What Would You Do: Customers ridicule waiter for stuttering | What Would...

Welcome Back Everyone~

Last week ABC's What Would You Do featured a young waiter with a small stutter. While most people probably wouldn't consider this a disability, approximately 70 million people have this condition worldwide. Some more prominent figures have severed with it also, including Julia Roberts, Joe Biden, and King George VI. In 20% of these cases, the condition can last into their adulthood-sometimes leading to teasing or bullying. In this scenario, here were some of the inspirational responses:

"There's plenty of people with disabilities. We have to respect that and they have value.. " said one customer

"I can't believe you guys... He's a good kid trying to make a living and you're taking his disability out on him... Why shouldn't everyone have the opportunity to do what they want? He's quite competent.

I agree 100% with these sentiments; although I don't always agree with the way What Would You Do shows its political side. But that's just me. For your encouragement and entertainment, I have included the segment below for those who are interested.

God Bless and Happy Wednesday,

THE GOOD DOCTOR Official Trailer (HD) Freddie Highmore ABC Drama

Welcome Back Readers,

Along with the topic of CP being highlighted in ABC's  Speechless, the disability of autism has been added to ABC's lineup. The Good Doctor, which premiered on Monday, features a main character with high functioning autism, joining the ranks as part of the residency team at a local hospital. His job may be in jeopardy, though, because colleagues debate his competency to do with the drama and even appear for his interview-he is late, though, because he tries to save a child's life. The show premiered on Monday September 25 at 10 p.m.

For more information on this series, please go to:

http://abc.go.com/shows/the-good-doctor/episode-guide/season-01/1-pilot-burnt-food

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6470478/

"Who I AM" (60 seconds, subtitles)

Dear Readers~

Although I have several basic blogs over the last couple months, many of them have lacked substance. For that, I have to apologize. Over the last two months, I have struggled with yet another real-life scenario ... unemployment. That's right folks. I got laid off.

It's ironic because almost 4 months ago I wrote about the importance of finding one's mission field and using the gifts and talents you've been given to support those around you. Now I can't help but feel I'm back at square one. That's not to say I didn't love and appreciate what I did using my talent of writing to improve understanding on exactly what it takes to make technology accessible to those with disabilities. The job also offered the unique platform on which I shared my experiences working with technology on a daily basis. More important though, it gave me a reason to wake up in the morning.

Even though I spent a majority of time teleworking, my coworkers went above and beyond making me feel a part of the team. They looked past my disability and saw my potential and for that I will always be grateful. I believe everyone with a disability should have the same opportunity.

That being said, I strongly applaud the  public service announcement that has aired over the last several months that emphasizes opportunities for the disabled. People with disabilities need to be seen for more than their limitations. We have so much more to give society; we just need to be given the chance to succeed!

Another Interesting Article Showing Startling Trends regarding Employers Hiring the Disabled

Welcome Back,

Okay, so I came across this article regarding disability employment in Canada. It says employers are hesitant to hire people with disabilities. I wonder if this is a developing trend..

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2009/11/05/employer-attitudes-ca/6059/

October is National Disability employment Awareness Month.

Hi~

Welcome back everyone.

I hope everybody enjoyed their weekend as much as I did. I'm still taking it slow recovering from my surgery. It wasn't as bad as I suspected it would be. I just can't wait for the day when I say I actually worked a nine hour day. That's right everyone. I finally have a job.. All that's left to do is sign the paperwork and report to work. Well, not really report to work. The truth is, I will be working as a consultant and doing research for a company.

Which brings me to today's topic of employment.

Did you know that October is National Employment Awareness Month?

Don't feel bad, I didn't know either until reading about it in a article.

I have decided to include the article link here, as I am still recovering from surgery and I find it hard to condense a small article such as this one. (Okay, so I am taking the easy way out this time) I Found it quite interesting myself.

Anyway, here it is:

http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/B8/20070926/NEWS01/709260309/1002

On the job: what does that mean for people with disabilities

Hello everyone,


Okay, so I realize it's been a while since I've updated this blog with the latest disability news. Looking at my previous posts, it's been over three months since I posted regularly. Wow, that's a long time. I am just now starting to catch up on things in my life. A lot has changed for me during this time. As my regular readers have learned, I have been actively seeking a job for a while now. Thanks to my dad and his contacts at the local university, I am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting a job. By that I mean I actually have an interview! A real interview… it is set for July 13, soon after my family and I return from our usual Fourth of July vacation in Washington, DC. I am scheduled to meet with someone who deals with their hiring of general staff. There are no exact details on a position, but dad has given her a list of my abilities so she can have a chance to determine exactly where I may fit in at the University. Personally, my dad and I are both hoping that the position involves utilizing my skills as both a writer and researcher in order to help their professors. I have always had an interest in advocating for people with disabilities, so anything in the paralegal field would be great.


At this point, anything would be appreciated. I just need to get some experience under my belt of being out there in the real world. I still have a lot to learn; I look forward to experiencing both the joys and trials of having a job because I realize that it's just another part of life. In this respect, I realize I am not alone in my struggle to find a job. There are many people with different disabilities who are in a similar position. Take for example this October 2006 editorial by Ann Bauer entitled, "Willing, Able -- and Unemployable". In it, she tells this story of her 18-year-old autistic son struggling to find the perfect job. Despite his sensitive spirit and being "eerily responsible", his interview attempts remained unsuccessful. He encountered many barriers in the process of getting a job, such as a psychological test, which eliminates "people on the edge of the bell curve" at Target. She goes on to say that over the next decade 4 million people will be diagnosed with autism.


What does this mean for us as a society? Bauer answers this question by exploring the many options to her. She could sue, but for what? Bauer says , " Legal action wouldn't get Andrew, now nearly 19, working. What it would do is force him to defend himself and his abilities in court -- this young man who's still reluctant to speak at school." Wow, that gives people a lot to think about. In my opinion, the foundation of the issue still remains the same. Acceptance and understanding of a disability is vital to eliminating stereotype and bridging the gap between people. That being said, I would like to highlight some important steps public relations have taken as part of this process. For example, there is the Autism Speaks campaign. Check out the amazing "Autism Every Day" ads. They can be accessed at: http://www.autismspeaks.org/


For additional information on Autism , feel free to visit Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

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Citation:

Bauer , Ann. "Willing, Able-- and Unemployable ." Washington Post.com 30 October 1998 . 28 June 2007http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/29/AR2006102900544.html