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The paradox is here: when cultivated people do stay away from a certain portion of the population, when all social advantages are persistently withheld...the result itself is pointed to as a reason and is used an argument for the continued withholding. Jane AddamsEducators . . . Pastors and Rabbis . . . Therapists . . . Service Providers . . . Community Leaders . . . Employers . . . And many others may have great influence over the lives of children and adults with disabilities, and their families. Such professionals can promote the inclusion and self-reliance of people with disabilities, or their actions can contribute to the segregation and helplessness of people with disabilities. As a professional, how will you use your influence?
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And check out the Your Stories section for valuable real-life experiences!
Looking for a specific article? Click here to go to the Explore/Home page; midway down the page you'll find an alphabetical listing of all articles.
Some of the articles below are also found in other sections on this site; they're grouped together on this page due to their relevance to professionals and organizations. Please visit the other Explore sections for a wider variety of articles that can lead to positive change. Enjoy these new ways of thinking!
Amazing Grace
When a young girl named Grace spontaneously danced in church to "her song," she lifted the spirits of those around her. Her mom details the intentional actions taken to make the church more inclusive for all.
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Bureaucracies are designed to perform public business. But as soon as a bureaucracy is established, it develops an autonomous spiritual life and comes to regard the public as its enemy.
Brooks Atkinson
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Dear Teachers and IEP Team Members
If you're a special ed director, principal, general or special ed teacher, school psychologist, therapist of any kind, or serve in any other professional capacity on an IEP (Individualized Education Program) Team, this is for you.
Dental Patient by Roy Gerstenberger
In this eye-opening article, a human services agency director ponders the relationship between people with disabilities and the service system, and asks some important questions for us to consider.
Disability Business
The idea of "services" warms the cockles of many hearts: "recipients" may be grateful for the help and "providers" may be proud of their efforts. This is a view from afar; up close, things may look differently.
Disability-Industrial Complex
Long ago, President Eisenhower warned about the "military-industrial complex." Should we also be concerned about the "disability-industrial complex" that impacts so many lives?
Do Disability Organizations Presume Competence?
Many organizations claim to represent the interests of children and adults with disabilities. But they may also operate in ways that perpetuate the presumed incompetent paradigm of people with disabilities. It's time for self-examination! (See two other "Presume Competence" articles in the New Attitudes section.)
Employment: Who's Talking the Talk, But Not Walking the Walk?
From coast to coast, many human service agencies exist to help people with disabilities, and they share a common mantra: "People with disabilities should work, live, and play in the community." They talk the talk, but do they walk the walk?
Evolution of Amy
Amy is a college student in the therapeutic arena who first learned one way of thinking, then learned a different way. She evolved during the process, and the lessons she shares are moving, powerful, and a cause for great hope!
First, Do No Harm
"First, do no harm," is a sentiment we're familiar with. On a regular basis, we work diligently to help children and/or adults with disabilities. But in the process, is it possible we could also be causing harm?
From "Doing" to "Being" — A New Therapeutic Paradigm
Amazing therapists at the University of Oklahoma are making history and creating positive changes. Here's one quote from this powerful interview: "Traditionally, we've focused on a hands-on approach to get a person ‘doing.' But we feel it's more helpful to use a person's hopes and dreams and focus on a person ‘becoming' and ‘being.' What could be more important than that?"
Going for the Gold: Self-Employment
Yes, the American Dream of being your own boss is a real option for people with disabilities. Dreams can become the reality!
Human Services Agency GIVES Grant Money
Most human services agencies only receive money; this one gives it to promote inclusion! Could your agency do the same?
"I Don't Know"
Three little words—“I don't know"—could have a profound and positive effect on the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families. They could prevent the death of dreams, equalize relationships, open up worlds of possibilities, and much more!
The New (and Improved) Therapeutic Landscape
Emerging practices are changing the landscape of traditional physical, occupational, speech, and other "developmental" therapies. In pockets here and there, children and adults with developmental disabilities are no longer seen as "broken" or in need of a "cure."
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Some [charities] may have been started with truly beneficent intentions, but even these finally give way to a pragmatism that shifts focus away from "helping the poor" and toward sustaining the institutions. These dual objectives come increasingly to be at odds.
Theresa Funiciello
"Tyranny of Kindness"
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On Becoming a Business Owner
Yes, people with disabilities can become self-employed business owners, and employment guru Cary Griffin details extraordinary experiences and effective strategies in this interview.
People as Precious Commodities
They're not listed on the stock exchange, but children and adults with disabilities constitute a precious commodity: they are, unfortunately, the raw material of a gargantuan human services industry.
Public Images vs. Personal Self-Esteem
Many organizations work hard on behalf of people with disabilities. But could their public relations efforts have a negative impact on the individuals they say they serve?
Reinventing DD Agencies
Some human services agencies flounder; others have reinvented themselves and are thriving. The keys to success include collaboration and thinking ouside the box!
Religion and Disability: Are All Welcome?
In theory, churches and synagogues would seem to be havens of inclusion. In practice, many are not. Check out the strategies that can ensure all are welcome!
Discover other valuable articles on these pages:
Newsletter Library
People First Language
New Attitudes
Language-Communication
Strategies for All
Children-Families-Education
©2009-12 Kathie Snow, www.disabilityisnatural.com
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