How can you be a good employee?

According to the article below, more people with disabilities are finding jobs.  I like working because it makes me feel like a productive citizen.  When I’m on a job I want to remain dedicated in order to keep it because it shows that I am fighting the good fight despite my disability.  How can we show employers that we are dedicated workers?  Are you always on time?  Do you go above and beyond what is asked of you?  How do you request the accommodations that you need? 

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/08/01/jobs-july-14/19566/

How do you give back?

As a person with a disability, I’ve come across other individuals with disabilities who are less fortunate than I am and therefore don’t have a good support system.  I am fortunate enough that I wasn’t among that group of people.  However, I believe that we are all a minute away from being less fortunate.  Because of this, I am a strong and firm believer in giving back to a community that has given so much to me.  Here’s a question for you, as an individual how do you give back to the community?  Is it through volunteer work?  Donating to a organization that stands for something you believe in?  Speaking at different venues and sharing your story?  And etc.  Think about it and let me know your thoughts.

How do you express your feelings?

People with disabilities experience daily stresses in my opinion.  However, oftentimes they're not comfortable with expressing those feelings are maybe they don’t know how.  Just like others with disabilities, I oftentimes struggle with what setting is the best to express my feelings.  For me lately, a group setting has been the best because I am able to put a situation out on the table and receive feedback from people who understand me.  Whereas in a one on one setting it is much harder due to the fact that nine times out of ten you’re speaking with someone who can empathize with you rather someone who can sympathize.  Here’s a question: in what setting is it easier for you to express your feelings?  Do you express them and all?  Let me know your thoughts.

Senator Calls For Expansion Of Community-Based Services

By MICHELLE DIAMENT

June 24, 2014Text Size  A  A

A new proposal in the U.S. Senate would eliminate a government bias toward placing people with disabilities in institutional rather than community-based settings.

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said Tuesday he is introducing a bill that would put an end to what’s known as the “institutional bias.”

Current law requires Medicaid to provide nursing home services to people with disabilities, but does not mandate that home and community-based options be offered. As a result, many states have long waiting lists for individuals wishing to obtain services in the community and a Senate report last year found that over 200,000 working-age Americans remain segregated in nursing homes.

Harkin’s proposal dubbed the Community Integration Act would change things by requiring that states deem all individuals who are considered eligible for institutional care to also be eligible for supports in home and community-based settings. What’s more, the bill would prohibit states from making people ineligible for services in the community based on their particular disability.

Read more at:  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/24/senator-expansion-community/19470/ 

How do you motivate people with disabilities?

I believe in motivating people to be the best they can be.  Like others with disabilities, I oftentimes need extra motivation because I’m so used hearing words like “no”, “you can’t”, or “you won’t”.  These words are so demoralizing and heard so often that is easy to just  give up on things that we stand for.  Here’s a question for you though: How do you motivate people with disabilities?  Do you say a kind word?  Do you encourage individuals to do things that we think cannot do?  Do you argue?  Let me know your thoughts.

How does our attitude affect the way people treat us?

As a person with a disability, we often speak of people and their attitudes.  We are often times speaking of their acceptance of us and our disability.  However, I don’t think that we as people with disabilities take the time to think about our attitudes and the perception that we give the individuals who interact with us every day.  With that being said, I would like to know your thoughts.  How does our attitude affect the way people treat us?  Let me know.

We want to hear from you!

Working with individuals with disabilities on a daily basis we see everything from severe disabilities to not-so-severe ones.  However, I’ve noticed that a few people with disabilities sometimes use it to their advantage.  For example, sometimes I see people on the bus with disabilities who wait to be escorted to their seat even though they can find a seat on their own.  Therefore, I’m interested in knowing how this affects the way you view an individual with a disability.  Are they a person?  Do you see the disability before you see the person?  Do you have a tendency to have pity on them because of their disability?  Let me know how you think a person with a disability should be treated.