By Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy (Reposted from DOL’s (Work in Progress) Blog)
What can YOU do? It’s such an interesting question because it’s wide open to interpretation. But I’ve found that most people, especially adults, tend to answer in the context of employment or occupation. And each time they do, it reaffirms my basic belief in the intrinsic value of work.
Put simply, work is fundamental to identity. It means so much more than a paycheck; it offers purpose and the opportunity to lead a more independent, self-directed life for all people—including millions of Americans with disabilities.
I say this with conviction because I am one of those millions of people.
I was born blind. My sister Peggy was also born blind. We were the middle of six children, and there was no diagnosis for our blindness. But from a young age, our parents instilled in us an assumption of work, starting with household chores. Among other things, I had to mow the lawn. (People often inquire how this worked. When I asked my father how I would know which part I had cut and which I still had to do, his response was “You’re going to have to take off your shoes.”)
I can’t lie. Like most children, I didn’t relish chores. But the message my parents sent by requiring me to do them has made all the difference in my life. It taught me the value of work. As Henry Ford once said, “There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.” I agree wholeheartedly. Indeed, work is essential to my self-fulfillment; it’s a huge part of who I am. It’s the same for Peggy.
But the importance of work extends far beyond any one individual. When all people are able to contribute and be recognized for their abilities, society as a whole reaps the benefits. Local economies are bolstered. Communities are strengthened—just like our family was strengthened when Peggy and I were expected to do our part.
This important principle is at the heart of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme: “A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?” This theme conveys that we all have a role to play—and benefit to gain from—increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
To start, employers must foster workplaces that are welcoming to current and potential employees with disabilities. But the responsibility doesn’t stop there. Those of us with disabilities must understand the intrinsic value of work and the skills and talent we have to offer. Youth with disabilities must grow up with the expectation of employment; and parents, educators and other adults of influence in their lives must reinforce this.
Therefore, America’s future success requires us to capitalize on the talents of all segments of the population, and the responsibility for making that happen must be shared. There is something everyone can do—every day of every month.
Held annually in October, NDEAM is a national campaign led by DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. Employers, schools and organizations of all sizes and in all communities are encouraged to participate. To learn more, visit the NDEAM Web page.
We are a new group fighting for equality for all people with disabilities and we found your story compelling and extremely inspiring. I wanted to use this story in a future PSA we are working on. The man in our video was born with spina bifida and is currently a journalism major at Collin College. He is also a very dear friend of mine. Let me know if we can use your story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz9fDUcLfjM
Thank all of you for your comments. I am legally blind…how? I had a stroke in 2001 which left me visually impaired. However, through the years I developed an epi retinal membrain wringle and have minimal vision in my left eye and it is traveling to my right eye. I also have dense right and left periphial vision, which is getting worse. Thus, I am legally blind. However, I want to work…I am a registered psych nurse – board certerfied in psych. I also have a masters in rehab and mental health counseling. I have had jobs in the past…but now my vision is worse…but I want to work. I live in Citrus County, Florida. I would welcome your suggestions and/or comments. Thank you.
Your story is very inspiring and teaches all employers an important aspect to hiring those with disabilities. The story of mowing the grass demonstrates how you had to find an alternative way to complete the job. Although this might be common practice for those with disabilities, those without might not see the alternative ways of doing things. Employers that hire a large number of individuals with disabilities might in fact be more productive because of the alternate way. October, as well as all year long, is an important time for employers to look at the value a disabled worker adds to the work environment.
DEAR SIR\MADAME,
I was Vietnamese and I am living in Vietnam. I am a disabled man. Now I am looking for a job, I can do office work. Would you please help me to find out a job? I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you very much.
Good day,
We are crying for help here in Cameroon.
As a severely disabled American that worked for the USPS for 18 years while in a wheelchair, I have been taught that the federal government can and will discriminate against you. When they do and you protest, they will give you the boot, blame it on the disabled and blackball the disabled.
The federal government is NOT the ideal hirer of the disabled. They are the ideal blackballers of disabled Americans.
Just ask me! I’ll tell you how they speak words of encouragement out of one end of their mouths with October handicapped awareness month, the other says we don’t want the disabled to work at the federal government, get out and don’t bother applying for other jobs like we promised I could do, because after over 500+ applications, I’ve received no job in over a dozen years. This is just more fluff!
This real story is so inspired!!!!! Thanks a lot for sharing it. I’ll be sharing it with our university community at the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce. We have the only academic program in Puerto Rico at baccalaureate level in Psychology (Forensic and Mental Health) with emphasis in Rehabilitation Services. Thanks!
Kathleen,
Thanks for your words of wisdom!!!!!!!
I am retired, on a fixed income and have been diagnosed with PLS, which is a form of ALS, but I am willing to work anytime.
This important principle is at the heart of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme: “A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?” This theme conveys that we all have a role to play – and benefit to gain – by increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
I am asking if this important principle is at the heart, then why is it that because of my wife’s disabilities, her working years were cut short. My wife’s severe disabilities has only allowed 38 Social Security credits.
So the so-called Social Security system states she has to have 40 credits just to draw any Social Security. You tell me what this important principle is at the heart of and what actually it does for her.
Fred E.
I am looking for a job teaching other people with disabilities. Hopefully my own struggles will help me empathize with others struggle to find work, too.
My name is Vernell R. and I am the mother of four adult children and grandmother of five and I live in a small community in Queens, NY. within one of New York City Housing Authority developments. While raising my family as a single parent, I struggled with a mental illness, which often lead me to self medicate. In 1994, after attending Daytop Village, a drug treatment program, I was clinically diagnosed and although I graduated in 1995 and managed to abstain from drugs and alcohol for three years, I relapsed. For fourteen years I was in and out of hospital psychiatric units while also trying to raise my children, complete school and keep a job in the field of Human Services with a concentration around Health & Community.
Between jobs, I volunteered my time to assist in empowering my neighbors around housing issues and self-supporting opportunities in economic advancements.
At no time, however, did I disclose my mental illness to my family, friends, employers or to leaders in the community; in fact I hid in shame. In 2009, I experienced a manic episode which caused me to be hospitalized again. However, this time I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, whereas I knew something had to change within my life. Subsequently I had become determined never to be hospitalized on an inpatient psychiatric unit as a patient again, so I developed a written plan of action.
With the help of my therapist at Jamaica Hospital, I began my journey of recovery by attending the Peer to Peer Recovery Program which NAMI offered and after completion, I was directed to Community Access- Howie the Harp ACE program. Life was making a dramatic turn for in my life as I returned to work and found myself on the other side of the fence serving clients as a Peer Specialist and experiencing discrimination, stereotyping and the stigma associated with mental illness. Still determined to seek and maintain my recovery in spite of my struggle with ambivalences of how to address being discriminated against, I held true to my conviction and began to learn how to overcome my barriers to recovery through begining to accept that I had a mental illness and fight not to allow anyone to define me as my mental illness.
In October 2011, I was exposed to the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and made a connection with recovery which allowed me to actualize the plan I had developed two years prior in the hospital. I experienced an awe inspiring moment that recovery was truly possible. Doors continued to open and with the help of a positive person in my life. I became a Peer Health Coach at the Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC). Although while working with HHC, I began to decompensate, I had utilized the natural supports in my life such as a co-worker, family, friends and my supervisors at HHC. The fact that I had committed myself to facilitating weekly group sessions of the Guide to Keeping Healthy after the Hospital, I remained true to my WRAP.
In April 2012, I traveled to Chicago where the Copeland Center was offering the WRAP training and since that time I have developed the WRAP 4 Wellness & Recovery which includes SAMHSA Eight Dimensions of Wellness and have been employed in my community by the Addabbo Family Health Clinic to help share with others that recovery is possible and hope is alive through assiting my peers to obtain employment through my program.
I am seeking assistance in any form to expand the program by obtaining finances, technical assistance and work space. Speaking for myself and the hundreds of my peers that I will assist through this program, if there is anything that anyone can do to help with establishing our work force, our community and we will forever be greatful. I can be contacted at 718 945-7150, ext. 1217
Don’t ask the federal government for any type of help. If you are disabled you are screwed in their eyes!
I’m currently trying to work with the State DVR IN CREATING JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN HAWAII. WHERE WE ARE RUNNING INTO A BARRIER IS TRYING TO GET THE COOPERATION OF RSA TO UNDERSTAND THE FOCUS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO HELP CREATE THE JOBS OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THEIR RESTICTIVE FUNDING POLICIES THAT LIMIT THE CHANCE TO BE CREATIVE!