Response to article written in the NY Times on July 26, 2020 about the ADA.

 

When your born, you usually have all the opportunities, hopes, and dreams you could ever want. After my birth however, all my family could think about doing was helping me live.  This is because after all the scary part was over my family found out that I had Cerebral Palsy. Both my parents and my sister were terrified about what this meant for my future.  

Five years after my birth in 1990 the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) became a vital part of my future and my life. It meant that access to the things I loved doing would become easier for me and my wheelchair. It meant that ramps, sidewalks, automatic doors, and other adaptations would now be required in the world. Employers could not prevent people with disabilities from applying for and accepting work.  

Every year or so my family and I LOVE to take trips to the Oregon coast.  Whether it’s Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Cannon Beach or even Tilllamook fun is usually had by all attending parties.

As a small child it was easier to get me onto the sand by the ocean. My smaller stature and lighter weight aloud my parents to find different pieces of equipment to aide them in getting me onto the beach.  I had a scooter, countless baby strollers and occasionally was even just put in a regular beach folding chair.

On solid ground I was able to drive a powered wheelchair pretty much everywhere I needed to go. We did try several times to take my powered wheelchair onto the beach.  Sadly, though every time we did it got stuck and bogged down with sand. That was not a good solution either. Although it did show me time and time again the kindness of the strangers who would eventually come to my rescue.

We found a beach one year called Nye beach. This place quickly became a favorite of ours. My father, who studied Geology in college, claimed that the reason that this beach was great for us was because the sand was packed so hard because of excess waste. Whether or not this was true, the sand was packed down enough to get me down to the ideal spot to fly kites, using an adult bicycle stroller. Sooner or later I always heard my Mother occasionally exclaim “isn’t it beautiful?”

It sure was beautiful. But as both my parents got older, and I grew up and got bigger myself this was an activity that we became less able to do. When my sister and her friends were around, she would help get me to and from the sand. Even my best friend did all she could to help as well. But became evident that going to the beach may look vastly different in the future.

Years later in my life, after my Father died, I knew I needed to find a better solution to this problem. I had a beach chair that my Father had purchased before even he could not really handle. After much research and my already acquired knowledge of adaptive equipment, I found a company who made a trax system that apparently can handle all types of terrain.

So exciting right? Absolutely it is for me. It means that I can possibly keep going to the beach with my Mother and we will not need anyone to assist us onto the beach, unless they want to of course. At least that is the hope. But here is the bigger problem I face every time I need another piece of equipment. Insurance companies have a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) department. This is where you call to ask for help getting the right piece of equipment and potentially help paying for it. Once you acquire that equipment then insurance companies will support some of the repair costs. Careful though as DME has a rule that they will cover only equipment that is medically necessary. Also, as I understand it the requirement also states that equipment be used inside and outside but not one or the other.

Well I am sorry but when your disabled and use many different pieces of equipment, some costing 5, 6, 7, thousand or even more money it does not really make sense to have these kinds of rules. You can try and plead your case to their board but even then, your never guaranteed approval of said item. This does not include adaptations to your home for said wheelchair.

 Insurance is expensive and paying for these high cost mobility devices are sometimes as much as a new car. Why shouldn’t families who are paying these high fees get further assistance for equipment that helps them be mobile no matter what? Insurance companies need to lobby the industry of mobility devices to make these pieces of equipment more affordable. Many of these pieces of equipment have been round for a long time and manufacturing should cost less.

If insurance companies really want to help the handicap, then they should have the power to negotiate with DME distributors. The handicapped especially deserve to be able to be out in the fresh air on the beach, in the forest, or even living on the farm and these trax are just the thing.

Our Father

One person many Portlanders and people all over the US will never forget was my father Pete Taylor. Whether on a bus, sitting outdoors, playing football or being with family he never gave up. Pete is well known for his writing and ability to see the good in people while keeping a safe distance. He wrote a lot of different kinds of things. Pete was I hope someone people admired and relied on in times of need.

Pete was never a real emotional guy though. He rarely cried or laughed much but you knew by his expressions what he was thinking or feeling. Pete instead showed he cared though his actions and drive to make the world a better place. If you needed something he’d most times drop what he was doing to help you. You could call him 40 times a day and he always picked up, even if he was napping.  I really liked knowing that he was always just a phone call away. He’d give you a ride or the shirt off he’s back if that’s what you needed. He was also good at making others feel good about themselves even when they made mistakes or went about things the wrong way.

 There were a lot of things Pete had no choice but to leave things unfinished or unsaid. I know he is smiling down on us today because I along with my sister have helped Mom tie up a lot of the lose ends that fell to the wayside. I do know that had he had the chance he would have told both my mom and sister that he was happy and proud of their accomplishments. He would have also wanted them to know that he loved them and continues to today.

I know what happened to Pete was nothing short of fair or something he wanted to go through but he fought till the bitter end. No one can replace Pete, but I hope I can live up to the same standers he did all his life. He was a special person one we will never forget.

Medical Needs

As a child, I needed a lot of medical help because I was born with cerebral palsy. There are many services available to such children through Shriners Hospital, the local school districts and the regional and county programs. I went through a number of therapies and medical procedures. I had the opportunity to try out equipment that made my life workable, such as wheelchairs, standers, and any number of accommodations, such as having an aide in school and regular visits from physical and occupational therapists.

All that changed when I turned 21 years old. As with all other disabled people, the “services” stop, and you are left alone to fend for yourself, in all regards. If you are like me and have medical insurance, you can certainly go to doctors and therapists, but these people “specialize” in their areas and there are very few of them that deal with the problems that disabled persons have, whether or not you have insurance that would pay for such services.

For instance, I needed to have a therapist look at my posture in my power chair because my back was hurting. I was given an appointment and met the therapist that week. She told me right away that she and her department rarely see people with cerebral palsy and after going through some exercises that had nothing to do with the problem, I went home.

This has become an old story. Medical people specialize for efficiency and to get good at what they do. But a problem like cerebral palsy crosses many boundaries and there are few if any generalists that you can rely on.

This is by far the most common problem that persons with disabilities face when dealing with the medical community.

There are other problems and my next blog will discuss independent housing: “Are you poor enough to be eligible for it?”

Relationships And People With Disabilities

            Relationships of all kinds are hard for anybody. For people like me whose disability is visible, relationships with the opposite sex are few and far between. Luckily there have been a special few who were able to see through it. But, in the end something happens and they walk away. Maybe it’s because I get impatient or motivated to have what everyone else around me has.

 Friendships can lead to intimate relationships, and sometimes marriages. They can also lead nowhere. While casual friends are great to have, it can wear on people’s feelings if what you’re looking for is a soul mate. Then there is love at first sight; which is a rare occurrence.   It becomes ten times harder for people with all kinds of disabilities especially if you can see what they have.   

            People say things that are supposed to be comforting. People even try to put you in situations where you can meet people.  Statements are made like: “just try harder”, or  “put yourself out there.” While these things are true a person can only do that for so long before it just becomes laughable. If people do all of these things and still have no luck finding anyone what are they supposed to do? What does a person do when they’ve tried everything else? In this newer day-n-age, the internet and social media offer a different idea about “putting yourself out there”. But how do you know if people tell the truth about who they are and what they want? I one makes the mistake of getting into a relationship with a person with bad intentions, it will be very easy for him/her to take advantage of a person with a disability.

            Dating sites are options some people want me to try. The first site I used is advertised widely on television and suggests that it is for “Christian” people. But sadly, I will tell you that I quickly learned that there are some of the same disgraceful people on the dating site as there were off of it. I also had people asking me things one wouldn’t ask on a real first date. That’s when I got a little anxious and started questioning if this was the right fit for me. Friends and family have been supportive but have also let me have my own opinion about it all.

            A person in my life told me once, that it’s up to me to make my life what I want it to be. But it seems to be like trying to trying to play tennis with both hands tied behind your back. One encouraging thing is that there are hundreds and thousands of people enrolled on these dating sites looking for a pleasant relationship, who have no disabilities at all. Still they are there and that seems to mean that disability has little to do with success rates in this business.

Tri-Met's LIFT Program

Tri-Met’s public transportation system is useful to a great many people. From their bus lines to MAX and now even WES, if you need to get somewhere fast and don’t or can’t drive, Tri-Met provides these services to you. And for the disabled folks like me who find the big bus environment a little too overwhelming; there is something for us too.

Tri-Met’s LIFT program was made for folks like me who still want to be a functioning, independent part of society but not have to deal with so many people and the bells and whistles that commonly occur on the other services. LIFT is a smaller fleet of lift equipped buses that can provide more “door to door” services.  So far the LIFT program sounds nice from a distance, doesn’t it?

Although LIFT is run by Tri-Met, its dispatchers and drivers come from different companies. LIFT’S policy was that the drivers have a ½ hour window with which to retrieve clients who made appointments the night before. Also they made it so you could schedule rides for the week at a time.

I rode with LIFT for many of my college years, but towards the end of my time with them, things had started to get out of control. I was never quite sure if LIFT was overbooked all the time or if there was a lack of drivers. I was calling to check on my late rides almost every day, so much that some of the dispatchers knew when it was me calling again and again. I was always in contact with family and friends for fear I would be left on the side of the road sometimes for over an hour, which did happen on several occasions.

The most unpredictable part of a trip is when you wanted to be picked up from your destination and taken home. No telling when that bus would arrive, even if you had scheduled the pick up the day before.  And there is no clever GPS system available to LIFT riders to tell where the bus is at this time.

The humorous part was when they were taking me from home to my destination and they took the “great circle route.” I remember going from my home, right past PCC (my destination) and all the way to Lake Grove to pick up another PCC student. The drivers try to follow pre-arranged pickup routes that don’t always make sense in the field.

If I had to give advice to someone learning to use the LIFT for the first time, these are things I would tell them. First, plan at least two hours ahead of, and behind your outing as there is just no guarantee that the bus (or you) will arrive on time. Trips on the LIFT system are sort of an “all day” affair.  Second, have someone available to come assist you if the bus is late or not going to come at all. Third, be ready when the bus does show up, as they only have a few minutes to wait for you, whether or not they are early or late.  And finally, learn who the Dispatchers and customer service people at LIFT are. They are generally very understanding of schedule and driver problems you have, and often they appreciate your communications with them about the service.

Weather Life and Other

Well hello readers. I know I have not been good at keeping up on posting. It has just been lacking in my mind to have thoughtful things to say.

The weather has been rather crazy as of late. Rain mostly, which I guess is good for the plants. The few days that are sunny I try to go out in it as much as possible. I have given up caring what happens now and am glad to be out of the house when I can. Like I told folks on Facebook soon enough people will be complaining that it's to hot.


 We are having another 4th of July here which promises to be a good time. Previous to this my nephew and family are coming for the weekend.  Should be fun to see them. The pool wont be open for people to swim i don't think.

Have a great weekend 

Old friends

It's always fun to find old friends and see what their lives are like now. I found two people like this that I knew as a kid. Both have CP and both are very fun and full of life. I am thankful to be reminded that I am not the only one  who sometimes feels like life is a constant struggle.

I've been out three times with these people and for once I am able to feel normal for all of the time I am out with them. And it's nice to be able to talk to them and have them understand exactly what I mean. Nothing surprises them.

I hope we can continue to be friends and hang out. I am thankful to have found old friends and to be able to continue to build a strong friendship with each of them.

Ever Wonder What Its Like?

Often in my life I wondering what it is like to live somewhere else besides the place you grew up. I mean places like the beach or high in the mountains or even just in another state. I know now why people travel when there young. They have the time, energy and gusto to experience new things and their bodies hold out.

There are some people who would like to live at the beach. For some people this would tire them to easily. What with all the seafood and chowders and fishermen's stews? Yum sounds like deliciousness to me. Wonder what that would make me of the only thing I ate was from the ocean? And what of any adverse affects would it have on my health? I'm thinking it would be almost like being a vegetarian but that I couldn't do.

There are some people who want to live on an Island and eat whatever the locals eat. This maybe another good place to try something different such as a diet of fruit and game from the island prepared in the traditional way. And learning the ways of the land.

Lastly there are even us folks who wouldn't mind living in the mountains. At least there it is hard for anyone to get a-hold of you and you would have a great view from so high up. I don't like heights though as it makes me nurvose. I am quite certain you would be the talk of the town.

So there you are. My brain has been poured out on paper for any interested parties who would like to hear. Eat, Pray, Love    the first two are easey the last is always hard long tireous work. But if you are up for the challenge it might just be the one thing you need.

Think about it.

French Onion Soup and Mac and Cheese

We decided to make some French Onion Soup the other day. Dad got the recipe out of the newspaper. You cook the onions in the slow cooker with some butter for 4 hours and then stir it. Then you cook it for another 6 hours. Instead of bread use hamburger buns. Trust me they are much softer and sweeter then hard bread that is typically used. A little Gruyere cheese and your good to go.

My macaroni and cheese is pretty simple. Boil water being sure to add salt but not to over salt because then it will taste-bad. Under boil the noodles in the salted water. In another pan melt butter and when it is done add 1/4 cup of flour. Let the flour to thinken and then add a cup or so of 1/2 and 1/2. Add two shakes of garlic powder and thyme. Depending on how much you make you can layer slices of chese with the noodles and sauce. I use the mexican chese blend as well as cheddar. Bake for 25 minutes and then add more chese and serve.

Yum!

Black Berry vs. Regular Phone vs. Touch Screen

I am a cell phone geek. I admit it. There is probably not a cell phone out there that I have not used or seen used. I know most people don't use their cell phones near as much as I do. So I try to find the most workable phones for me to use.

There was the regular flip phone. It was good for what I needed it to do. Call and text as slow and painfully time consuming it was. At that time I was also able to use a ear bud earphone so that i could have my privacy just like everyone else. When they stopped making the one ear bud that fit in my ear I had to join the blue tooth craze. And too I found out that a touch screen may be a better option since no buttons were required to use it.

Then I discovered a touch screen that could keep me in the loop with my facebook, my email and google talk.It worked well for a while. I was able to stay in the know, text others (even if I did need help) and people could get a-hold of me in more ways then one. But I soon found out that I really wanted to do it more myself and only need help with important or long messages. Also turning it on and off was hard and a pain and really I need a phone i can use and is not hard for others to use.

Finally we land on a blackberry. I don't know maybe I like the simplicity of an on off switch that does what you would imagine it would. I absolutely love the full keybord and the fact I don't have to constantly be spining my phone just to text. My spelling has not improved but I can write simple words. Facebook has improved as well. I am able to keep up with friends and reply more quickly to email and texts.

So I am satisfied for now that my blackberry may just be what I needed to be more conected.

Christmas Presents

For Christmas I recived  a lot of cool things from both friends and family. I wont bore you with telling you about every single thing, although everything was awsome in it's own way, Instead I'll tell you about some of my favorites.

The first presant I'm going to talk about was the DVR for my TV in my room. I have been wanting this for a while because so often I have to flipback and forth between shows. This may seem like not such a big deal to most. I have several shows I like to watch all the way through their seasons. And before the dvr I'd eaither have to watch it on damand or not at all. Now I can watch one and record the other or several other shows. And I can do it more quickly because I am able to fast forward though the commerchials.

Next was the ice cream maker. This was a really great gift. I enjoy making things (even if it is giving others directions since lifting things can be challenging and not to metchen messy). I also like ice cream and really who dosen't? The best part is it can make it in less then 10min so you can make multiple flavors.You know how people have game parties with food and wine and fancy clothes? I bet we could do that with ice cream,

Computer ganes included Wheel Of Fortune and Bejuled <?> with a side of Peggle, Very fun. I always enjoy those mindless  games where you dont have to think to play them.

Clothes, the talking ferbys, julery, the wii draw and the rest of the gifts were awsome as well. I am so very thankful for my family and friends. It was a great time.

New Year's Resolutions

Every year there is always some goal that people make for themselves. Sometimes the goals are physical, emotional and some are just fun.

Here are some questions to think about when you don't have anything better to do or need a break form the everyday routine. Why do people make resolutions? What makes them decide on one over the other? Think about it.....why do people enjoy finding fault with some aspect of their lives?

I'm no better at this believe me.

I have several resolutions of my own.

First I am going to try to lose weight. I am happy with my body the way it is but I know I can look better. I know I can do this one because all I have to do is make sure I don't eat much and certainly not a bunch of junk food.

My next resolution is to try and be in a few horse shows this season. I have not been able to ride horses very much this year due to personal issues. I hope I can overcome these issues and have some fun back at the barn. My teachers all miss me and I miss the horses.

Last I am going to try and find a date. I know I am not very good at this one, but its worth a shot again. I know I am not happy about the prospect of being alone most of my life. But I also realize that for some love doesn't just happen overnight. Knowing what you want and what qualities a mate needs to possess is an important next step.

So there you have it. Happy 2011 early!

Christmas Time Is Here

 OK time for a redo post. The last tine I was posting my head was in a fog with a cold. It sucks being sick and during the holidays. I still am dealing with congestion but well see what this week holds. Our family had their annual Christmas party and my nephew was the life of the party....the little charmer he is. He did really well at his first extended family function. Santa was a hit with him as well.

And yes what is Christmas without cookies and hot buttered rum? We went down to my sisters for cookie baking weekend. We made so many cookies it would take me to long to list them all. Since mom is home for two weeks from work I am hoping she can help me make buckeyes since my sister really like them.

Last night we had some fabulous chinese food from an unexpurgated new restaurant my sister would go to when she lived here. I must say it beats the buffet style places. Chow main doesn't have to be watery. The generals chicken was pretty tasty also. I never liked it much because it was always so spicy.

We also went to see the lights at the race track. My nephew thankfully woke up in time to see it. That made my sister happy. I felt bad for my brother though he was pretty sick too. Their new car is pretty cool though, Lots of little bells and whistles. I forgot what it was like to wear an actual seat belt. But then I don't much care for my wheelchairs seat belt either.

So I think I'll quit blogging while I'm ahead. Enjoy this holiday season because you will never get it back the same way again. LET IT SNOW!!

What Would You Want?

Have you ever wondered what it is like for someone else to go about their life? I’m sure at some point in all of our lives someone has said, “Try to think what it’s like in my shoes.”   People today are caught up in their own lives, problems, and health concerns. It appears to me as if they think they’re the only ones who should be accommodated.  Whether you are disabled or just suffering from old age, everyone should have equal access to shops and stores, even if it’s a little more “leg work” for the owner.

 I can’t walk on my own. Some of my muscles are always tight and no matter what I do they will always be that way. I have a hard time doing some simple daily tasks. Many places are accessible to my wheelchair, but some are not. How do you tell a restaurant manager that you would like to have dinner there but you can’t get past the front door? It is always difficult because they may think that they have made accessible improvements but a small step here or a low table there ruins all their efforts. That is were education is so important. Persons with disabilities must patiently help others how to make things accessible and what the benefits to them are.

Accessibility isn’t always in everyone’s mind when they are thinking about starting a business. Why is that? I don’t think people are trying to exclude those in wheelchairs, or   the elderly. But there is always the dreaded rational called “not enough money.” I am not implying people should not make their business what they envisioned it to be but   a the owner can lose business if people who use mobility devices can’t use all of the facility.

That is where the education piece comes into play. Owners need to understand that if their business is designed well for people with disabilities then it will work for anyone, while the opposite is not true. Increased accessibility means an increased customer base.   American’s are living longer and many have mobility problems, but they don’t want to stay home alone. The more accessible the community is, the more these people will use and buy the services offered. 

Accessibility, a Short Definition

Since the advent of the Americans with Disabilities Act, commercial establishments have been trying to comply with the laws with varying success. As for what is accessible and what is not, a simple rule to follow is that if some arrangement is accessible for the less ambulatory, it will be accessible for anyone. Lowering a light switch to a height that can be used by a person in a wheelchair does not make it difficult for an ambulatory person. And in fact, it might be easier to turn on light switches that are belt level than one that is 5 feet up the wall! The ADA actually makes the world easier to operate for all people. (Sometime watch how many ambulatory people use the ramps at a ball park as opposed to those using the stairs.)

                                          Hotels, Motels and Bed and Breakfasts
What may seem accessible to the ambulatory traveler isn’t always a good fit to the disabled, but the opposite is not true. If I can use a hotel room successfully, anyone can. I have been to a lot of hotels that advertise accessible rooms which have turned out to be designed and built by people who have never been related to, or known someone who has a handicap. This is ironic because owners spend money to provide accessibility but it is sometimes wasted because they build the wrong things.
The door to a room in a hotel is the first challenge I face. Most of the time these days you must stick a card into the door to unlock it. Then you wait for the light to flash green, and then pull down the handle. But what happens when the handles and door locks on the door are to high and to heavy? The ADA states that doors need to be less then 5lbs force to open. Most doors are heavier than this and if you use a manual chair, trying to open them and push yourself in, it can wear a person out. Changing the doors weight to 5lbs of force to open it, wouldn’t make it any harder for the ambulatory. In fact it might even help them.
The purpose of having a peep hole on the door is so you may see who it is at your door. Most peep holes I have seen are designed for tall people who can stand, and for me that just doesn’t work. There should be one high and low so I can also see who is at my door. It’s a safety concern.

If the room has a balcony it presents a problem for me. Usually the door to the outside is placed in a corner of the room. This is OK but not when you place a table and couch in the same corner. If the door doesn’t open past the table or come from the other side of the wall, it is impossible to get out. This is easily fixed by putting the furniture opposite the opening part of the door.
Furniture in these rooms isn’t always designed well. When placing furniture you must remember that some wheelchairs require more space than others. A table should look good in a room, but should also be functional. Most wood tables do not allow wheelchairs to comfortably fit under them and use the phone, (a speakerphone is best) or even a laptop. There are a few options such as taller tables, or adjustable tables that would make things easier on the user. The best tables and counters are ones that have legs on the corners so that the chair can fit between without hitting them.

Similarly beds, refrigerators, TV and their accessories need to be lowered as well. It is hard for people in wheelchairs to reach above their shoulders. Also it should not be hard to open, get into or turn on. Nightstands should have at least two feet between them and the bed. TV’s do not need to be in a wood cabinet. If it must be that way then put the VCR under the TV’s shelf on it’s own shelf.
Mirrors, sinks and soap dispensers also need to be lower and easy to operate. Some people in wheelchairs do not have full use of their hands and having to turn the water on and off can be difficult. Long level handles are much better then twist handles. Sinks should not have a deep well where the water goes and soap should be in some sort of dispenser that only requires the strength of one hand to push.
A good bathroom and shower is imperative in an accessible room. I’ve been in many hotel bathrooms in my life and this seems to be the hardest place to make accessible. You end up with a wonderful toileting area or the shower as the main focus. A good toileting situation for me would be that the toilet is low to the floor and had a bar on at least one side of it. You want to transfer down to other areas, like to a toilet seat from your chair. The flusher would need to be easy to push or an automatic flusher could be used to accommodate this.

Similarly a good shower has a portable shower head and maybe a bench seat. The problem with the shower is that no one has yet to figure out the seating placement in relationship to the on/off switch and to wheelchair placement. No one is going to want to sit in their wet wheelchair the rest of the day. The term “drive-in shower”, means that you can take your wheelchair close enough to the seating so that you can transfer to the bench with out walking to it. It doesn’t mean you take a shower in your wheelchair. It means that you can get out of your chair and sit on a bench or shower chair. This shouldn’t be a problem for the ambulatory. Lots of people disabled or otherwise, probably would enjoy having a place to sit and shower if they so choose.
Elevators are an important addition to any building to make it accessible. The type of elevator is something to consider when installing one. It would be hard to install an elevator that required you to open the door by hand and call it accessible. They should all be automatic and the buttons should be low and big enough to insure anyone can use them For people with disabilities it’s their only way to access where they need to go and if the equipment doesn’t work, chances are they won’t be repeat consumers.
All counters in hotel lobbies should have a spot that is lowered to wheelchair level. So many times I have not been able to see over the counter to conduct business. I end up having to ask people to help me. Being independent is a goal for people with disabilities and to me it is almost discriminating and more disabling to not even be able to talk to someone face to face.

I enjoy traveling and I enjoy being able to do things on my own. I would be willing to evaluate the hotels I stay in. I don’t think many people are aware of these problems. We need a better solution to the “false idea” of what is accessible. To see an accessible bathroom, visit McDonalds or a local hospital, (see the “public” restrooms), or Chevron gas/markets. These places and many others have got it right

Getting a Job

Trying to get a job while being disabled is more challenging than one might imagine. I was lucky to get an on-call job that gave me something to be proud of. I am thankful for the opportunity. Now, I am looking for a second job to fill the time I am not using for my other job, and am finding it to be difficult, not because of the economic times we are in, but because “hiring the handicapped” is no longer something that employers think is important.

There are a lot of programs out there that try to help people with disabilities find jobs. With the economic situation there is a lot of uncertainty in these job agencies and it is hard to have hope. The hardest part is when these places make you go through all the paper work and testing, only to find out that they can’t help you? Sometimes grant funding depends on how many people pass through their doors and not on how many actually get some kind of supported work opportunity. I have been through a few of these systems. Not one of them have actually helped me find the second job. And why? There is not enough money, resources and people to serve the need. I know the neediest ones should receive services first but what defines “need?”

I am frustrated because even though I am a good, hard working person, I am not good at taking tests. Clerical work requires that you to type at a certin speed and be absolutely accurate, one-hundred percent of the time. There are few exceptions to this requirement, but the time it takes to make a finished copy varies. Many employers expect accuracy and speed in this kind of work.

Something needs to be done to resolve the fear of hiring someone who may have a disability and may need accommodations. Lots of employers are not very willing to make accommodations for the disabled worker because it is not efficient for them. There are plenty of disabled citizens who would like to be productive members of society, but can’t because no one is willing to give them the opportunity.

I was very lucky to get my on-call job. I go to a therapeutic riding institute and need “side walkers” in order to stay on the horse. It turned out that one of them had an “in-home” business and decided to hire me to do computer work. At the time this was a perfect fit for me because I liked working from home and using my computer for various things.

Now that I am older I am finding that I would like to have a job outside the house for the socialization it can mean. I do not have a support system like the one I had when graduating from high school. Since both my parents still work, I am living at home still. This means a caregiver has to come into the home and help me through out the day. Due to my physical limitations, my caregiver would have to accompany me to any sort of job available.

No where on an application does it ask about whether or not you have a disability? This is probably because it might lead to discrimination by employers. Some people would argue that it isn’t important. But shouldn’t an employer be made aware of potential disabilities, not to deny the person a job, but to be prepared for the accommodations that may need to be made to successfully employ the person with a disability?

If given the chance, even people with disabilities can become productive citizens. In fact, there are many studies showing that persons with disabilities are highly reliable and motivated, given the chance to work and receiving necessary accommodations. But the unemployment rate for disabled workers is around the 90% level. What is even more ironic is that the people on staff that actually work alongside and with disabled workers, enjoy the experience. It gives them a sense of helping others while not being in competition with them