50th Anniversary Luncheon a Superb Celebration

We held a 50^th celebration event at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club yesterday and it was a very positive event.  George Le Masurier was our emcee for the event and did a masterful job of introducing Ralph Munro.  Ralph was honored for his contribution to assisting individuals with disabilities not only at Morningside but throughout the entire state.  Ralph was a former Morningside board member recounted his experience in raising funds for our building on Ethel Street.   He told of Percy Bean tearing up a $200 check and told to meet with the woman who gave it to Ralph, Al Brooks and Jerry Buzzard and say she needs to contribute more money.  She thought about it for a minute and wrote a check for $500.  Up to that point in the local fundraising effort a very small portion of the $15,000 match money was raised so every dollar was valuable.  Well they raised the match and the rest was history. 

His story points to how the Olympia community came together to support Morningside.  I tell local business owners and friends how fortunate we are to live in a community that is so supportive and accepting.

Hidden Disablity Quandary

In September my friend Sara shared the article link below on Facebook from the New York Times.  Sara is a wonderful woman who lives and works in a very supportive community in Chicago.  Sara also happens to have a disability labeled Epilepsy.  Sara confided that she does not reveal her disability when hired but only after she is offered the job does she talk with the employer about limitations she has.  It certainly flies in the face of the ADA (Americans with Disability Act) which says that a person must not be discriminated against if they can do the job with reasonable accommodations. 

I often speculate if we can lump employer fear, doubt, preconceived bias as a “reasonable accommodation” to take into account when hiring an individual with a disability?  Will we ever overcome this fear?

Yesterday I had the opportunity to present the Office of Governor Inslee with an Outstanding Employer award from our state association Community Employment Alliance (CEA).  We nominated the Governor’s office because of how supportive they are and how they have included our client in their family.  The Governor’s Office was one of approximately 15-20 employers receiving such an award.  What I heard repeatedly from this throng of employers was how positive the experience was even when they were doubtful at first to hire an individual with a developmental disability.  I wish I could bottle all the positive statements up and when someone expresses doubt unscrew the lid and unleash a little bit of this enthusiasm to convince the skeptic to just try it.

Unfortunately most of the clients we serve do not wish to disclose their disability – they have had too many experiences whereby someone has immediately closed the door before it could be opened.

Here is a link to the article:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/business/quandary-of-hidden-disabilities-conceal-or-reveal.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2

The Conversation Heats Up!

Recently the NBC news program Rock Center with Brian Williams aired a story about the Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA) 14 C provision that allows individuals with disabilities to earn less than the federal minimum wage.  The story focused on Goodwill Industries International and their use of the provision to pay individuals with disabilities as little as $ .22 per hour while top executives in the organization make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.  This story isn’t new but it has now garnered a wider national audience.

For the past several years disability advocacy groups have been pushing for the repeal of the FLSA 14 C provision.  The leading professional group APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First), of which we are a member, strongly supports its repeal.  Organizations that want to keep the legislation, such as Goodwill, operate sheltered workshops.  This may be why NBC’s coverage was directed at Goodwill.  But Goodwill is not alone.  Other groups such as NISH (soon to be known as Source America) have also tried to squelch the chatter since sheltered workshops are the primary vocational service delivery system in the United States for individuals with developmental disabilities.  I am proud to interject that this isn’t the case in Washington State as I have previously discussed in this blog.  Morningside not only closed our sheltered workshop years ago but we are leading the pack when it comes to finding jobs for individuals with significant disabilities in community jobs.

In the interest of full disclosure, we are also an authorized employer under the FLSA 14 C provision and we have a small NISH contract with the Federal government managed out of our Port Angeles office.  However, the difference is that we have made the affirmative decision not renew our Federal Special Wage Certificate when it expires in early 2015.  We base this decision on our belief that people with disabilities have the right and ability to work in the same jobs earning the same wages as nondisabled workers.

The heart of the matter is justice.  We believe that section 14(c) is wrong.  What is fair, what is right is that individuals should be working in regular jobs in the community.  APSE states it very well:  Section 14 C sets low expectations and encourages a misguided sense of the capacities of individuals with disabilities, who could succeed in integrated work settings with the appropriate assistance and supports. Current research-based best practice indicates that the vast majority of individuals with disabilities who want to work can be found a competitive position at regular wages through the use of customized and supported employment strategies. Sub-minimum wage is at odds with national disability policy (particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act and IDEA), which have made it clear that public policies should view disability as a natural part of human experience that in no way limits a person’s right to fully participate in all aspects of life.

We don’t want to limit anyone from achieving their dream of working in the community so let’s work to end this practice!

To view the Rock Center story click on this link:  http://www.nbcnews.com/video/rock-center/52280748#52280748

Important Law Suit

“Federal jury in Iowa awards $240 million to the 32 mentally disabled adults” was the headline from the Des Moines Register a few months ago. 

The award was the result of a case against Henry’s Turkey Service.  The case highlighted the abuse that this company did toward individuals with disabilities and as a result of this abuse once again sparked conversation about the relevancy of the Fair Labor and Standards Act 14 ( C ) program. 

The National Disability Rights Network, is the nonprofit membership organization for the Protection and Advocacy System for Individuals with disabilities produced a paper “Segregated and Exploited – A call to Action!” that used as a case study the atrocities that occurred at Henry’s Turkey Service in Atalissa, Iowa.  The story of the workers at Henry’s Turkey Service, a meat processing plant in Iowa, is an appalling example of the abuse that can happen when workers with disabilities are segregated and sheltered away from others.  Henry’s “shipped in” 60 men from Texas where they worked and lived in the company run bunkhouse.  Henry’s paid them an average of $.41 an hour and the individuals also had to pay for their room and board at the bunkhouse – leaving them with only $65 at the end of the month. 

The bunkhouse was a 106 year-old cockroach infested, unheated abandoned school converted to a bunkhouse that had boarded up windows and a cracked foundations.  The residents paid $600 per month in rent for use of the tax-free bunkhouse. 

 A federal jury ruled that Henry’s Turkey Service violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when they paid 32 mentally disabled workers only $65 per month for their full time work on the turkey processing line.

"I'm very pleased the jury made such a powerful statement," said Ruby Moore, a national disability rights advocate based in Georgia. "People around the country are absolutely aware of this case. It has unveiled some of the horrendous practices faced by people with disabilities."

The National Disability Rights Network made a series of policy recommendations included in their position paper.

What I think was the take-away was their conclusion.  It reads:

“Many people working in support of segregated and sheltered work don’t think there is another way. In fact, there is. Thirty years ago no one believed there was another option for people with disabilities but to live in large, state-run institutions. The belief was they could never care for themselves; they were too vulnerable or made people too uncomfortable to live among people without disabilities. But soon we saw these human warehouses for what they were and in state after state institutions closed, and now millions of people with disabilities are living, successfully, in their communities. They evolved and adapted and showed us they are more than we believed, as did the rest of the country who recognized the value of having friends and neighbors with disabilities. We witnessed lives changing.

The same can happen in the workplace. Sheltered workshops are just another institution segregating our neighbors away because of our unwillingness to accept that our own preconceived ideas about the workplace might be wrong. It’s time to do things differently.”

Well we agree.  It is time that we in this nation examine the practice of sheltered employment and paying below the minimum wage.  We believe everyone should be working in the community. 

No Stinkin' Handout Please!

I know I’ve mentioned my son, Andrew, in my blog before.  Andrew is a 17 year old junior in high school and a person with a disability – he is missing his left arm.  Andrew has taught me so much about the determination of someone who has physical challenges.  He simply does not let it get in the way of living an exciting and extremely fulfilling life.

A couple of weeks ago at his high school advisory meeting, Andrew and I met with his advisor to review plans for his upcoming senior year.  Andrew has signed up for New Market Skills Center’s Culinary Program.  New Market is a consortium of several school districts through ESD 113 to teach a variety of skills to high school students ranging from Alternative Energy Technology to Pre-Veterinary Technician training.  Andrew chose Culinary Arts since he has had a dream for a few years of becoming a chef.  So he signed up for the program.  In my opinion Andrew’s love of food comes more from the consumption not necessarily the creation or preparation of it!  But he does love to demonstrate to me how he has learned to flip food in a skillet with the flick of his wrist after watching his favorite chefs on the Food Network.  While he was out of the room I asked his advisor if she thought this was a good move for Andrew.  She pointed out that Andrew is amazing and if anyone could be a chef with only one arm it would be him.  Still I must admit I have my doubts about his ability to do the job.  I am not going to rain on his parade but I have talked to him about a Plan B.  Frankly I think he would be really good in marketing or sales.  I have seen him coax money from some pretty challenging people.  He was the only one of our four kids who consistently scoured the neighborhood for annual school or sports fund drives.

He and I didn’t talk much about this meeting afterward.  However Andrew is taking drivers’ education and he takes advantage of any chance to practice driving with me.  I enjoy the company and quite frankly it gives me a choice opportunity to talk with him about things that we normally wouldn’t talk about.  I am a firm believer that a parent must use all tools available to them to connect with their kids.

I didn’t talk to him about becoming a chef but thought post high school planning was a good subject.  In the past Andrew has indicated he wanted to go to South Puget Sound Community College to attend their culinary program then to Le Cordon Bleu's Seattle program rounding out his education in the culinary arts.

I mentioned to him that he needs to make application to DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) this fall when he turns 18.  Of course he didn’t know what I was even talking about so I explained that this was a federally funded program that assists individuals with disabilities in determining their career and then offering training and placement to make their vocational dream a reality. His response was quick.  He stated  he was proud and didn’t need any handout.  I think his exact sentence was “I don’t need no stink’in handout”.  He was incredulous at the thought that throughout his whole life he had fought to not make his disability a way to gain advantage or favor and now his Dad was suggesting he take something for free, a handout in his mind, which indicated he was some “poor handicapped person”  with his cup out asking for a donation.

This young man often surprises me with his insight and views.  I am so proud of his determination and drive.  I admire his determination and desire to be "normal" and not viewed as a poor person taking handouts with palm extended.  I am also amazed he doesn’t want to take advantage of a program I am so familiar with and have seen so many people have realize their dream through this amazing program.  But we have many more drives before he gets his license which will afford me more opportunities to continue the conversation.

The real question that remains is if members of the younger disability community through integrated schools, programs etc. don’t view themselves as a “special needs” population then how do we reach out and connect with them as they graduate?  Have we reached, or are we reaching, the next stage where our society is fully integrated to the point we won't need any affirmative programs to help those who for so many years have been excluded?  Unfortunately, at present at least, employment statistics don’t bear this out.

U.S. Department of Justice Joins Lawsuit Against State of Oregon

It amazes me how people, programs, things develop.  There are whole disciplines that study both organizational and human development and still it's confusing.  What confounds me is how differently things can develop even when they are in close proximity.  If you heard my sister and me share stories from our childhood you would undoubtedly think we grew up in different families!   I am taken aback that Washington and Oregon are so vastly different in our approach to individuals with disabilities working in integrated jobs in the community.  So different that it was announced at a news conference Monday the U.S. Department of Justice has joined a class-action lawsuit filed last year by people with disabilities against Gov. John Kitzhaber and the State of Oregon.  The suit demands changes to the sheltered workshop system in Oregon.  Conversely, Washington is by far the national leader ensuring individuals who are developmentally disabled are working in jobs in the community.  (See post on Wednesday, May 9, 2012).

How can it be that one state is getting sued by the Federal Government for providing sheltered services with no choice and the state that shares its border, economy, and lifestyle is receiving acclaim for individuals working in the community with a broad array of choices?  I believe the difference is focus.  My Uncle Art, who worked in the Washington DVR system, always told his staff to “keep your eye on the client”.  His sage words were passed on down through the system and heeded by most.  Fixing our focus on the person and what they want to do means not losing sight of the goal.  Indeed, in my opinion, this is the key. 

What I appreciate about Morningside staff is that they do focus on the person with a disability - each and every day.  That is why we closed our sheltered workshop because by an overwhelming majority our clients wanted to work in the community.  Focus is also why we enjoy the position of being the best in the state at serving our clients in jobs in the community, even those who require the most support. 

When I have the opportunity to meet with clients at their job or event I am always so pleased to hear how much the job means to them.  The conversation is so much more positive and, well, normal.  When I visit a worksite to award an employer our Outstanding Employer Award, there is such a definite sense of pride, accomplishment and self-worth as I congratulate the employee on a job well done!

If indeed a person with a disability in a sheltered workshop has not been exposed to another work environment it is incumbent upon us, the professionals, to assist them in seeing the possibilities away from their current environment and integrated with their neighbors and fellow citizens.   Frankly, the support, connection, and interaction are much more positive in a community job than a sheltered workshop job – and I know this from experience. 

So the solution that may sound too simplistic is rather simple “keep your eye on the client” to ensure they have the same opportunities as everyone else.

For more information on the lawsuit here is an article in The Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/04/us_department_of_justice_accus.html

"A 'Good Enough' Dad and His Special Son"

My radio listening habit is what I would call rather eclectic and the genre largely depends upon the time of day and what I am doing.  In the morning I wake up to NPR and on Friday they broadcast a story that has been recorded for StoryCorps, a short vignette, typically a family or friend talking to each other recounting life experiences.  A couple of weeks ago I heard this story and it moved me.  I could identify myself in this conversation from various viewpoints; from a father with a son who has a disability, from the viewpoint a son going off to college for the first time and as a person who has worked with individuals with disabilities for many years now.  This story is very typical of many of the individuals we have the pleasure of working with each day.

This is a story about a restaurant called Tim's Place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's named after Tim Harris, a young man with Down syndrome who started the business in 2010 with help from his dad, Keith.

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/15/174328613/a-good-enough-dad-and-his-special-son

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. 

How connected am I?

I am fairly certain that most of us at one time or another think we have a good grasp of the situation or feel we are connected or we may even think we have talent but then our shortcoming is pointed out either rather abruptly, rudely or through closer self-reflection.   I am stunned by the musically challenged people that think they can sing and appear on “American Idol” and are shocked when the judges tell them they can’t carry a tune. 

At times I think I am plugged into the disability movement through my connections and feeds I get for blogs and other news sources and then I read something only to find out that something has been out there for a while and I tell myself “Whoa were did that come from?”

I had been reading about changes to the DSM (look at last month’s blog) and I missed this.

This piece was published in Disability Scoop.

“After Criticism, DSM Committee Changes Course” by Michelle Diament

"Experts behind the new version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders didn’t back down on major changes to the definition of autism, but appear to have made an about-face when it comes to intellectual disability.

Initial plans to revise the diagnosis of “mental retardation” in the forthcoming fifth edition of the psychiatric manual called for the condition to be renamed “intellectual developmental disorder.” Critics blasted the proposal because it was inconsistent with the more commonly accepted term “intellectual disability” which has already been adopted in many federal and state laws.

Now it appears that the American Psychiatric Association heard the complaints. In newly-released documents, officials from the psychiatrists’ group stopped short of revealing the final text for the manual, but now say the version slated for publication in May will replace “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability.” The move is an effort to align with the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the U.S. Department of Education and other groups, the psychiatric association said.

The new term with be appended with a notation about “intellectual developmental disorder” in order to be congruent with language expected in an upcoming revision of the International Classification of Diseases, or ICD, a guide to diseases and disorders published by the World Health Organization.

“I’m really pleased that at least in the United States we won’t have a conflict in terminology,” said Margaret Nygren, executive director and CEO of AAIDD, who objected to the psychiatric association’s initial plan.

The new DSM will also bring changes to the criteria for the diagnosis of intellectual disability, with less emphasis on a person’s specific IQ score and more consideration for clinical assessment.

“The updated criteria will help clinicians develop a fuller, more accurate picture of patients, a critical step in providing them with effective treatment and services,” according to a fact sheet released by the psychiatric organization.

The alterations to the "mental retardation" diagnosis came largley in the shadow of changes to the way that autism is defined withing the DSM.  Despite significant criticism, those behind the new version of the manual did not waiver on plans to eliminate Aspergers's syndrome and fold it as well as childhood disintegrative disorder and persasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified under the umbrella term "autism spectrum disorder."

 

Schools Directed to Provide Sports for Students with Disabilities.

I just heard today driving to work listening to NPR that the Department of Education is creating a Title 9 program for individuals with disabilities in publically funded schools.  This is absolutely cool.  Please read the NPR news spot. 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=170229198

This is indeed great news. 

 

It’s here….

Well the legislative session is upon us and before it comes out of the gate we hear “Olympia we have a problem”.  The Senate is now run by a new coalition.

Here is an excerpt from The Olympian article written by Brad Shannon and Jordan Schrader “Washington’s Legislature opened its 105-day session Monday with a bit of friction in the Senate but few fireworks.

Two Democrats defected from their party as expected, joining 23 Republicans to vote themselves into power in the state Senate. The group elevated one of the rebels, Rodney Tom of Medina, to the top post of majority leader and the other, Tim Sheldon of Potlatch, to the largely honorary position of president pro tempore.

They aren’t the only Democrats who will play roles in the new-look Senate. Members of the new minority will keep control of two committees, and Des Moines Sen. Tracey Eide will share power atop the influential panel that writes the state transportation budget.

“I think the Majority Coalition Caucus is a great opportunity for like-minded legislators of both parties – regardless of party – to work together,” said Sheldon, who will preside over Senate floor sessions in the absence of Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, himself a former 35th District conservative Democrat who bucked his party in the 1980s while in the Legislature.

Sheldon said the coalition is a “new model” for lawmakers. “So many people that are partisan to the core want this effort to fail. And I’d like to prove them wrong,’’ he said.

Other Democrats described the new power structure as a “coup,” a “show-trial,” or “bipartisanship in name only.”

Well I guess we will need to see what develops over the 105 day session that needs to develop a 2013-2015 state budget and fill a 2 billion dollar hole given a shortfall and the Supreme Court education decision that directs the state to “fully fund” K-12 public education. 

Amongst all this people with disabilities want to be heard.  In January is the 23^rd “The Community of People with Disabilities of Washington State Legislative Reception”.   The Reception is a way to meet with your legislators and network with many people you may know or not.  Hint before the reception you can call your legislators and invite them to the Reception that is a great way to start your relationships with your legislators.  The date is January 23^rd from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Leg building Columbia Room.