Friday, November 1, 2013

Disability.gov - 6 great guest blogs in Oct. 2013

from Disability.gov....

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We hope you read these 6 great guest blogs that were posted earlier this month:

By Guest Blogger Emily Buchanan, writer and editor for Chartwell, a disability travel insurance provider in the United Kingdom
Travelling with a disability can be challenging. From booking flights to arranging transfers and getting used to a new environment, wheelchair users may find their experience hindered by accessibility issues and unexpected delays. However, this shouldn’t stop people with disabilities from travelling.
Extensive world travel is a fantastic tool for wellbeing, providing a sense of identity, independence and personal value. As in daily life, the best way to enjoy glitch-free travel is to prepare for every eventuality. Whilst this will involve a lot of forward thinking, it will mean that you can board the plane with peace of mind and start your trip as you mean to go on....

By Guest Blogger Harley Thomas, Director of Corporate Marketing, Industries for the Blind, Inc. – Milwaukee
Finding employment in the last few years has been difficult for almost all Americans—disabled or not. When you do finally find an open position and secure an interview, how do you ensure you’re presenting your best self? Below are some tips to help you prepare for a job interview.
  1. Finding positions: There are many resources available to job hunters. Make sure to use multiple methods of searching to maximize your results. Word of mouth is a great one. Talk to friends or family members about their employers or anyone they know who is hiring. Reach out to everyone you can think of—your social circle, church groups, neighbors. You never know where an opportunity lies. Network, network, network….

By Guest Blogger Paula Reuben Vieillet, President and Founder, Employment Options, Inc.
Not all vocational challenges are visible. The nice thing about having a hidden disability is that you may not directly be discriminated against because of your disability. The bad part is that you might not be aware that you have a vocational disability.
People with ‘hidden disabilities’ may feel as if they are misunderstood or different. They may wonder why they have difficulty working in certain types of environments or performing certain tasks. Maintaining employment is also another challenge.
Once you understand your challenges, it will become easier for you to identify jobs that are right for you, and you will be better able to manage your condition in the workplace….

By Guest Blogger Saundra Kelley, an oral tradition story-teller and author
In the ‘50s, academic problems and physical disabilities in children sometimes led to the label of “retard” by their peers. I should know. I am now 65, and that was my experience.
Not long after I began grade school, it became obvious that I was different. Reading was impossible, tying my shoes—how can one reverse what one sees? Writing? Arithmetic? Forget it. Fortunately, I attended a university laboratory school, but in the ‘50s, little was known about learning differences.
My parents and teachers employed all sorts of methods to bring me around; after all, I was a bright child and eager to learn. I am here to tell you, however, that the process did terrible things to my self-esteem. Assigned to a class with other mentally and physically challenged children, I soon ingested the fundamentals of self-hatred and shame….

By Guest Blogger Josh Mendelsohn, Attorney, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
My parents’ regrets led me here.
In 1988, deaf students at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. were rallying against the appointment of a new University president who was hearing and knew nothing about deaf culture. They were marching to the Capitol every day, and attracting more and more support and news attention as each one passed.
I was attending college in California, and wanted to fly across the country to join the rallies, marches and protests. However, being the poor college freshman I was, I couldn’t afford to travel without my parents’ support. So, I called my mother on the TTY and asked her if she’d allow me to charge the cost of the flight onto her credit card. She was dubious and tried to dissuade me from going. The expense was great, she said, and it’d mean time away from my studies….

By Guest Blogger Işıl Tanyeri, Advocate Program Coordinator, ABC Medical
Technology continues to shape our everyday lives. Virtual meetings give us the ability to connect with people from all around the world, removing the geographic boundaries that once separated people with common interests. It has definitely made a difference in how the support group culture traditionally brings together older adults and people with disabilities, who might otherwise be limited in their ability to meet other people who have similar experiences, but come from very different backgrounds….

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