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August 24, 2005
Our ‘Fountain of Youth’ Leaked
Last week, I cited Dr. Art Blaser, Assistant Dean, School of Law at California’s Chapman University. He said: "Most suggestions that a PWD's age is lower … reflect a failure to see the PWD as an equal. …Unless the deed as well as the intent are eventually recognized, there is an open invitation to further demeaning treatment."
On this blog, we had one person ask, "Are you really taking the Dean’s remark seriously…?" ...And that’s all I can recall, for, in our routine cleaning of spam on Friday, we accidentally deleted that comment.
If you’re the person who submitted that comment last week, please do so again. I really want to understand your viewpoint. I’m sorry our "Fountain of Youth’ leaked.
If you would like to add your two cents to an interesting discussion, please post your comments about how you have pulled the the plug on your personal ‘Fountain of Youth’ and gained adult status in the workplace.
No more ‘Fountain’ leaks from now on.
Jim Hasse
Posted by Jim Hasse at 01:04 PM | Comments (1)
August 09, 2005
Pulling the Plug on Your 'Fountain of Youth'
Dr. Art Blaser, Assistant Dean, School of Law at California’s Chapman University, has observed that many people with disabilities have access to a "fountain of youth," which normally is a form a flattery in our culture.
"I have been a person with disabilities (PWD) since I was almost 40," he says. "Among my greatest surprises was that … most (people) will underestimate my age by at least five years."
But, he continues, "most suggestions that a PWD's age is lower … reflect a failure to see the PWD as an equal. …Unless the deed as well as the intent are eventually recognized, there is an open invitation to further demeaning treatment."
On eSight’s "Swimming in the Mainstream" (SiM) blog this week, you’re invited to consider that issue and challenge –- one, I must admit, I personally haven’t handled very well during my career.
For an account about how I didn’t pull the plug when I should have, see "The Back Door Into Adulthood."
Perhaps you’ve learned a better way of pulling the plug on your "fountain of youth." So here is this week’s SiM discussion question:
What tip do you have about how to gain adult status among colleagues in a workplace when you have a disability?
Posted by Jim Hasse at 04:54 PM | Comments (3)
August 02, 2005
Summary for July: Addressing 20 False Assumptions
Last month, eSight members took advantage of an opportunity to help employers understand their perspective on 20 false assumptions job seekers with disabilities find most harmful in their efforts to gain meaningful employment.
It all took place here on eSight’s “Swimming in the Mainstream” (SiM) blog as we celebrated the ADA's 15th anniversary during July.
Take a look at the insights SiM bloggers generated. They’re summarized in a new article,
"20 False Assumptions to Tackle as an Equal Opportunity Employer."
We’ll distribute widely that collective wisdom to employers – all made possible by a grant from the American Express Foundation. Thank you.
If you have further thoughts to add to the discussion capped by "20 False Assumptions to Tackle as an Equal Opportunity Employer" (currently highlighted in Employer Resources), please do so here.
Posted by Jim Hasse at 01:49 PM | Comments (1)