tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56541005484684062562024-03-04T12:21:14.761-08:00We Can Do This if We TryPromoting effective engagement related to issues that affect people with disabilities.Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-33164263488953115282023-07-07T21:10:00.000-07:002023-07-07T21:10:45.928-07:00The National Disability Museum Concept Is Alive Again!<p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">Aloha from Hawaii!</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"> </span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">It has been awhile, I know. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">In the spring of 2018, after hearing Lonnie Bunch (now head of the Smithsonian) speak about the challenges of establishing the African American Museum, I wrote two blog posts on the need for a disability museum on the national Mall. That idea did not gain visible traction again until the death of Judith Huemann, a friend to many and a national/international advocate for disability rights, in the spring of this year.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">Now things are really hopping! There are two groups working on the museum concept. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Neither group has a formal name yet. One group, the small one, is focused on the necessary steps to get to a brick and mortar national museum. It is working on legislation to authorize a commission to recommend on the feasibility and approach to creating a national museum on disability history and culture. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">The other group, the big one, is focused on all aspects of collecting, cataloging, and otherwise curating materials for disability exhibits, and eventually the creation of a national museum. Currently it wants to foster and help others to consider, build, and share exhibits throughout the country, including local museums, regional museums, and the Smithsonian, with emphasis on educating others about the importance of disability rights. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">I am participating in both groups.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">It has been fascinating to be involved in this process. The larger group, which may have a listserv of more than 400 people at this point, was started in March 2023. It has had five meetings. The attendance at the first few meetings was impressive, but, according to one participant at today’s meeting only 19 people participated. A great deal of time has been spent in these large group meetings discussing how to maximize access for anyone and everyone with disabilities and on how to attract the broadest diversity of people with disabilities. These two priorities have left less time to discuss and decide structure and designate people to leadership roles. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">I have never observed such an organic process. I fear, however, without a name, leadership, and organization, this admirable effort may dissipate or break into smaller groups over the next year. So much energy, enthusiasm, and effort has been generated and they need to be sustained and grow. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> This will happen if they are </span>channeled and directed. This won’t happen without structure and leadership. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">Based on what I have heard and observed so far, full accessibility and broad diversity will be clearly reflected priorities in any organization adopted and any leadership designated. By their nature, access and diversity will always need tending, but right now we need to address organization and designate leaders.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">This summer, the smaller group will be reaching out to disability and museum sources/experts to join a steering committee to oversee promotion and realization of legislation that would authorize the commission to advise on a museum on disability history and culture. The commission option appears to be the first step on the path to create any national museum for any population.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">I will be writing more about the efforts of both the small group and large group as the year progresses. I hope you too will decide to help by tracking what develops and alerting your contacts. A national museum on disability is a big deal and long overdue. Disability intersects with each and every category of human beings. We need to identify, collect, and organize the disability experience, the good, the bad, and ugly, and preserve it so today’s and future generations can learn from it.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">Here the larger group’s communications link:</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody; font-size: 25.82px; font-weight: bold;"> <a href="mailto:disability-rights-museum@googlegroups.com"><span class="s4" style="color: #e4af0a; font-size: 25.82px;">disability-rights-museum@googlegroups.com</span></a> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody; font-size: 25.82px; font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">The smaller group does not yet have a public link. I will keep you apprised of its actions through my blog.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">Thank you.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 25.82px;">Pat Morrissey (aka: Common Grounder)</span></p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-43805925573078500232023-03-05T17:31:00.001-08:002023-03-06T21:19:09.455-08:00Judy Heumann, 1947-2023 <p> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Yesterday Judy Heumann officially acquired angel status.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Judy always knew what the right thing was to do. But she also knew, it would take more than one person to make something right to happen. She was a human Rolodex, the best connector of others, and the best button pusher to make right things come about.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">She was super human. I’m not sure that she ever slept. She would call people at all times of the day and at night. Sometimes just to see how they were feeling, but often also to motivate them. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Her geo-political reach was unmatched in the disability rights arena. She had genuine relationships with disability advocates across the globe. They knew when Judy called, texted, or sent an email it was for a good reason and they were committed to action. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">She had the best intuitive sense of why certain people needed to get to know each other. Perhaps for personal growth, but more likely to combine forces to bring about needed change. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">She knew that for disability rights to be understood and to flourish younger generations needed to be nurtured and included. So many young people saw Judy as a mentor and friend. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">She had vast audiences and platforms. She recognized educating others about disability rights was an incremental process. She realized words alone were not enough, books alone were not enough. She saw the timely value in public speaking, social media, blogs, documentaries, and film. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">She wanted legislation to create a permanent disability advisor in the State Department, with staff, money, and clout to become law, but it did not. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Now is our turn to act. To honor Judy and give traction to her energy, passion, and legacy, let’s get that legislation passed. Judy is above us now, watching over us. Let’s not let her down. Reach out to all Members of Congress to pass the legislation quickly to honor Judy Heumann and provide a catalyst for what she so tirelessly fought. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When Judy was in a room the electricity was palpable. When Judy was on a zoom call, ears waited for Judy to speak. Brains waited to process what she said. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Though we no longer have direct access to her wisdom, we know what we need to say and do. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Remind others that disability rights is nonpartisan, that access without meaningful inclusion is of marginal value, and that planning anything without people with disabilities at the table is not smart and likely, costly. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We will miss Judy. She does not want tears. She wants action.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Pat Morrissey </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-68894300860200861842022-12-06T18:39:00.000-08:002022-12-06T18:39:25.192-08:00 DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF SOMETHING TRANSFORMATIONAL? Ask your Senators to Cosponsor S. 4982: International Children with Disabilities Protection Act<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">S. 4982 would authorize spending $10 million dollars in small grants to organizations across the globe that provide parents of children with disabilities with information, advocacy, training, and support to keep their children in their families and stop the placing of these children in institutions. Senator Menendez (D, NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the bill on September 28, 2022. Senator Moran (R, KS) joined him as the first cosponsor. On the same day nine other Senators joined them: Durbin (D, IL), Murkowski (R, AK), Leahy (D, VT), Blackburn, (R, TN), Shaheen (D, NH), Tillis (R, NC), Kaine (D, VA), Duckworth (D, IL), Merkley (D, OR), and Murphy (D, CT). On November 14, 2022, Senators Cardin (D, MD) and Casey (D, PA) joined as co-sponsors. There is no opposition to this legislation. Its first stop is the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should be our initial contacts. In addition to Senator Menendez, cosponsoring Senators Cardin, Shaheen, Murphy, Kaine, and Merkley are on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We need to get a majority of the Senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to support quick passage in the Committee, so S. 4982 can be considered by the full Senate before this Congress ends. Other members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are: Senators Coons (D, DE), Markey (D, MA), Booker (D, NJ), Schatz (D, HI), Van Hallen (D, MD), Risch (R, ID), Rubio (R, FL), Johnson (R, WI), Romney (R, UT), Portman (R, OH), Rand (R, KY), Young (R, IN), Barrasso (R, WY), Cruz (R, TX), Rounds (R, SD), and Hagerty (R, TN).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">S. 4982 is one of those small miracles. If enacted, it could change societies that have invested heavily in institutions. Parents of children with disabilities, once empowered, will convince others to see the value and benefit of keeping families intact -- individuals with disabilities will thrive and contribute to their communities, parents will get the support they need, social infrastructure will align with disability rights, and economies will benefit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">If the Senate moves with speed and passes S. 4982 soon, one of two things could happen. The legislation could be attached to another bill in the House, which has a high probability of passing, and be signed into law this year. Or, if passed by the Senate with overwhelming support, but not considered by the House, it would have a smooth path for reintroduction in the Senate in the new Congress and with that could promote serious and speedy consideration by the House of Representatives.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">One hundred organizations support S. 4982. They represent disability, faith-based, children’s, and international development interests. An opportunity like this does not occur often, yet here it is. If you engage and help over the next few weeks and we are successful, we will produce a holiday miracle and lay the foundation for powerful, bipartisan cooperation in the future.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>PS: TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE US INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES GALA December 7, 2022. HERE'S THE LINK: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usicd-gala-to-celebrate-the-international-day-of-p-tickets-432926112657 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usicd-gala-to-celebrate-the-international-day-of-p-tickets-432926112657" target="_blank">Tickets</a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Thank you. Have a great holiday season!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Patricia Morrissey, </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">President, US International Council on Disabilities</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">aka Common Grounder</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-29510086373749372742021-11-25T17:25:00.001-08:002021-11-25T17:42:22.982-08:00A Gala to Celebrate People with Disabilities<p> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Aloha from Hawaii and Happy Thanksgiving! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">"L<span style="background-color: white;">eadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.” This is the theme of the United Nations International Day to Celebrate Persons with Disabilities, December 2, 2021. The U.S. International Council on Disabilities is having its virtual gala on December 2, 2021. Please buy a ticket. Details are below.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;">We are all grateful for so many things. Supporting USICD is one way for us to make our gratitude concrete and have an impact. If you go to our web site, <a href="http://www.usicd.org/" style="color: #954f72;">www.usicd.org</a>, you can access our most recent annual report.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;">I am thankful for all of you for viewing this blog, now in its seventh year. We have a lot in which to engage next year on behalf of people with disabilities, especially when they experience discrimination and lack access to the basics of living. USICD is the little engine who could. Please help us broaden and strengthen our impact.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;">Patricia Morrissey<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;">President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;">U.S. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 15pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 13.5pt;">USICD’s Fundraising Annual Gala<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 11.5pt;">Every year we observe and celebrate the<a href="https://www.un.org/en/events/disabilitiesday/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0274be; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0274be; padding: 0in;">International Day of Persons with Disabilities</span></a> on or around December 3rd. At our gala, we honor leaders of the disability rights movement whose impact has been felt on the international stage—American policymakers are recipients of the Dole-Harkin Award, for distinction in public service to the global disability community, and an overseas disability rights advocate is honored for his/her outstanding work in advancing the rights, opportunities, and dignity of persons with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 22.5pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 22.5pt; padding: 0in;">2021 Virtual Gala</span></b><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 19.2pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 15pt;">PLEASE PLAN TO CELEBRATE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES With the USICD Board, Donors, Friends and Congressional, Corporate, and other Partners of USICD!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;">Date: </span></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 15pt;">2 December, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;">Time: </span></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 15pt;">7pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;">Visit Eventbrite to</span></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 15pt;"> </span><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usicd-gala-to-celebrate-the-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-tickets-188448533637" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #0274be;">Purchase Tickets</span></a></span></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 15pt;"> ($100)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;">Ready to sponsor our 2021 Gala and Mission? Contact <a href="mailto:ihodge@usicd.org" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #0274be;">USICD’s Executive Director Isabel Hodge</span></a> .</span></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #3a3a3a; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><img alt="Gala Flyer 2021 RFS4.pdf" class="Apple-web-attachment" id="<FEE57E96-CD57-4BBC-AFCB-713256B078C8>" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6670c8e1-88c5-4bc3-bdbf-5a579dc2b9f3" style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; opacity: 1;" type="application/x-apple-msg-attachment" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-82817116737071320832021-10-08T16:34:00.002-07:002021-10-08T16:34:55.978-07:00Talking Points for Your Elected Officials: IT IS TIME TO WORK THINGS OUT <p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">As a voter, a taxpayer, and as a civic-minded American, I am beyond frustrated with the bickering in Congress between and within parties. We all benefit from clean air. Many people need and will benefit from more child care and pre-kindergarten. Everyone will benefit from infrastructure repairs and improvements, including the expansion of broadband. The economy will be positively affected. We must increase the debt ceiling and not put the good faith and credit of the United States at risk, which means, among many things, making sure checks to soldiers and retirees don’t stop.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 30.8px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">There has been enough posturing in Congress. It’s time to make decisions and take actions that will allow us to go forward and prosper. The behavior and rhetoric among members of Congress cannot be explained or justified any longer. It must change. If not, we are creating a situation in which a third-party option, such as the Forward Party of Andrew Yang, will become more attractive and gain real traction to many people and make federal election outcomes even more unpredictable. I urge anyone who reads this post to use it as a basis to write to their members of Congress and get us the results we need. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 30.8px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><ol class="ol1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><li class="li1" style="font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">Pass the Infrastructure legislation (roads, bridges, broadband)</span></li><li class="li1" style="font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">Pass the Build Back Better legislation (more child care, pre-kindergarten, community college, elder care, and cleaner air and more)</span></li><li class="li1" style="font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">Pass legislation to increase the debt ceiling so we will have money to pay federal bills</span></li><li class="li1" style="font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">Congress is out of excuses. We each must let it know we are out of patience. </span></li><li class="li1" style="font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">Tell Members now is the time to put aside differences and give us the action we need to not just to survive but to prosper.</span></li></ol><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 30.8px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">Thank you,</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 30.8px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25.8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 25.82px;">Common Grounder</span></p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-9355895490417491152021-09-09T16:27:00.001-07:002021-09-09T16:27:30.311-07:00Arrival of Afghan Evacuees in the U.S.: An Opportunity for the Disability Community<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I have many years living with a disability, writing disability legislation, and administering disability programs. The disability community is always interesting in expanding our impact, increasing accessibility, and forging new partnerships. Focusing on the pending influx of Afghans is an important way we may do that right now.</span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">We all have watched the video feed from Kabul. It was heart wrenching. Two things are certain – people at the airport wanted to leave and most are coming to the U.S. The unanswered question is what will they experience when they get here? The U.S. military is responsible for logistics, including immediate housing when they get here and their safety. The State Department is responsible for their clearance. The Department of Health and Human Service Office of Refugee Resettlement will participate in where they will go long term and arrange start up support. All states will have the chance to play a role in this resettlement process. It will take time. So much will depend on community readiness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">The critical factor will be the nature of community-level receptivity to these Afghanistan refugees. Is a community welcoming? Is a community prepared? Are Afghans involved in deciding what they need?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">We in the disability community have experience and expertise in assisting someone secure his/her rights and live a more independent life. This happens within a context of a network of support. Natural support, like that of family, is especially vital to help children and young adults with disabilities learn about choices and their consequences. As Afghans arrive in this country, even those with disabilities, they are likely to come with family. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to assist families and individuals with disabilities within them take advantage of what our communities have to offer in housing, food, clothing, employment, health care, transportation, education, recreation, and other services and supports.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">These things must be coordinated for and explained to Afghans, and if disability is a factor, we need to offer appropriate accessibility accommodations. First, it makes sense, for those of us interested in helping, to get together and share what we may contribute to the effort. That means nonprofits, social organizations, including churches, mosques, and public agencies.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">Second, we should identify the size of the current Afghan population in our area for several reasons. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->If the population is large, we may see a great increase in the number of new Afghans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Members of the current population may assist with translation of print and other media material, as well as direct conversations with new arrivals.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Members of the current population may offer informal services and supports in a variety of ways.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->The scope of services and supports needed and the capacity of a community to respond will be driven by the number of new arrivals and their characteristics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">Third, someone among us needs to become the point person/expert on what is available in key service sectors (housing, food, clothing, employment, health care, transportation, education, recreation, and other services and supports) and keep the larger group advised. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">Fourth, it makes sense to offer, each family with one or more members with disabilities, a coordinator/navigator to secure appropriate services and supports from varied agencies and organizations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">Fifth, we should maintain a tracking system to measure our progress in assisting new arrivals.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">Sixth, we should maintain a website in appropriate languages where new arrivals and their navigators make access the most recent information, including eligibility requirements, for accessing services and supports.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">These things I have outlined here require funding and person power. Securing them may take time. However, if we start thinking and talking about them now at the community level, when official funding sources become known, we will be in a stronger position and be able to access them more easily. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">I have shared common sense ideas for assisting Afghan families experienced with disability, but any family would benefit from the community commitment I have described. Moreover, the arrival of new Afghans to any of our communities provides us with the chance to set aside silos and lessen bureaucracy, so that these new people see what is best in us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">Thank you.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">Common Grounder</p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-53721465477926103342021-06-24T16:12:00.000-07:002021-06-24T16:12:40.846-07:00LeftBrainArtStudio on Etsy.com<p>Many of you know me as someone who pushes for opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in and contribute to community life. Well, I continue to do that on a voluntary basis. But, now I am also a digital artist. I have launched a shop on Etsy — LeftBrainArtStudio. </p><p><br /></p><p>All profits will go to the U.S. International Council on Disabilities (USICD) (I am the current President) or the Greg Moyer AED Fund. </p><p><br /></p><p>USICD promotes disability rights worldwide. An upcoming USICD free webinar, jointly sponsored with Trickle Up, will focus on international economic development and inclusion and disability rights on July 8, 2021 at 2:30 PM EDST. Check www.USICD.org for information on how to register.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Greg Moyer AED Fund sponsors education, legislation, training on how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest, especially in young athletes, and provides automatic electronic defibrillators at cost. The fund was established by Rachel Moyer, my sister, and her family, when my nephew, Greg, died of cardiac arrest at the mid-point of a high school basketball game on December 2, 2000, and no AED was available that may have saved his life.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have made my first sale! I have eight paintings in the shop — some flowers and Hawaiian seascapes. More to come. So if you have an empty wall, check my paintings out and help me support two very worthy nonprofits.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you.</p><p>Pat Morrissey</p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-50880276107553588082021-06-07T20:43:00.000-07:002021-06-07T20:43:34.009-07:00Disability Matters, Why Isn't It Counted?<p> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">The pandemic, latest travesties connected to police, hate-related shootings, and assaults on voting rights have elevated public attention to and support for equitable treatment of Blacks and other racial groups. That is good, but it is tragic that it took horrific behavior and deaths to get us to focus on and begin conversations and take actions that are long overdue. Attention increases visibility. Attention creates potential for power. The availability of data perpetuates both. It allows comparisons. It strengthens arguments for change. It increases credibility for positive directions.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Those who are disabled and those who advocate for disability rights must realize unless we push for disability-related data collection in all contexts aggressively, we will remain an afterthought and marginalized in the current social push for equity in health care, treatment by police, voting access, and other circumstances.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There are many reasons why people with disabilities are absent in existing data bases. Disability is not like race, age, socio-economic status, or sex. If we start collecting disability data in addition to other characteristics, it will cost a fortune, because disability crosses any and every other category. We don’t have enough time or money for collecting such data. Yet, without it, we don’t know what’s happening to people with disabilities.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Disability-related data comes with risks. If we collect it, we run the risk of being sued if the story it tells is a bad one. Yet, without it, we don’t have validated reasons for making decisions that make sense and bring needed change.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Designing surveys takes time. If we get input from people with disabilities, that will take more time and money because of the need of accommodations to ensure full participation in creating a survey. But, if we don’t do this, our attention to disability is absent, based on faulty assumptions, or handled in a superficial manner.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If we ask detailed questions of people with disabilities directly, then we may need to spend more time and money in getting their answers. Yet, if we do not do this, then the data we collect may have little use.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When disability-related data collection does occur, it is often separate, and includes modest samples, lessening the ability to do comparisons and reach wide reaching implications, especially in the area of disparities in varied settings. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We must change what is happening in data collection. We need to shape data points. We must push for as many as necessary data points to secure meaningful data. If we do not, then we will remain less visible, remain marginalized, and not be a force in America’s effort to become a fairer, more inclusive, less discriminatory landscape. There are 60 million plus of us. We need to take a seat at all data collection tables now. Sitting this one out or relying on others to remember and treat us as we should be treated, is not an option. This is a central disability rights issue that must be appropriately addressed in policy, including federal legislation, regulations, and guidelines, and in actions guided by these policies.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thank you. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Common Grounder</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-14914516099963361452021-01-21T19:50:00.006-08:002021-01-21T19:50:49.828-08:00Joy and Inclusion: Open Letter to President Biden<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; text-align: center;"><b class=""> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">During your campaign and at your inauguration you offered messages on inclusion that were strengthened by your past and promised actions. My heart is filled with joy and a sense of hope. Hope that real lives will be changed for the better because of the actions of your administration and our collective commitment to help. I come to these beliefs as a person with a disability who has promoted disability rights for most of my life, spanning 76 years.<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"><o:p class=""> </o:p>You understand that for government to be enlightened requires leadership that reflects diverse perspectives. Your leadership team includes accomplished individuals who come from backgrounds and have had life experiences that equip them to bring America’s diversity to decision-making tables in Washington, D.C. What we have yet to see is the inclusion of people with perspectives of those who have lived with disabilities. You may say those appointments will come, and they should. But what I urge is something broader than appointing people with disabilities to run disability programs. You need people with disabilities at all levels throughout government. I especially propose appointing people with first-hand experience with disability to decision-making ranks of all departments and units that touch the lives of human beings. Such people are some of the best problem solvers and team players on the planet.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">If we want meaningful inclusion throughout American society, then disability perspectives must be present at all decision-making tables in government. People with disabilities may need accommodations, but those should not be solely understood to mean separate or special treatment or programs or disability-related appointments.<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"><o:p class=""> </o:p>I recommend five things to build into your ongoing appointment process. </p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span class="" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Consider qualified individuals with disabilities when filling positions in the Departments of Defense, State, Agriculture, Treasury, Transportation, Energy, and Interior as well as in the Departments of Education, Labor, Veteran Affairs and Health and Human Services<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span class="" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Consider people with disability perspectives for appointments to all kinds of input groups such as committees, boards, and commissions <o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span class="" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Ask all government leaders to promote and consider disability perspectives in hiring<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span class="" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Mount targeted recruitment campaigns by reaching out to disability organizations for qualified candidates<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span class="" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Recognize that disability perspectives are available to you from leaders in the disability community, everyday citizens with disabilities, and their parents, siblings, other relatives, friends, and advocates<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"><o:p class=""> </o:p>I know you and your administration are thoughtful and include persons with disabilities in any list you give referring to race, sex, gender and other characteristics. This is very important. But much more is needed and expected in this new chapter in American history that people with disabilities want to participate in writing. They have seen discrimination and fought against it. They have experienced abuse yet maintained their dignity. They have witnessed inequity and changed laws to overcome it. They have faced barriers to opportunities and access and knocked them down. They are represented in every subgroup in America, 60 million people wanting to contribute to a new, vibrant America where opportunity, choice, and prosperity are within reach of everyone. They know the need for and value of partnering with others. They accept compromise when diverse strategies lead to shared goals. They are patient and practical, respect facts, recognize honesty, they are smart and creative, and seek and offer respect. These people could and should flourish within and partner with your administration. The results of their full inclusion will mean greater speed of implementation and broader impact of the goals you have set for us to achieve together. You and the First Lady have direct experience with disability. Make sure others in your administration come to understand its value and use it to reflect an inclusive federal work force, a model for others to replicate.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"><o:p class=""> </o:p>Sincerely,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"><o:p class=""> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">Patricia Morrissey</p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-36586092075501244132020-11-27T19:05:00.000-08:002020-11-27T19:05:07.957-08:00It Is Time to Support the International Council on Disabilities, Attend USICD's Virtual Gala, December 3, 2020, 2 to 4 ET<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Not another Zoom gathering! You bet. It's up to you to help us build our momentum and we have it!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As the result of the election,</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><i style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Make America Great Again</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">has been replaced by</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><i style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Build Back Better</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">. Slogans are statements that imply direction. Symbols like walls confirm intent. Symbols like open doors celebrate opportunity. USICD is in a key position to help the incoming Biden-Harris team demonstrate that the U,S. will open doors and will not be spectator. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Our organization has the experience, the standing, the will, and the ideas to work with and through transitional partnerships to – <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Assist local leaders achieve disability rights, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Shape inclusive economic development initiatives, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Bring people together to create practical solutions for reducing poverty among the disabled and opening opportunities for women with disabilities, and <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Educate policy makers about the importance and benefits of having the disability perspective represented at all decision-making tables.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-indent: -0.25in;">A new day has dawned. It is up to each of us and all of us to ensure that promotion and understanding of disability rights become as visible and pervasive as wearing masks.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-indent: -0.25in;">Please join us for a great two hours -- elected officials will be honored, screen stars will share their approach to inclusion and entertain, generous sponsors will make the case for disability rights, and I have pushed for a door </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">prize (no one knows how to do it virtually).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here is the link to buy tickets ($100): </span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usicd-gala-to-celebrate-the-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-tickets-125664424677">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usicd-gala-to-celebrate-the-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-tickets-125664424677</a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Thank you.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Patricia Morrissey</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">President</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span> </p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-39736664186967645922020-11-02T18:50:00.001-08:002020-11-02T18:50:49.371-08:00ELECTION EVE 2020<p>We are exhausted. Wherever we stand and whomever we support, we know very clearly that actions have consequences. President Trump has taught us many things. If you say something enough times, whether it is true or not, the number of people believing it increases and the number who will never change their mind when they hear information to the contrary becomes solid, like a stale piece of cake. What was once considered intolerable in word or action becomes tolerable. We lose the ability to be shocked. The standards for what is acceptable become extremely lax. We have not had an impact on President Trump but he has had an impact on us.</p><p>I live in Hawaii. I voted early by mail. I am comforted in the fact that so many Americans, over 90 million have already voted. Those of you who are left, please vote tomorrow.</p><p>Over the last three months I have read seven books about President Trump by people who have worked with him or spend time with him, unlike the rest of us. Their collective impressions are clear. He does not read very much. He makes decisions without much consultation. He is focused on ends that benefit him. He expects people to be loyal to him, but does not reciprocate that loyalty.</p><p>When President Trump's interests and those of the U.S. have aligned, we have benefitted -- in some trade negotiations, in reduction of our military in areas of conflict, through reemergence of economic zones, greater support for HBCUs, and high values in our 401Ks and stocks.</p><p>But, we have lost so much more -- protection for our environment, trust in government and our institutions, an open ear for those that do not agree with us, disconnect from young people who think we are clueless, and the politization of everything from public health to the judiciary. The pandemic has exacerbated our collective situation. More things have surfaced that are fraying our social order -- inequities in policing, health care, education, food security, and access to housing. </p><p>The best thing that could happen, when all the votes are counted, is a landslide. However, whoever wins we must each hold our next president to very high standards and if he does not meet those standards immediately within the first year, we should fire him. We will have evidence very early in the next four year term. What are the standards? Truth, transparency, integrity, compassion and empathy, economic and social justice are the first standards that come to mind.</p><p>If President Trump loses we need to urge and expect the media to stop covering him. Their coverage gives him and destructive forces in this country and abroad oxygen in order to foster division and chaos. That must stop no matter how financially lucrative it might be.</p><p>I have spent my professional life successfully promoting common ground. I believe in the strength it gives to all those who participate in bringing it about. Together we can accomplish so much good. We must find our way back to problem solving together. The alternative is too scary and the America we want will be so much harder to achieve.</p><p>The future is in our hands. We do not have to give up, give in, or regret if each of us votes for the next president. The world is watching and so are 60 million individuals with disabilities who have been neglected for the last four years.</p><p>Thank you.</p><p>Common Grounder</p>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-73562860253241647812020-07-10T20:35:00.000-07:002020-07-16T18:06:48.613-07:00Help Make a Big Difference by Urging Passage of HR 3373/S 3880 The Office of Disability Rights Act<div>
<span style="font-family: "times";">I worked as a committee disability policy staffer in the House in the 1980s and held a similar position in the Senate in the 1990s. Back then Members of Congress and staffers from both parties talked to each other, worked out differences, and enacted a great deal of legislation -- amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Deaf Education Act, and the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Right Act and drafted the Assistive Technology Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 30th anniversary of the ADA is on July 26th this year. When it came to disability policy, bipartisan cooperation was alive and well in the 1980s and 1990s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times;">Now, we have in Congress modest legislation introduced by Representative Dina Titus (D, NV) in the House and Senator Robert Casey (D, PA) in the Senate that would make permanent the Office of Disability Rights in the State Department. It was originally established, not through law, but by Executive Branch action in the Obama administration, and President Trump has continued it. This little office is doing amazing things. Check out these links to the State Department Magazine: </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://statemag.state.gov/2020/07/0720office/?fbclid=IwAR1KoneYLQMRnphY298bipeit3OsyPoeTIP5pAgkZwATBVw54d6T3wsXgWQ" id="LPlnk696685" style="font-family: calibri, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-size-adjust: auto;">https://statemag.state.gov/2020/07/0720office/?fbclid=IwAR1KoneYLQMRnphY298bipeit3OsyPoeTIP5pAgkZwATBVw54d6T3wsXgWQ</a>; <span style="color: #3367d6;">https://statemag.state.gov/2020/07/0720feat02/</span>. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "times";">The office received some funding this year and is slated by the House Appropriations Committee to receive a slight increase in funding for the next fiscal year (total $1 million), which begins on October 1, 2020. The House and Senate bills would make this office </span><u style="font-family: times;">permanent,</u><span style="font-family: "times";"> give it a leader, and help train employees of the State Department about the importance of disability rights and how to advocate for these rights through their work around the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times;">In the House, HR 3373 passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote and is awaiting Floor action (a full House vote). The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has not yet considered S 3880. The biggest difference between the two bills is that in the House bill the leader of the office is a special advisor to an assistant secretary (like in the Obama Administration) and in the Senate the leader of the office is an ambassador at large. President Trump has not designated an official leader for the office.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times;">Because of the pandemic the amount of time Members of Congress are in session between now and the election is very brief. Unless we push very hard and are very vocal about the merits of this legislation it will not be enacted. Then in January 2021 in the new Congress, we will have to start over again from scratch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times;">This legislation is a good idea and it is not controversial. It only affirms the value of an <u>existing office in the State Department and gives it a leader</u>. What level that leader is surely can be negotiated in conference between the House and the Senate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Office of Disability Rights would help the U.S. guide and promote disability rights worldwide. Through this office the U.S. could bring about transformational change. If individuals with disabilities and their governments learn to work together — poverty will be reduced, how to decide and implement inclusive economic empowerment will become commonplace, and respect for disability rights will be understood, protected, and respected. Now with the pandemic and the demand for concrete examples of sustainable social justice, Americans desperately need to see something on which elected officials work together and support – legislation that promotes rights, stimulates empowerment, and potentially strengthens U.S. standing in foreign lands.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">Making this office permanent has real traction and provides us with a way to measure impact. For one thing, all State Department employees will be trained in disability rights. Just think about the capacity building reach of this one action!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">It is time to step up and take action. There are some opportunities that transcend partisan-driven expected outcomes. This is one. By advocating for disability rights we demonstrate our collective commitment to reach others worldwide through our State Department to address a clear, longstanding need — marginalization of people with disabilities and its high costs to societies – we can be on the right side of history by passing HR 3373/S 3880. What a way to celebrate the ADA's 30th year!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">Please call your elected officials in Congress and ask them to support this legislation and ask that it be given a vote in both the House and Senate before they close down for the election. You can share this blog post with them and your friends and family and ask them to urge action as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thank you,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">Pat Morrissey</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">President, U.S. International Council on Disabilities</span></span></div>
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Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-59265014512719215422020-06-06T20:40:00.000-07:002020-06-09T15:33:20.340-07:00Almost Nine Minutes: did it trigger a transformational change in our approach to social justice Almost 9 minutes is a very long time. Try sitting still for that long. Try thinking about one thing for that long. Try holding your breath for that long. You can’t do it. How many of us have watched somebody die? How many of us have watched somebody die for almost 9 minutes? How many of us have watched somebody die for almost 9 minutes when it could have been stopped or prevented? Because of what happened to George Floyd, most of us have.<br />
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Beyond seeing his murder over and over, beyond being shocked, three things really scare me, frighten me — the casual state and persistence of the murderer, the indifference of the murderer’s colleagues, and the limited actions by civilians present. The only explanation that I can come up with is related to accountability or rather the lack of it. The murderer thought he would face minimal consequences. His colleagues feared his reaction more then any consequence, if they had intervened. The civilians that witnessed the murder live, feared the police.<br />
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The 11 days of peaceful protest comprised of people from all walks of life, all ages, all races, and all backgrounds, the 11 days of coverage on social media and television, and the 11 days of commentary, tell us that we are at a place where we have never before been. In spite of the pandemic, we all feel the need to do something substantial, sustainable, and meaningful to ensure that African Americans no longer fear the police and no longer fear the rest of us because we question the acts of African Americans. How do we take away their fears?<br />
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First, we need to understand the fear of African Americans. I think we do now. Second, we need to immediately listen well, respect, and show it to everyone through our interactions. Third, we need to intervene immediately when we see a life threatened, even if we can only handle a 911 call in addition to videoing the event. Fourth, we need to vigorously instill these proactive behaviors in children. Fifth, we demand new ways in which to screen candidates for police academies; demand swift enforcement of law against police who violate it; apply swift clear, unequivocal standards to any police officer who allows a colleague to violate the law; and install strong civilian oversight of policing policies, training, and interventions.<br />
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The change that we thirst for at this moment requires each of us to commit to being on guard, speaking up, intervening when necessary, and protecting the rights of African Americans. If elected and appointed officials do not help us do this, then they need to be replaced.<br />
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There are many things we need to change and we need to work on all of them, but the first is to change the culture in police departments. Murder is murder. Letting it happen cannot be tolerated. We have an opportunity to change America so that African American mothers and fathers no longer have to explain to their children how to explicitly behave to save their lives in the presence of police. We need to act now. We must act now to bring true harmony to our country. We have a long road ahead of us. We must start new, frank conversations. Solutions are out there, we just need to support and implement them. Putting police departments who are unaccountable on notice is the first step.<br />
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Thank you,<br />
<br />
Pat MorrisseyCommon Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-4695654385786248352020-03-13T18:33:00.000-07:002020-03-14T17:35:47.739-07:00It's Time for an Outbreak of KindnessThe Coronavirus Pandemic has taken us all by surprise. It is rapidly changing life as we know it. And, even when it is over, will leave a lingering impact on us (We will always have 12 rolls of toilet paper in our closets, plenty of Clorox wipes too.). May I suggest that we use this uncertain time to reach out to those we know who have a disability or who are senior citizens to see if we can help in some small way. Here's a potential list. Offer to --<br />
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<ul>
<li>Pick up food, drinks, or prescriptions</li>
<li>Take out the garbage</li>
<li>Change a light bulb</li>
<li>Open or close a window</li>
<li>Walk the dog</li>
<li>Mail or pick up a package</li>
<li>Prepare and join them for a meal</li>
<li>Put away or retrieve things</li>
<li>Get cash </li>
<li>Give a ride</li>
<li>Text or call</li>
<li>Wash clothes</li>
<li>Change a bed</li>
<li>Just visit</li>
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The use of social distancing is going to increase before it goes away, I know it. That will leave many people with disabilities and the elderly with less access to the supports they have had on a routine basis. So, if your healthy and going out anyway, consider adding a little humanitarian detour. You will feel better and the person you help will be truly grateful.</div>
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Thank you.</div>
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Common Grounder</div>
Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-53933310443009291412019-12-09T13:52:00.001-08:002019-12-09T15:45:36.080-08:00H.R. 3373, Office of International Disabilities Rights Act, Let's Make It Happen!My hats off to Judy Heumann, the first and only, to this point, international disability rights officer in the State Department (2010-2016). Last Saturday she penned an opinion piece in the <i><a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/473438-the-us-needs-to-lead-again-on-disability-rights" target="_blank">Hill</a>, </i>alerting us to the importance of <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr3373" target="_blank">H.R. 3373</a>, the Office of International Disability Rights Act, introduced by Dina Titus (Democrat, Nevada), and Don Young (Republican, Alaska). The bill has 25 cosponsors, but we need many more! I anticipate Senator Casey (Democrat, Pennsylvania) will be introducing a companion bill in the Senate.<br />
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The legislation would establish an office and a high level officer to lead it on disability rights in the State Department. It's about time. There are one billion people with disabilities on this planet, and we need a designated U.S. team pushing for disability rights. This team could educate U.S. embassies, influence their initiatives and make sure they are inclusive. This team could work with Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs), providing technical assistance, highlighting successes, and shining a light on abuse, neglect, and inequalities. This office could partner with governments, leveraging capital and human resources to lay the foundation for transformational change in the lives of persons with disabilities everywhere.<br />
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All this said, we need to get off out couches and go to our keypads, alerting our elected officials to this much needed legislation and ask them to be a co-sponsor and urge their colleagues to join them.<br />
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A lot of work has gone into getting us this far. Isabel Hodge, CEO of the U.S. International Council on Disabilities, Virginia Atkinson, Liz Siddell, Lauren Terrell and Beverly Haggerdon from the Foundation for Electoral Systems, Eric Rosenthal and Donna Bouclier from Disability Rights International, Stephanie Collins for Human Rights Watch, and Marcie Roth from the World Institute on Disability, as well as John Wodatch and Judy Heumann, board members of the U.S. International Council on Disabilities, and many others, coordinated, made calls, sent emails, and walked or rolled the halls of the House just to get us where we are. Now it's our turn to pitch in.<br />
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Our message is a simple one.<br />
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The 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act is coming up in 2020.<br />
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The U.S. has always led the way on disability rights.<br />
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This is not a partisan mantra, it is a bipartisan commitment with a long, consistent, unwavering history.<br />
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Inclusive societies have strong economies and productive citizens.<br />
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Support H.R. 3373.<br />
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We can do this if we try. Now is the time.<br />
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Shoot me an email when you send a message to or talk with your elected officials -- yessirromp@gmail.com.<br />
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And once again, thanks to all who have pushed thus far!<br />
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Thank you,<br />
Common GrounderCommon Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-75929266337361948422019-11-30T18:00:00.001-08:002019-11-30T18:09:36.061-08:00A Chance to Do Something Special and SmartAloha from Hawai’i! It’s that time again - the 5th annual fundraising gala for the U.S.International Council on Disabilities — December 3rd, 6-8:30 PM at the AT&T Forum, 601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., fifth floor, Washington, D.C. Please consider buying a <a href="https://usicd.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5caf49583e48187222159a7a3&id=1348c27cd6&e=991f35cf65" target="_blank">ticket</a>.<br />
<br />
All the movers and shakers will be there to relax, network, and develop new partnerships for 2020. You do not want to miss it. Treat yourself, a friend, an aspiring political science major. It would be a smart and special Christmas present to give a ticket to someone you know. We face so many international challenges right now and we need to work together to promote bipartisan enthusiasm for disability rights and inclusion, like never before. There’s uncertainty across the globe on where America stands on so many issues. Traditionally our position on disability rights has been clear, loud, and consistent — where they exist they should be expanded and where they aren’t, they should be planted. By coming to the USICD gala or giving a ticket to someone else, you are reaffirming the U.S. stand and giving USICD a chance to expand its reach — lending an ear and extending a hand to real people in places that want and appreciate our support. If you visit <a href="http://www.usicd.org/">www.usicd.org</a> you can see where we have been and what we have done this past year. Our activities are outlined in our annual report. If you can’t make it, consider making an end-of-year donation to USICD. We will put it to good use I promise!<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
Common Grounder<br />
Aka Pat Morrissey, President of USICD<br />
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<br />Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-21244165788919729912019-09-08T17:58:00.000-07:002019-09-08T17:58:54.475-07:00Marca Bristo<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I have known Marca Bristo for a long time, perhaps since 1981. She’s the kind of person you feel like you have known forever. We were professional colleagues invested in inclusive communities, promoters of disability rights. She died this morning. Her passing is a substantial loss for many people in many places who she has touched with her wisdom, kindness and powerful sense of what is right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Marca was a study in contrasts. She was compassionate and tough, a visionary yet practical, open yet demanding, a consensus builder but a fierce opponent. She knew how to organize. She knew a good message when she saw it. She knew how to call a bluff and she knew how to regroup after a setback. She built things. She took risks. She inspired others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">This year she bought a group of us together to write a proposal to the MacArthur Foundation through its 100 and change initiative. The winner of this competition will receive $100 million to implement its big idea. She did this while dealing with a diagnosis of cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">She was the long time president of the U.S. International Council on Disabilities. She was the founder and until last month the CEO of Access Living in Chicago, a highly successful independent living center. She influenced and helped draft the Americans with Disabilities Act. She bought accessible transportation to Chicago. She advised others around the world on disability rights and how to create centers for independent living.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">If I were to guess what Marca would say to us now from her accessible perch in heaven, it would be this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">It’s OK to make small steps in the right direction as long as you keep your eye on the prize.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Building coalitions and creating powerful voices are necessary steps if we want sustainable change in the area of disability rights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">We have an obligation to learn from and share with others, what works, if we are serious about building inclusive communities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Look for connections between things and treasure relationships you build, they will help you get to where you want to go more quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Most of my communications with Marca over the last year have been by email. I wish I had talked to her more about her family, being a grandmother, and how she was feeling. However, we recognized her time was short, so we both focused on what needed to be done. I want a “do over” so much!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I’ll miss you, Marca.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Thank you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Common Grounder</span></div>
Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-79575631448791312202019-07-04T20:27:00.000-07:002019-07-05T18:25:16.888-07:00Independence Day, Not for Everyone!Families are not perfect. Dynamics in families can be complicated. Within families particular situations and personalities may make things difficult. But, basically speaking, in most there are the elements of support, nurturing, protection, and predictability. For people being detained on the border these elements are missing -- no family, no support, no protection, and no predictability, as well as, minimal access or no access to hygiene, weird food, and no space. It's horrible and I know what I'm talking about.<br />
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When I was 13 my mother and father took me to a hospital where I had orthopedic surgery over a six-month period. I was not allowed to see my parents during that time. The only person that I saw, who I knew when I entered, was my priest, once. My mail was subjected to some kind of sanitation process. So writing in letters with ink was blurred and often unreadable; cards, books and gifts were crinkled and mildewed; I had nothing of my own, just hospital clothes. Underwear was at a premium. There<br />
were a lot of cloth diapers, however. The nursing staff was modest. So when you were bedridden with plaster casts following surgery, you were often dependent on other children who could walk and use their hands to get you a bedpan. The older girls in the all-girl ward, who could walk and use their hands were in power. If they liked you, you got a bedpan. If they didn't like you, you didn't. When you washed up and how you washed up was dependent on somebody else. That schedule was controlled by others. Meals were delivered on a rigid schedule. If there were great desserts the older girls, who could walk and use their hands, would take them from your tray and eat them. We had school. We were taken outside in good weather once a week in June and July. The only physical activity was that related to daily physical therapy, once a day for 15 minutes in front of everyone. My space was a bed. The next bed was two feet away. There were 30 beds in the ward where I was housed. I felt like I was in prison. I couldn't understand why my parents put me in such a situation. I knew only that it had to end at some point and that I must be strong. After that six months experience, I was a different person. I was more self-reliant. I picked my friends carefully. I knew that life was not going to be a walk in the park and I had to prepare for it.<br />
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Pediatricians and Congress members have been talking this week about the women and particularly the children being held at the border -- about their blank stares, about children helping children; about the absence of nurturing caring adults especially family members, clean clothes, decent food, a bed; drawings, tears, and messages asking for help written on hands; and the inability to wash up and brush teeth. This is so wrong and so damaging. It must stop.<br />
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I know that Congress has passed a bill to spend more money to fix the situation on the border. I don't think the Border Protection Service is equipped psychologically or logistically to do the right things tomorrow. I think the money that Congress appropriated should be given to the American Red Cross and other similar groups immediately. They can reunite parents and children. They can find acceptable living spaces for people. They can track where people are. They can save us all from what I experienced as a child and what so many children are experiencing now. Not one more day should pass without help for the poor people on the border. They risk their lives for freedom and a better life and they are experiencing hell. We must make the federal government act quickly to restore these people in the proper manner and live up to the principles in our Declaration of Independence.<br />
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Thank you.<br />
Common GrounderCommon Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-19641459078046948782019-06-20T19:15:00.000-07:002019-06-21T18:27:49.511-07:00Where There's a Will, There's a Way<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="color: #5e5d6e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><o:p> Too m</o:p></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #5e5d6e; font-size: small;">any of the 1 billion of people with disabilities are denied the </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #5e5d6e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>choices </i></b><span style="color: #5e5d6e; font-size: small;">non-disabled people have: how they spend their time, experience activities of personal hygiene; what they eat or wear; when they go to bed or have access health care; how they socialize with others, travel around, or get an education or job; and where they live. These discriminatory and invisibility perpetuating practices must stop. They are morally wrong and economically stupid. We all know that. Yet, around the globe, and in places in the U.S. all things are not as they should be. The </span></span><span style="color: #5e5d6e; font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(94, 93, 110);">challenge is what are we willing to do to bring about needed changes?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5e5d6e; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Let's start with some questions. 1) What do we want to change? 2) What supports do we need to bring about this change? 3) What steps should we take to bring about the change? 4) How would we share the change?</span><span style="color: #5e5d6e; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="color: #5e5d6e; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #5e5d6e; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> It could be broken curb cut at the end of a sidewalk in a neighborhood, a lack of rides for social activities, no accessible bathrooms or menus at favorite restaurants, or no active </span><span style="color: #5e5d6e;">recruitment of applicants with disabilities for entry level jobs by <span style="caret-color: rgb(94, 93, 110);">employers. If we were all in a room together I know we could generate a list of what is needed to pull any of these off. Of course, we also could easily generate a list of action steps. All we need is the <u>will</u> to gather in a room and get to work.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5e5d6e;"> The conclusion I have reached is that anything is doable and a good thing is everyone's responsibility, not someone else's. We just need to have the collective will to do it. Now, here's the clincher. If we do commit and do pull something off we need to <u style="caret-color: rgb(94, 93, 110);">share it</u>. Why? Because if people see and hear about what we pulled off, they may be inclined to do the same thing or at least copy our strategies. And then, an effort to pull off one effort to begin an inclusive community becomes a TREND. Wow, how about that!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #5e5d6e; text-indent: -0.25in;"> L</span><u style="color: #5e5d6e; text-indent: -0.25in;">ocally-driven </u><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #5e5d6e;">efforts result in sustainable change and <span style="caret-color: rgb(94, 93, 110);">build confidence</span> to tackle bigger and bigger challenges that can impact national policy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #5e5d6e;"> Thank you,</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #5e5d6e;"> Common Grounder</span></span></div>
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</style>Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-91700898891307235422019-06-17T17:20:00.002-07:002019-09-27T16:51:36.757-07:00Self Determination, Choice, and Disability Rights<br />
Before a person with a disability can secure a place at a decision-making table to bring about change -- access, availability, and rights -- they need to be self determined in their own lives. Even with that they need choices from which to pick and a team helping them secure those choices. The process of becoming self determined and making choices in one own life, prepares a person with a disability contribute to decision-making in large contexts.<br />
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At the Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, my colleagues, Eric Folk, Bob Stodden, and Sean Nagamatsu, with funding from federal and state sources, are running three projects to help individuals with disabilities achieve success in postsecondary education. A key component of their work is to expose young people to the concept of self determination and apply its principles in their own lives. They define self determination as when an individual has the awareness, skills, and power to make the right decisions for themselves and their futures. They break down self determination into four things 1) knowing what you want, 2) regulating yourself to work for it, 3) believing and knowing you will succeed, and 4) finding partners and advocating for what you want.<br />
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Folk et al. train young people in how to be more self-aware; regulate their habits, actions, and thinking, that is be in control; introduce self-efficacy, that is aim high; practice self-advocacy; set goals ("a goal is a dream WITH A PLAN you will actually do"); engage in problem solving (identify a challenge, consider ways to address it, decide which way to address it, and then take action); be decision makers (identify options, consider each based on facts, and select the best option based on your goal, life vision, and situation).<br />
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Practicing these basic skills in one's own life prepares everyone to be meaningful contributors at decision making tables where access, availability, timing, supports, funding, staffing, and other key decisions are being made about community improvements in education, jobs, health care, housing, transportation, retail sectors, physical infrastructure, justice, elections, and use of leisure time.<br />
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Rights are words on paper. The UN disability rights treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, gives us a vibrant blueprint of what should be. But, it falls to us to bring these words to life. So many people with disabilities, especially in developing countries, in rural areas, and from disadvantaged groups, lack the opportunity to become the decision maker in their own lives, much less help shape what their communities or nations offer to be in sync with the UN treaty. We must find the ways and means to reach these people. First, we need to listen. Second, we need to help them with THEIR preferences, priorities, or goals. Third, we need to offer a process for reaching THEIR goal(s), a process that is translated into a local frame of reference. For example, we cannot demonstrate how to plan if a person or group have never heard of or done planning. Fourth, we need to explore with these people how to capture and preserve the evolution of their efforts -- dairies, story telling, records, and reports -- written and audiovisual -- that become a natural, acceptable extension of in-country traditions.<br />
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If we do all this with respect and patience, the right kind of attitudes, behaviors, and policies will blossom; communities will be more inclusive; and individuals with disabilities will help stitch the social fabric of their neighborhoods, towns, regions, nations and our collective history.<br />
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Thank you,<br />
Common Grounder<br />
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<br />Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-33443497001221084002019-06-16T17:28:00.001-07:002019-06-16T21:50:33.541-07:00Measuring the Status of Disability Rights There is modest support around the world for training individuals with disabilities, especially through disabled persons organizations (DPO‘s), to learn about and push for implementation of the UN Convention on Persons with Disabilities. Emphasis is given to sharing information, perhaps some role-playing exercises, but not much time or money is spent on tracking immediate, intermediate, and long-term impact of training. The answer is obvious. Impact evaluation is labor-intensive, time-consuming and expensive. So when we ask for money for yet another disability rights study/initiative, funders ask where is your evidence-based information? We may be able to provide numbers in some cases, but often all we have to make our case is case studies and anecdotes. This needs to change. We all have to get serious about compelling evidence and develop practical ways for collecting it.<br />
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One option might be to adapt the SMART Goals approach and use it to collect information on the status of disability rights. The “S” stands for specific, the “M” for measurable, the “A” for achievable, the “R” for relevant, and the “T” for timing. This rubric is all over the web. It is explained, used, and promoted in educational contexts usually.<br />
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In a disability rights context the “Specific” would be what do we want to measure; for example access, availability, inclusion, participation, independence, choice. Yet, we need to place these “ outcomes” in a situation — access to what, availability to what, inclusion in what, participation in what, independence connected to what, choice over what. “Measurable” to us would mean we could count something and compare it to a baseline or compare what we find across locations, populations, or environments. We could measure satisfaction, change in circumstances, degree of influence, or scope of change.<br />
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“Achievable” means first and foremost that we have a strategy(ies) to implement a goal AND measuring something AND the resources to do it. This component of a SMART goal is so important because if we do these things right we have the justification for sustainability and the foundation for replication by others.<br />
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“Relevant” is the key link to rights. Is what we are expressing, measuring, and achieving valued by the individual with a disability, groups of such individuals, their families, and society in general? We need to do pre-assessments on what we think is important by getting input from these several constituencies. This input will allow barriers and unexpected allies or partners to surface.<br />
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Of course, how much time we have to design, implement, and evaluate a SMART goal keeps us grounded and practical, and also makes us accountable. If we do what we said we are going to do by the time we said we were going to do and have compelling results to show for it, guess what — we have credibility, an army of supporters, a guide for others, and evidenced-based reasons for systems change.<br />
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As you think through the application of the SMART goal paradigm in a disability rights context, remember the five components are integral to each other. As you shape your approach to one component that may influence how you shape others.<br />
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We need to make measurement a central, integrated element of anything we do to advance disability rights. If we do, others, including governments, will take us more seriously, and accept or develop policies that make sense and are enforceable.<br />
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Thank you.<br />
<br />
Common GrounderCommon Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-26500390996290798962019-06-07T19:01:00.000-07:002019-06-11T17:33:51.556-07:00IT'S TIME FOR INCLUSIVE INFORMED DECISION-MAKING<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Individual Level. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The perspectives of an individual with disability, delivered
by that person at the right time, means that decision-making that affects that
individual, will be well-informed and result in positive outcomes, especially
related to quality of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There may be situations in which an individual cannot fully
represent the individual’s perspective at a decision-making event that will
affect the individual, because of age, communication facilitation, distance,
lack of accessible transportation, appropriate supports, risks, and other
factors. In these situations, policies are needed that outline what proxies,
services, and supports, including technology, will be provided so that the
individual’s perspective carries central weight in arriving at decisions that
will affect the individual.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Community Level.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Community decisions affect the nature of what community members
can expect and receive. People with disabilities need to be present when these
community decisions are being made. Community decisions are related to a
diverse variety of contexts – availability of housing, food and water,
education, health care, jobs, transportation, justice, voting, leisure
activities, and other elements of community living. Often community decision-making
events address if something is going to be promoted, increased, improved,
expanded or terminated, as well as the cost or savings involved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The “how to” part of a decision to be made can benefit from
the perspectives of individuals with disabilities; such as – where something is
to be placed, physical access to it, and ability to use it/participate in its
use with others; and when something happens, how frequently it happens, and for
how long it happens. Decisions like these require policies, so that community
expectations and what happens align. If individuals with disabilities play a
role in making these decisions and shaping policies related to them, the
outcomes for the entire community are enhanced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regional Level.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because of geography, race, language, religion, culture or
other factors, people may come together to live and/or make decisions that
affect large numbers of people beyond a particular community. Some decisions
are value-driven – who should be included vs. excluded, who should “represent”
a particular group, what are the assumptions underlying a particular value, and
who or what has the power to change things? At this level, if and how
individuals with disabilities are perceived – as an equal partner or something
less – will influence whether their perspectives are part of the process of
reaching decisions. If they are viewed as equal partners then decisions and
their outcomes are likely to benefit great numbers of people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">National Level<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the national level participation at decision-making
tables is pivotal. These decisions drive new policies and affect established
ones. These decisions are shaped by what bubbles up and trigger what trickles
down. Perspectives of individuals with disabilities, especially those coming
from their problem-solving experiences, help to build policies that can be
easily interpreted and practically implemented. Including these perspectives may
mean that what is decided will pay off in intended and unanticipated ways –
have positive economic implications, create new partnerships, and having
a positive view of the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">International Level</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the perspectives of individuals with disabilities are
included and valued at decision-making tables then more meaningful discussions
about what works, the importance of context, and judging of credibility within
the process of decision-making surface. Resulting decisions are more grounded
and people have more confidence in their feasibility and likely impact.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Intersectionality of
Levels of Participation by Individuals with Disabilities in Decision-making<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The inclusion of people with disabilities in decision-making
is not a “snap-your-fingers” kind of thing. It takes thoughtful conversations,
training, trial and error, and a full commitment to bringing it about. If an individual
can leave home and travel to a meeting in the community, many things must be in
place and work the right way first – personal care, transportation, and
appropriate supports. When this person is seen and heard in a community
decision-making meeting, things change. Others want to know how it happened.
Others hope and take actions so they can do the same thing. As more and more
people with disabilities are seen and heard at diverse decision-making tables
in the community, this fact and their participation at regional decision-making
tables becomes acceptable and natural. Behind them is what has been positively
impacted at the community level. They arrive at regional decision-making tables
with evidenced-based information. At the national level they have the same
opportunity – to drive policies that are evidenced-based. For example, this is
what we need in place to ensure educational opportunities, foster jobs, access
to voting, or appropriate treatment by the judicial system. The collective
experience of individuals with disabilities from across the globe brought about
the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the inclusion
of disability perspectives in the U.N.’s Sustainable Economic Development
Goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Questions Related to
Informed Inclusive Decision-Making<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order to bring about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inclusive,
Informed Decision-Making</i> at all levels we must ask ourselves six basic
questions – <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->What types of services, supports, and
accommodations must be available to an individual in order to leave home?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How do we bring about these services, supports,
and accommodations?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How do we measure the impact of making these services,
supports, and accommodations available?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How to we prepare and equip individuals with
disabilities to become contributors in decision-making settings?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->What do we need to know to bring this participation to new situations or the next level?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How do we measure the degree of participation in
decision-making by individuals with disabilities and measure its impact in
varied contexts?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we answer these questions we will be able to judge
whether participation of individuals with disabilities in decision-making is systemic, appropriately integrated into all components of decision-making processes,
and can be sustained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Thank you.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Common Grounder</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-75132022285116104342019-05-25T18:56:00.001-07:002019-05-27T17:20:15.925-07:00Sustainability of a Good Idea and Community Action PlansIn the social sciences a lot of terms are floating out there — person-centered planning, life cycle planning, self-determination, and many more. A common component of these terms, when it comes to a person with a disability, is the person’s direct involvement in decision making that affects him or her. This is driven by federal laws, regulations, and funding. Underlying this trend and federal push is years of experience and research that contrast what occurs when individuals with disabilities are and are not at the table when decisions are being made about them. Good things happen when they are involved and not so good things happen when they are not. The positive effect of their participation, their perspective and that of their advocates needs to be extended to tables where larger community decisions are being made.<br />
<br />
There is a lot going on in education these days. Central to these activities is the role of the school in the community. Two initiatives involve federal funding for Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFEC) and Full Service Community Schools (FSCS). The Office for Innovation and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education, where these grant programs were housed, recently has been merged with the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, so old links don't work. However, if you Google the grant names, you will be taken to the webpages for these two grant programs. We here in Hawaii have a Hawai‘i Family Engagement Center and have put in a proposal for a Full Service Community Schools grant. Underlying these two federal initiatives are requirements for collaboration from parents, employers, and community organizations. Included among the intended beneficiaries are children with disabilities. It is clear that these two initiatives are after structural change that will be sustainable. The question is how do we get there?<br />
<br />
It is clear that when you bring a diverse group together that can agree on a common goal, as demonstrated through “communities of practice”, amazing things can happen. Individuals are energize, empowered, and committed to achieving a consensus-driven outcome. But, what is also needed is a plan, strategies, resources, a way to judge progress, regroup, and share. Perhaps it’s time we coin one more phrase — a Community Action Plan — a CAP could be for an individual, a school, a neighborhood, a town, a region, or a state. It could focus on one thing like a transition plan for when a student leaves high school; a big thing like finding entry level jobs and promoting them or expanding early learning for three-and four-year olds; or a complicated thing like increasing the capacity of health care professionals to interact with and serve people with disabilities effectively, expanding supported living housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or expanding accessible public transportation.<br />
<br />
Doing any of this will not be easy. Any group will need to have at the table — people who can help articulate the goal; people who know what strategies are likely to work or who can bring an expert in to advise the group; people who have or can find funding and develop a budget; people who can shape and carry out progress evaluation; and people who can craft messages and inspire partnership among implementers.<br />
<br />
If every community of practice or group recognizes that it not only must agree on a common goal, but develop a CAP for it, then it is more likely it will achieve its goal and sustain the goal’s longevity and provide a replication guide for those with similar interests.<br />
<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />
Common Grounder<br />
<br />
<br />Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-78940403518864130812019-05-22T15:04:00.002-07:002019-05-22T15:06:09.770-07:00Quality of Life and Disability Rights: A Complex IntersectionBrushing one's teeth is a common occurrence. A person decides when and how often to do it, how long to do it, how much force to use, what method to use, whether to go electric or stay manual, how much force to use, and what toothpaste to use. If the person is a very young child or a person with significant disabilities, someone else may brush or supervise brushing. If the individual were three or five years old, she may care less about toothbrushing. The child will comply or tolerate supervision. At some point she learns that it is important and makes toothbrushing part of her daily routine. If the person has a significant disability and must depend on another person for toothbrushing, the tooth brusher may assume, since <u>he is doing it</u>, he decides when, how often, how long, how much force, what method, type of brush and toothpaste to use. So even with something as basic as toothbrushing, the element of rights comes into play. If the tooth brusher is "in charge" of toothbrushing decisions, what else is he in charge of?<br />
<br />
Disability rights, making sure they are respected, may be the last human rights frontier we need to face. People with disabilities need to be at every decision making table to offer their perspectives on social, economic, and legal justice. But first, they must be offered a quality of life that allows them to make choices about how they brush their teeth. If they are not exposed to options and an opportunity to indicate preferences in matters of daily living, if they are not seen and participate in the whole range of social interactions others experience in the community, and if they are not given the chance to negotiation and compromise on equal terms with others, <u>they will not be able to be a meaningful player at the decision making table</u>.<br />
<br />
Our solutions are not just to teach people with disabilities about their rights but to reshape the thinking of those who support, educate. and interact with them. We don't know what we don't know. Each of us -- both disabled or not yet -- needs to be shown how to respect rights and practice inclusion. It's not going to just happen without intervention. It is a progression. It must evolve, influenced by religious, cultural, ethnic, and familial factors.<br />
<br />
Those of us who think we know what disability rights are and know how to teach them must recognize that in certain situations we may need to start with toothbrushing. We must work with the tooth brusher and the person whose teeth are being brushed by someone else. If we can build in the elements of choice, preference, negotiation, and compromise into the daily routine of tooth brushing, we can transfer consideration of these factors to other situations and build a common understanding of disability rights among people with disabilities, their families, outside care givers, governmental agencies, and policy makers.<br />
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As we all work to promote inclusive societies, here in the U.S. and elsewhere, let us be mindful that we should resist the temptation to parachute in with a solution that we are convinced will work. First, we must establish credibility and trust on the ground with individuals with disabilities, families, and community leaders. Second, we must work to improve the quality of life for the individual with a disability. And then, third, we can secure all the right people at the table and begin to pursue capacity building through education and systems change through transformative policy development to achieve sustainable evidence of disability rights.<br />
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There is a lot of work out there that needs to be done in educating people about disability rights and inclusive societies. Lets be thoughtful, patient, and smart as we go about it.<br />
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Thank you.<br />
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Common GrounderCommon Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5654100548468406256.post-53578352373859277812018-12-10T17:00:00.000-08:002018-12-10T17:00:45.311-08:00Closing Remarks at the USICD Fundraising GalaAloha,<br />
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I was unable to attend the fundraising gala of the United States International Council on Disabilities on December 6th, but sent along some remarks. I hope after you read my remarks you will consider giving a year-end donation to USICD and/or joining it.<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">CLOSING REMARKS</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Patricia Morrissey</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">President</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">United States International Council on Disabilities</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Gala</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">December 6, 2018</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">It was fitting that you observed a moment of silence to honor our 41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush. I had the honor to work on his second presidential campaign in 1992. He was, perhaps, the last president to see the real connection between international peace and domestic harmony. I suspect everyone here tonight understands the importance of that connection. It is based on simple universal principles.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Support for meaningful inclusion</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Promotion of sustained engagement</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Respect for locally driven decision making</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Commitment to building empowerment, capacity, and system change</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">And most of all, protection of all human rights</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">I know that in 2019 you will make a renewed push and help the U.S. International Council on Disabilities in its advocacy, convening, and training to demonstrate these principles in action.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">When you do -</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Parents will no longer be separated from their children </span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">All children will live within a family</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Pathways and doors, and what is beyond them, will be accessible and welcoming</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Supports and services will be truly person-centered and -directed</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Opportunities to contribute will be redefined and limitless</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">The last time I saw George Bush I had my picture taken with him. I </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">had lost an earring and my hair was falling down. When friends later saw the picture they said, "It looks like the President was holding you up and you just got out of bed." The first statement was true. This is what the President said to me. "Pat, thanks for helping me. Each of us has a job to do. Each job is important. Remember everyone is a potential ally or resource. Together we can make the world a better place for all. We did the ADA, when they thought we wouldn't or couldn't. We can bring it around the world."</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">He's right. It is happening. Help the U.S. International Council on Disabilities reach further, reach more, build bridges, strengthen connections, and THRIVE in its promotion of disability rights.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Thank you.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;">Aloha from Hawaii.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br />
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<br />Common Grounderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298131390437860437noreply@blogger.com0