Fresh Perspectives

20 Years after ADA

Today is the 20 year anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Although this isn’t a perfect law, it has succeeded in putting the issues about disability center-stage.

In writing the Fresh Perspectives blog, I do lots of research.  I sometimes like to read an article or book concerning matters I know I disagree with, yet, I try to read them with the “mind of a beginner”.  I did this with a controversial book called “Make Them Go Away” by Mary Johnson.  Clint Eastwood and Christopher Reeves have their pictures on the cover, and the book touts the inherent problems with the ADA.  The focus of the book is that the ADA should not be a civil right law, and the people with disabilities do in fact need help, not a law.

I read the book with an open mind, and it did in fact show me some of the flaws in the ADA legislation.  Then, I thought back to 1960.  I was 5 years old then, and I saw a ward of kids with Muscular Dystrophy.  In 1960, people with disabilities weren’t part of the community, were considered “abnormal” and were pitied, and most were institutionalized.  People generally weren’t receptive to those who were different, and people with disabilities were separated from the community at large.  Separatism for both minorities and people with disabilities were the norm. 

The questions I pose to you are this; if separatism isn’t a civil rights issue, then what is?  How can the ADA NOT be a civil rights law?  From where I sit, it is and it should be! 

Having grown up in the 1960’s, I have memories of feeling broken and abnormal.  I have those memories because I walked differently and was treated differently.  Now, some 50 years later, although I use a wheelciair, I am part of the community at large.  And since ADA in 1990, opportunities for PWD are greater than any time in our history. 

Understanding is the key, and the ADA has promoted understanding exponentially. Yet, there is so much more to do. The ADA isn’t perfect by any means.  It is a work in progress.

Together we can, and do, make a difference!
 

Outstanding Book

I just finished reading “Love Leadership, The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World” by John Hope Bryant.  John is the founder and CEO of Operation Hope, a non-profit organization which helps people   attain a better quality of life through financial literacy and personal dignity.  This is one of the most inspiring and timely books I’ve read in some time!

John outlines 5 ideas which shape Love Leadership.

Loss Creates Leaders
Fear Fails
Love Makes Money
Vulnerability is Power
Giving is Getting

We live in a world where capitalism has earned a bad reputation.  Much of the economic turmoil we are experiencing came from excess greed and an attitude that what’s in it for me trumps what’s in it for us.  John shows the real difference between fear-based leadership and love-based leadership.  His book reinforces that capitalism is not predatory by nature, and that good capitalism actually can propel the human spirit.

As I said in my previous post, we are not in an economic cycle, rather an economic reset.  Our world is changing and the old ways of doing things simply won’t work.  John Hope Bryant’s book offers a different way of looking at American capitalism…..actually a new way of looking at the world.  John’s 5 ideas may seem counter-intuitive, but they are based on integrity and love; and they work!  His true-life examples of CEOs who lead based on love rather than fear are plentiful and convincing.   His own life experiences are engaging and convincing as well.

This book is a must read for everyone.  And the timing of this book couldn’t be better!

Independent Living - Choice!

When I tell people I live independently, they sometimes say "But you need help doing things.  How is that independent living"?  My reply to them is "Don't you sometimes need help doing things"?  Independent living isn't about help with activities, it is about choice!  The freedom to choose how, when and where we get our assistance is at the core of independent living.

Community-based living means that people with disabilities can live, interact and receive attendant care services while remaining in their home.  So when Pennsylvania legislators talk about cutting those attendant care services which I depend on in order to work, they are taking away my right to live independently.  The funds needed for these programs are not charity.  Matter of fact, more funds need to be directed away from nursing facilities and toward much less expensive community-based living programs. 

So remember, independent living isn't about circumstance, it is about choice.

Short-Sighted Government

Here is a letter to the editor I just released to the local paper.  I've heard it said "You don't know how good a teabag is until you dip it in hot water".  Pennsylvania legislators find themselves in the middle of a budget crisis.  Let's see what they are really made of!

Counterproductive Cuts

 

The state legislature will be considering SB 850 as a means to cut costs.  Part of that bill would eliminate the Act 150 attendant care program for people with disabilities.  That’s one of the programs that helps me and other people with disabilities remain in the community, and in many cases, in the workforce as well.  As part of the workforce, we pay taxes into the system.  It is unconscionable to eliminate programs that keep people with disabilities participating at the community level.  The alternatives are much more costly not just in terms of money, but in negative impact on the community.  The act 150 program is not charity!  As people with disabilities, all we want is the same opportunities as everyone else.

 

I would remind our legislators not to be short-sighted while addressing this budgetary crisis.  The Act 150 attendant care program doesn’t represent dollars spent, it’s an investment!

 

Michael Sporer, Board President

Northeast PA Center for Independent Living

Win/Win Borrowing and Lending

While exploring the IDEO website, I linked to an interesting approach to borrowing and lending.  Zopa acts as the facilitator of transactions between lenders and borrowers.

This approach brings integrity back into the game.  Maybe it is now time to stop treating the financial markets with band aids and make systemic change.  Creativity doesn't have to stop during tough financial times.  Matter of fact, that's when we need it most!

Climate Change

An article in todays new York Times talks about the Kyoto Protocol which is aimed at curbing carbon emissions world-wide.  The US is poised to be a central figure in new efforts to combat global warming.  This time around, financial mechanisms will be stressed, and developing countries like China won't get a pass. 

We live in difficult times, and the challenges are enormous.  This is worth reading!

Message of Hope

Now this is a cool video.....

The Pickens Plan

The Pickens Plan is about the United States dramatically reducing its dependence on foreign oil. It is a common sense energy plan.

Now, Pickens has some vital support from people like Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Check out this video.

Disgrace!

In northeastern Pennsylvania, a corruption case involving 2 Luzerne County judges became news on January 26, 2009.  Hard to believe but true!  Check it out.

A Lesson in Ego

I ran across this video while on Toyota's main website.  It is Toyota's President Katsuaki Watanabe’s address at TMC’s year-end press conference on December 25th, 2007. 

My research of Toyota has really opened my eyes to their sincere commitmet to make the world a better place to live.  But what impresses me most is Wantabe's mentality of service that really shows in his speech.  Compare that to the demeanor of the GM executives who flew on corporate jets to Washington to ask for a bailout of their company.  Compare that to the audacity of mortgage brokers who greedily took advantage of homeowners.  Watch and see if you don't agree.

And thanks to Matt May for pointing me to the Toyota website.  For me, it provided a message of hope.