[nfbmi-talk] ada anniversary in kalamazoo

[Christine Boone]

Really? Forgive me for a tad of cinocism here, but if the Americans With Disabilities Act has been so spectacular for persdons with disabilities, why is the unemployment rate for persons across all disability groups in Michigan currently at an unbelievable 81%?  Just for perspective, prior to passage of the ADA, the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities generally stood at about 58%.  This is and was nonetheless shameful, but the rate has actually risen almost 50% in Michigan during the last 42 years.  

Sometimes doing the right thing cannot be compelled by legislation.  It requires good people who simply understand that "disability" does not equate to inability, and that persons who are blind and who have other disabilities are statistically shown to be among the most reliable and hardest working sectors of our American workforce.  

Just my 2 cents worth here.  I could speculate on why this law has not accomplished that which we all hoped it would. Instead I will call upon all employers who happen to read this, to do the right thing when a person with a disability applies for a position with your organization...if that person happens to be the most qualified candidate, hire them.  

If you have 2 or 3 applicants with disabilities, one of whom appears to be "less disabled" than the other(s), remember that the level or perceived level of disability bears no relationship to an individuals qualifications for the position in question.  Do not hire a less qualified candidate who might meet the minimal definition of a person with a disability, over the most qualified candidate whose disability appears to be more severe.  We are not asking for a pity job.  Everyone pays the price when this is done.  Unfortunately several readers of this list will know that this very event took place in Michigan in September of 2012- to the benefit of a small handful of individuals and to the great detriment of hundreds, and eventually thousands of Michiganders who are blind.  

Now I used to laugh at my friends who were extreme fans of the TV show Star Trek back in the 70's-- but indeed Mr. Spock was correct in observing that "The Good of the Many Must Outweigh the Good of the Few".

On Jul 17, 2014, at 11:18 AM, joe harcz Comcast via nfbmi-talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act to be celebrated in Kalamazoo this week
> 
> Wednesday, July 16, 2014 10:08 a.m. EDT by Andrew Green
> 
> The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan
> 
> The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan
> 
> 
> 
> KALAMAZOO (WKZO) -- A local organization is preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Disability Network of Southwest
> 
> Michigan's Joel Cooper says that the act, which will turn 24 on Friday, the 25th, has made a big difference in the lives of the disabled, especially when
> 
> it comes to employment and public services.
> 
> 
> 
> "The hiring process for full employment, and that whole process of the interview, we don't want to see discriminating practices there, so there are protections
> 
> under the ADA in that regard," Cooperr told WKZO. "When we look at how the ADA impacts local and state government agencies, it's important that the ADA
> 
> is real and alive there for things such as public transportation, and access to things like courts, libraries, and town meetings."
> 
> 
> 
> The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan will hold a celebration event on Friday featuring free food, educational opportunities, and guest speakers
> 
> at its Kalamazoo office, located at 517 East Crosstown Parkway. The event starts at 11:30 AM, and runs through 1:30 PM.
> 
> 
> 
> Source:
> 
> http://wkzo.com/news/articles/2014/jul/16/anniversary-of-americans-with-disabilities-act-to-be-celebrated-in-kalamazoo-this-week/
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