because of my disability. I was the only girl in a wheelchair in my church and at school for most of my childhood. I would be embarrassed when someone in a wheelchair wanted to make friends with me.

Later on, I realized this is very normal—it takes time for people to figure out who they are and their place in the world. I learned that I’m a part of many different communities and I have a number of important roles and responsibilities: I’m a sister, a daughter, a friend, a researcher, and an Asian-American disabled woman. I’m also a person who loves cartoons, cats, and coffee. This is why I hope you will decide to spend more time on earth—there is a lot to discover and learn that might change the way you think about life.

I had a hard time when I was young imagining what my life would be like as a 30-year old or a 40-year old. It seemed so far away and impossible! Guess what? I’m 41 now. Old, huh?

It’s understandable to be afraid and want an end to discomfort and pain. With so many changes, it’s scary to think of what’s next and if it’s going to be worse. Each time something changed with my health, I learned to adapt and then what seemed bad and hard at first turned out to be ok. It became the new normal.

Over time as my body changes and grows weaker, my life is actually more exciting and fun. It sounds strange, but it’s true! Lots of developments in devices (a portable Bi-Pap, a ROHO cushion) and other services help me live a comfortable and independent life. Even though I can’t get out of bed by myself, I’m still the boss of me! I decide what I want to do everyday and who helps me. This is possible for you too one day. 

The Internet and Facebook led me to finding people like myself. We often share valuable tips on living and our personal stories. I’m at a point in my life where I appreciate this and try to give back. Many of us want to share a message to your and your family and my message is: “A good life isn’t defined as one without pain and suffering. There are lots of different ways to live that can make you happy. You are not alone and there is power in finding a community that supports you.”

I hope to meet you one day, maybe on a Skype video call or some new technology in the future! After all, I might be living on Mars or another planet in our universe!!

Your friend from San Francisco,

Alice

Image Descriptions: 1) A close up picture of Alice wearing her BiPap mask. 2) Alice at the White House talking with President Obama at a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 2015. Alice used a telepresence robot to participate in this event. 3) Alice in her power wheelchair, wearing a green jacket and a green beanie hat with Yoda ears. She is smiling, and pointing at life-size R 2 D 2 from Star Wars, who has a red light saber attached to him. 4) Alice smiling in a red jacket while using her power wheelchair. In front of her is a table with a white cake with strawberries on top and multicolored candles that spell out “Happy Birthday.” 5) Alice in her power wheelchair with her mother beside her. They are both smiling on a patio with trees behind them.

[jmjfemi]

My partner in crime.. literally #panelist #ADA25 #ADAForum

[jensencaraballo]

Director of Advocacy at the Center for Disability Rights, Stephanie Woodward, speaking truth about violence against women with disabilities. I'm so grateful for this. Can y'all relate? Even if you can't relate, educate yourselves. Then hit that reblog button to educate your people.

[kinggimp]

Interesting, #ESPN reports the SC can't fire head coach under the #ADA if he in... http://ow.ly/Tjd5G 

[anniezaleski]

My Response: I Love Wrigley Field, But as a Wheelchair User, I Sure Wish It Was Easier to Navigate

First off, bravo to this CityLab piece on accessibility at Wrigley Field. It was really well done -- I'd actually be curious if the Cubs have a response to it. A lot of what this author wrote about was familiar, since I was at Wrigley in late August for the Foo Fighters show. I wanted to share my experience, as I had a similar -- albeit much better -- one. Getting into the stadium, yes, was a bit treacherous, since when we went, most of the area around the stadium was still under heavy construction. However, we got in there okay, and just inside the main gate were stopped by a worker, who asked us if we needed assistance to our seats. Since our tickets were wayyyy up in the upper deck, we said sure. They directed us to an area full of quasi-wheelchairs (the streamlined ones favored by some airports), and someone pushed me allll the way up the ramps to our seats. Because, yes, as the CityLab article notes, the elevators are out. Our attendant was wonderful -- and when we finally got to our seats, they noted where we were and said they'd come and get me when the show was over. By a stroke of dumb luck, we actually happened to be behind home plate, by the single-user disabled bathroom I believe the story mentions, with a security member fiercely guarding the door. Yes -- that's *exactly* what should happen, and bravo. I watched her direct people toward other bathrooms for the entire show. I got tired early, so we left the show a little early. We asked security, who was able to radio and get our guy up to us, and he pushed me down the ramps. This, admittedly, was kind of scary, since they had to go down these BACKWARDS -- meaning, the attendant was taking giant steps backwards, and I was facing the way from which we came the entire time. (I'm afraid of heights and roller coasters, so I was a little anxious.) But we got down safely, and got a cab with no problem. What the author noted about ticket upgrades, however, rang true: I've been to MLB games in both St. Louis and Cleveland with a friend who uses a wheelchair, and the disabled seats are not cheap. I'm not sure if the tickets cost any more than others on the level -- it's been a few years -- but the accessible seats aren't more affordable. Asking someone to pay extra for an upgrade because existing tickets aren't accessible I'm pretty sure is illegal, for the record -- kudos to the author for refusing to pay. Adapting older buildings and upgrading them to modern ADA standards is one of the most pressing challenges we face, but is also one that's extremely difficult. I'm glad a story like this exists, to highlight that while we're getting better, we still have a long way to go.

[anthemwi-blog]

Anthem Receives Silver Award from Disability Rights Wisconsin

Anthem was recognized by Disability Rights Wisconsin at a luncheon marking the 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act on Monday, October 5 at the Wisconsin Club in downtown Milwaukee.  The event honored companies, organizations and individuals positively changing and improving the lives of people with disabilities in Wisconsin. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Wisconsin Medicaid president Leon Lamoreaux accepted the award on the company’s behalf.