May 01, 2006

Concrete Examples of SiM’s Impact

As a “Swimming in the Mainstream” (SiM) blogger during 2005 and 2006, you’ve generated lots of helpful advice for prospective employers of people with disabilities as well as those of us with disabilities who are job seekers.

Back in January 2006, SiM blogger Barney Mayse posted a comment which, I think, catches the direction and spirit of this SiM blog – both of which have been honed by its wide variety of participants.

Barney wrote:

    “…Our ability to influence employers comes from our persistence, patience and courage. We are looking for allies, and, if we look long enough, we will find them. They are the ones who will benefit from our talents, skills and abilities. Saddle up folks, it is time to ride.”

16 months is a short ride along the trail that leads to a level recruiting ground for both disabled and non-disabled job seekers, but, during that short time, your thoughts about disability employment issues have reached an audience wider and deeper than I had expected when eSight first developed this initiative in December 2004.

Here are some examples of how your insights are being used by others to create an environment in which you’ll have more opportunity to enter and advance in mainstream workplaces.

First, take a look at the 12 SiM summary articles which capture your most relevant thoughts about key disability issues. Notices about each of them have been e-mailed to more than 3,000 professionals and employers who are interested in disability employment issues.

Second, we have concrete examples of how four prominent organizations have used SiM resources to serve their members, participants and users.

Third, read through the list of more than 20 newsletters, e-mail lists, web sites, directories and blogs which have also shared SiM resources with their users .

Posting to the SiM blog is tapping the most important features of the Web to your advantage. You’re extending your reach and making the most of your impact. I encourage you to continue to do so through this SiM blog and eSight’s other forums as additional thoughts come to your mind about how to resolve various disability employment issues.

Posted by Jim at 06:29 PM | Comments (1)

April 27, 2006

Not-so-final Thoughts: A Switch in Perspective

Last week, we asked what you would you like to add as a cap to the 2005 series of insight summary articles which are based on your "Swimming in the Mainstream" blog comments.

We needed your final thoughts before we reformatted the articles for further use among employers.

Liz, for instance, wrote, "…I think the best thing business needs to know when hiring a person with a disability is that it's a person first and last and that disability may make them unique in a way you'd never experience…"

She added, "Employers need to go beyond their expectations, their fears, their prejudices and gain a new perspective."

That idea about a new perspective among employers was echoed by Helen, who recommended, "Train your HR recruiters and your staff well. Awareness is key to the success of both the company and the individuals involved… Train leaders to look for potential rather than focusing on limitations."

Yes, prospective employers and job seekers need to better understand each other. But fostering that understanding is, in part, up to us as job seekers, too. That means, when we are seeking a job, we research companies – and network – so we know where we best fit in terms of our skills, temperament, values and goals.

Knowledge of ourselves and of the companies we target in our job search determines how we hone our resumes, our cover letters and our offering statements.

In today’s job market, job seekers need to show up-front proof of their abilities and potential. Job seekers with a disability, in particular, need to show they have learned how to be problem solvers – and adapters – through living with that disability.

Instead of trusting prospective employers will presume we have the attributes of ability, adaptation, and potential as job candidates with a disability, we need to be proactive in helping employers recognize those strengths in us.

So, let’s change our perspective this week.

For the last 12 months, eSight’s "Swimming in the Mainstream" blog discussions have focused on what employers can do to address disability employment issues – from weeding out paternalism in the workplace to creating a level paying field in recruitment.

This week and next (before we switch to a completely new discussion forum in February), let’s turn the tables and ask about how we can proactively carry out our responsibilities as job seekers with a disability.

Continue reading "Not-so-final Thoughts: A Switch in Perspective"

Posted by Jim at 04:45 PM | Comments (11)