By Jon Breen

I awoke this morning, January 20, 2009, with the last wisps of a dream still playing in the darkness. In my dream, I was sitting at a round table like one you would expect to see at a conference or a wedding, big enough for eight people, cloth covered and draped all around the edge. The draping was red and blue, the top was white. The table, becoming more integral to the dream, first became one of hundreds of similar tables that filled a gigantic room and then transformed into an enormous table that seated thousands.

Two seats to my left sat President-elect Barack Obama. As he leaned over to me, the background of the room began to fill in with television cameras, reporters, giant screens, microphones and all of the accoutrements required for a presidential inauguration. All eyes, electronic and otherwise, were focused on the President-elect until he turned to me and whispered, “Well, Jon, it’s your turn to speak.” As all of the cameras and attention turned to me, my first thoughts were “It’s my turn but what’s my topic? I didn’t even know that I was invited.” Here is what I said...

Mr. Obama, I would like to congratulate and thank you for being elected as the 44th president of the United States. I am sure that the reasons for my congratulations are apparent to anyone who has followed your campaign and election. My thank you, however, will require some explanation.

First, my thank you comes not just from me but from all of those who have struggled for recognition as individuals, not merely as being representatives of a particular group. My thank you comes from women, from aboriginal people, from people of colour, from those with disabilities, and others who are often required to repeatedly prove themselves as competent individuals merely because of their membership in one of these groups.

My thank you is for what you have already accomplished as you prepare to become the president.

You have brought about a sea change for those involved with issues of human rights and equity. To borrow a legal image, you have shifted the burden of proof away from many of us who have been required to define ourselves repeatedly as individuals to those who prefer to see us through a lens of disability, colour or other characteristic.

By your election, you have demonstrated that it is no longer the responsibility of the wheelchair user, the aboriginal and many others to prove themselves as anything other than individuals with unique skills, talents and abilities.

A new assumption has been created, has been demanded and, to the surprise of many, has been generally accepted. I thank you.

- Jon Breen is the manager of disability employment services for the Yukon government. He also provides counselling services to Workers Compensation Board clients who have newly acquired disabilities.

STATISTICS: Monthly Labor Data for People with Disabilities

In June 200, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics added questions to their Current Population Survey (CPS) that now allows them to produce a monthly statistical report on the participation of people with disabilities in the workforce. The first of these reports, released this month, reported on data from January 2009. The unemployment rate of persons with a disability was  reported at 13.2 percent, compared with 8.3 percent for persons with no disability. 

  

NEWSLETTER: The Riot! Jobs Issue

I quite enjoyed this iconoclastic newsletter dealing with the phenomenon of “sheltered workshops” as an employment option for people with disabilities. Published in 2007, it opens with “Going… Going… Gone!” – an article on the mysterious disappearance of sheltered workshop facilities throughout the country. A line from the article; “… scientists can’t explain how a whole building can disappear in the middle of the night without anyone noticing”. Fun reading.

  Read the Riot: www.hsri.org/docs/Riot_Issue_14.PDF

  Visit the Riot’s website: www.hsri.org/leaders/theriot/

STATISTICS: Americans With Disabilities: 2005

The recently-released Census Bureau report “Americans with Disabilities:2005” provides estimates of the socioeconomic characteristics of people with disabilities. This report provides estimates for different categories of disability - from specific activity limitations to the broad category of “with a disability.” According to this report, 18.7 percent of the American population has some level of disability, while 12 percent have a “severe” disability. The employment rate was 30.7 percent for people with a severe disability, compared with rates of 75.2 percent for people with a non-severe disability and 83.5  percent for people with no disability.

  See the complete report: www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p70-117.pdf

WEBSITE: The National Post-School Outcomes Center

The mission of the NPSO is “to help state education agencies establish practical and rigorous data collection systems that will measure and profile the post-school experiences of youth with disabilities. The results will be used for national, state, and local reporting and-most importantly-to guide and improve transition services to this population.” Their website includes State-by-State profiles of transition planning, if and how individual states collect post-graduation information on students with disabilities, state contacts, etc.

  Visit the NPSO Website: http://psocenter.org

  

Second Annual International “Windmills” Train-the-Trainer Presentation

Los Angeles, CA ~ March 30 – April 1, 2009

Introducing the Newly Revised “Windmills” Disability Awareness Training Program. Shattering Attitudinal Barriers About Disability. Premiering new training modules including  “Defusing the emotion from emotional disabilities" and understanding post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Experience the unique, internationally acclaimed training of original “Windmills” primary author, Richard Pimentel, long-time “Windmills” trainer, Glenn McIntyre & other Special Guests.

More Information Here: http://damonbrooks.com

25th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities

"Working Toward a Brighter Future"

Honolulu, HI ~ May 4-5, 2009

With its beginnings dating back to 1985, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities has evolved into one of the top rated international educational offerings for and from persons with disabilities, family members, researchers, service providers, policymakers, community leaders, advocates, and nationally recognized professionals in the various disciplines in the diverse field of disabilities.

More Information Here:

20th Annual National APSE Conference

"Employment for All: A Celebration in the City of Festivals!"

Milwaukee, WI - June 30 - July 2, 2009

The APSE conference focuses exclusively on facilitating integrated employment outcomes for people with significant disabilities. This year, Milwaukee will be the place to share their knowledge and expertise on the latest and best innovations related to employment!

More Information Here:

USBLN 2009 Conference

"Connecting the Dots: Business Solutions"

Washington, DC - September 15 – 19, 2009

More Information Here: http://www.newworkforceconference.org

CAREERS Conference 2010

Madison, Wisconsin ~ January 25-27, 2010

The Careers Conference is hosted by the Center on Education and Work, part of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive events of its kind, featuring top quality professional development.

More Information Here: www.cew.wisc.edu/careersConf/default.aspx