The winner of Britain’s Got Talent this year is…
The Lost Voice Guy!
He is very funny, but his message is serious (which makes for brilliant comedy.). As he says, “I was disabled before I was popular.” Furthermore, “People were laughing at me even before I became a comedian.”
One fan on YouTube has compiled this vignette of his journey:
We’ll let him tell of the rest of his journey!
February is Black History Month, and March is Women’s History Month. Many notable African American women made lasting contributions despite their disabilities. It is important, however, to “see the person, not the disability.” The late Australian comedienne and disability advocate coined the term inspiration porn in protest that people with disabilities should be objects of inspiration to make non-disabled people feel good. Four examples, from top to bottom and left to right, are Harriet Tubman (1822–1913), abolitionist known for her work on the Underground Railroad, Fannie Lou Hamer (1917–1977), civil rights activist, and Maya Angelou (1928–2014), laureate poet, and Wilma Rudolph (1940–1994), track and field Olympian.
Often, public transport and paratransit provide lifelines to accessibility to the community. Here are ten things one should know about paratransit.
In our neck of the woods, Mercer County, New Jersey, the Greater Mercer TMA offers an invaluable travel training program for all users of public transportation, especially people with a disability and senior citizens.
In addition, a program for health care professionals to assist their clients in using mass transit will be offered on June 28:
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More good things from my new feed. He couldn’t speak and he couldn’t respond. For the first 15 years of his life, Gordy Baylinson’s parents thought their son didn’t understand what they were saying to him. via ‘This is not a cry for pity’: Non-speaking teen writes profound letter explaining autism — Global News
Monday, January 4, was the birthday of a remarkable Frenchman named Louis Braille. His name is familiar worldwide for the ingenious system of raised dots he invented, bringing the gift of reading and writing to millions of blind and visually impaired people. Though he devised his system to quench his thirst for knowledge and music, he was equally motivated to share his alphabet to help others like him. Louis Braille, therefore, is a man we admire deeply for his advocacy and self-advocacy. His ingenuity is an example of assistive technology par excellence.
Louis Braille (1809-1852)
It all began 201 years ago, when a 5-year-old boy in Coupvray, France, was playing with his father’s leather-making tools. The awl, a leather punch tool slipped from his hand and impaled his eyes. His determination to recover from life-threatening infections was matched by that to make the most of his life. Louis Braille studied hard and showed the intelligence and diligence; with the support of his parents, he admitted to the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, one of the first such institutions.
At the Royal Institute, Louis would develop the system that, to this day, bears his name. There, a philanthropist created books with raised letters for the students to read. There was a problem with this early effort, however. That is, these books were very heavy to hold and extremely expensive to produce. In addition, a fine and dedicated student like Louis Braille found it most difficult to recall words by the time he reached the end of the sentence. That notwithstanding, Louis finished all 14 books in the library and hungered for more.
This engraving from “Essay on the Instruction of the Blind” (Essai sur l’Instruction des Aveugles], by Sebastien Guillie, shows a teacher assisting a blind student, helping him holds a stylus.
Louis Braille was also thinking of his fellow students when he said, “Access to communication … is access to knowledge, and that is vitally important for us if we [the blind] are not to go on being despised or patronized by condescending sighted people.” He continued, “We do not need pity, nor do we need to be reminded we are vulnerable. We must be treated as equals – and communication is the way this can be brought about.”
As luck would have it, Braille met a man by the name of Charles Barbier de la Serre, who had just created a system of writing for the French army he called “night writing,” enabling soldiers to communicate in the dark. (It is ironic that Braille was exempted from serving in the military because of his blindness.) Though Barbier’s system of raised dots was a major improvement of what existed, the military code proved too complex. Nevertheless, Braille was inspired to create his own system. Back at home, it occurred to Braille that the very tool that blinded him could be used to create the raised dots for his alphabet! This was the gift he shared with the students at the Royal Institute.
Here’s the genius of Braille’s system: Braille’s alphabet consists of a series cells containing, in a 2 x 3 grid, a raised dot or a blank space. Though there are only six dots or spaces, they can be combined in 64 different ways, allowing for other characters, including letter from other alphabets. After all, Braille was a gifted mathematician! (It is also worth noting that Louis Braille was an eager and a talented musician; he was able to adapt his system of writing to musical notation and write the original manual to help others.) So, Braille’s system of raised dots remains the foundation for many of today’s advanced-technology communication devices for the blind and visually impaired. What’s more, Braille designed an ingenious machine that would allow blind and sighted persons alike to create manuscripts – both reading and writing! Drawing on this development, a friend of Braille by the name of Foucault, invented a machine to emboss letters on paper, much in the manner of a typewriter. Today, a great deal of assistive technology is being developed to further the access of the written word for blind people. Yet, all these high-tech devices owe their very foundation to the ingenious 2-by-3 grid of raised dots that started with Louis Braille.
Helen Keller
“Braille has been a most precious aid to me in many ways. It made my going to college possible–it was the only method by which I could take notes of lectures. All my examination papers were copied for me in this system. I use Braille as a spider uses its web – to catch thoughts that flit across my mind for speeches, messages and manuscripts.”
T.S. Eliot
“Perhaps the most enduring honor to the memory of Louis Braille is the half-conscious honor we pay him by applying his name to the script he invented – and, in this country [England], adapting the pronunciation of his name to our own language. We honor Braille when we speak of braille. His memory has in this way a security greater than that of the memories of many men more famous in their day.”
At Advancing Opportunities, we excel in providing residential and respite services to people of with all disabilities, along with advocacy and education services for parents and guardians and assistive technology support. As a leader in the field, we are pleased to share our experience, knowledge, and expertise with the disability community through our social media outlets: Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. In our Disability and Ability Highlights of the Week column, we will select the best of what we found and shared and present them. Please click on the titles with embedded links to find the full article.
This timber wolf at the Lakota Wolf preserve, Columbia, NJ, looks forward to frolicking in the snow. Photo: Copyright, Daniel L. Berek 2015
For parents of a child with a disability:
To the parents of children with special needs who feel bad about having to cancel plans… Again.
Disability awareness:
This week’s inaugural Ruderman Inclusion Summit focused on making the Jewish community and society at large more welcoming for people with disabilities.
Here’s a roundup of the Ruderman Family Foundation Inclusion Summit
Animal Appetites – A woman from Vancouver, BC, Canada, writes a charming children’s book, while her autistic brother illustrates it.
Employment for people with disabilities:
A research study exposes discrimination in hiring people with physical disabilities and Asperger syndrome.
Medical news – research:
A unique research project on developmental dyslexia has been launched at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw, Poland. It is aimed at examining different factors responsible for development of the reading disorder.
Rutgers launches a center for adults with autism.
What about autistic adults? A new study sheds light on the health needs of adults with autism.
Important steps forward have been made in the hunt for easily measurable biomarkers of autism.
Parenting:
Webinar: NJ DDD Live Supports Program – Individual & Family Focused
Mon., Nov. 9, 4-5 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 2, 10-11 a.m.
Tue., Dec. 29, 4-5 p.m.
This regularly scheduled session gives individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities and their families an opportunity to ask the Director, Supports Program & Employment Services questions and get the latest news about the Division of Developmental Disabilities Supports Program launched in July 2015. All stakeholders are welcome to attend these webinars, but information provided will be focused on questions submitted by individuals and family members.
To register, or for more information, please go to:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1352353492200130049
In 1981, Fred Rogers had a simple, yet profound message for Jeff Erlanger, a boy who was permanently disabled during a complex surgery. The sincere positivity of both Jeff and Mister Rogers shone through.
“Fast forward” some 20 years latter, and Fred has a surprise reunion with Jeff, now a young man. Said Jeff. “You know, when you tell people that ‘It’s you I like,’ you know that you really mean it. And tonight, I want to let you know that, on behalf of millions of children and grown-ups, it is you that I like.”
Just recently, the online magazine and blog, Petzoid, reminded us how Fred Rogers has touched the lives of so many children, who as adults never forget the kindness of this of a very special man.
Meet Julia, the latest Muppet friend. The rest of the Sesame Street gang know that she’s amazing. She even has her own hashtag: #SeeAmazing
Sesame Street, introduced in 1969, is seen in more than 150 countries around the world. Always a champion of inclusion, the highly respected show on October 21, 2015, launched “Sesame Street and Autism.” This initiative has opened to considerable acclaim.
Its anthem,“The Amazing Song,” raises autism awareness and acceptance among its young audience. Christine Ferraro, who wrote the lyrics to the song, explains her connection to autism, in that she has a brother on the spectrum. This led her to feature siblings in the video and other instructional materials, to help these neurotypical children better cope with their situation. In welcoming their new friend, Julia – who happens to be autistic – the Sesame Street Muppets sing in unison, “Every kid is an original; we’re all one of a kind We’re all as different as can be, but in some important ways, we’re all the same – we can all be friends, because there’s so much we can share. We all have feelings We all need a friend who can understand.”
In a video to introduce the show, Julia explains, “lots of kids have autism” And “that means their brains just work a little differently,” she continues. She introduces us to her some of her human friends, like Nasaiah. His mom helps him learn how to play with other boys his age. A family helps a younger sister, Yesenia, with everyday self-care activities. Louie’s father talks about how his son made him “so much a better person, a better father.” Says a mom, “I just think he looks at the world in a very different way than we do. I don’t think it’s a bad way…. I think it’s amazing.” According to Sesame Street executive Sherrie Wilson, “Families with autistic children tend to gravitate toward digital content, which is why we created Julia digitally.”
“Sesame Street and Autism. Family Time with Grover.” The beloved blue Muppet introduces us to Angie, who has a very special way with her two younger brothers. Although they are twins and both have autism, they are very different personalities. This is perhaps the best testament to the old adage, “When you have met one person with autism, you have met an autistic person.”
Frank Campagna, the writer of the respected blog “Autism Daddy” is one of the video producers at Children’s Television Workshop. In his blog, he discusses how, after the birth of his severely autistic son, he sought ways in which to spread autism awareness through the award-winning children’ show.
ASAN, the Autism Self Advocacy Network, is also a partner. In a public statement, the organization proclaimed, “Sesame Street should be commended for reaching out to and focusing on the many voices of the autistic community… aimed at ending stigma and increasing understanding and inclusion of autistic children.”
“Sesame Street and Autism” offers a variety of resources, including:
Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street
Come and play
Everything’s A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That’s where we meet….
Disability advocates and self-advocates do not allow disability to define who they are… or aren’t. The same idea applies to employment. In fact, October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. For 2015, the theme is “My Disability Is One Part of Who I Am.” The idea goes back some 70 years, to October 1945, when President Harry S Truman declared the National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In recognizing people with all disabilities, the word “physically” was removed in 1962. Then, in 1988, Congress literally expanded the name to its current form. Also noteworthy is the 1978 book by special-education teacher Marc Gold, Try Another Way, to teach adults with intellectual disabilities to perform complex tasks, becoming the basis of supported employment.
This book, written by special-education teacher Marc Gold, would form the foundation of supported employment for people with disabilities.
One could also go back to the turn of the previous century and revisit the efforts of Elizabeth Farrell, who at the Henry Street School in New York City used manual work as one way to provide a meaningful experience for her students with severe special needs.
What’s Good
This year, 2015, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation has done much to help ensure that people with disabilities have access to meaningful work. There has been a marked trend in the increase of employment agencies and business leadership groups, most notably the U.S. Business Leadership Network, which specialize in helping job seekers with a disability find a job and for companies to find these candidates. An important step was in 1983, with the founding of the Job Accommodation Network, an initiative that offers guidance and information to work toward solutions to benefit both parties on issues of hiring and accommodation.
A notable government effort, the AbilityOne Program, established in 2006, helps people with severe disabilities by requiring the federal government to purchase specific products and services from companies that hire these individuals.
The What Can You Do? Campaign for disability employment is “a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace” by offering a wide variety of resources. Even more recent is the February 2015 the White House publication Recruiting, Hiring, Retaining and Promoting People with Disabilities.
Some organizations have specific groups in mind. For young adults, there is the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability, to ensure that transition age youth are provided full access to high-quality services in integrated settings to gain education, employment, and access to independent living.
Noteworthy among regional efforts is the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, which launched a new public awareness campaign, Your Next Star, to alert employers to the benefits of having people with Down syndrome in the workplace. Among the benefits of employing people with Down syndrome they cite the following:
What’s Not So Good
If work is such an important part of citizenship and civic responsibility, then should not as many people as possible be working? Moreover, having work confers individuals with status and a sense of meaning, as well as independence and dignity. However, even with the considerable success of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), many people with disabilities remain unemployed or underemployed. Recent U.S. Bureau of the Census statistics present a sobering picture:
And we learn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the following:
In a recent report, just as young adults with autism feel disconnected in school, one in three feel the same in the work place afterward.
Looking Ahead
While significant challenges exist, one thing we can learn from many people with disabilities is that with hard work, challenges can be overcome.
“Disabled Does Not Mean Unable” was a classic among U.S. Post Office philatelic offerings. It was issued in recognition of the International Year of Disabled Persons, 1981
Direct-support professionals are the individuals who work directly with individuals with disabilities. Without doubt, their jobs require not only patience and hard work, but also empathy and a willingness to accept people for who they are. With their assistance and guidance, they enable people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities live in the least-restrictive environment, with as much independence as possible, along with the opportunity to integrate with the community.
Direct-support professionals enable people with all disabilities live a fulfilling life with as much independence as possible.
For the eighth consecutive year, the U.S. Senate has recognized National Direct Support Professionals Week. For 2015, This recognition falls on the week of September 13 through September 19. Led by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the bipartisan bill passed with unanimous support. This recognition is the primary objective of the ANCOR (The American Network of Community Options Resources) National Advocacy Campaign. According to ANCOR, more than 1 million individuals with all disabilities rely on direct-support professionals.
“Today, we have the opportunity to recognize the millions of direct support professionals who provide essential services to individuals with disabilities, to thank them for their commitment and dedication, and to express our appreciation for the critically important work they do every day throughout our country,” said Senator Cardin. “Each Direct Support Professional brings us closer as a nation to achieving the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act of full community participation for individuals with disabilities. These dedicated professionals work tirelessly every day of the year providing skilled and compassionate supports to individuals with disabilities,” added Senator Collins.
The CQL (The Council on Quality and Leadership) and NADSP (The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals), two professional accreditation agencies that set standards for these employees, urge individuals to show appreciation for the direct-support individuals in their lives.
Celebrating Individual Abilities 