'Happy VALUE Day!' - Labor Day

Hi-5!


'Happy VALUE Day!' on this  Labor Day!  

Will you enjoy the 128th Labor Day Parade?

How are you celebrating this Labor Day?

Do you know the history behind the Labor Day Holiday?  Learn about Labor Day at this link from the U.S. Department of Labor http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm .

What month is the National Disability Employment Awareness Month?
How are you acknowledging  the services, work, expertise and dedication of our labor force who are also a part of the disabilities community?

Do you know of a company or organization that primarily hire individuals with disabilities?

Do you know of a company or organization that targets people with developmental disabilities as employees because of their expert skill-level?

What accommodations and/or modifications does your company or organization provide in their efforts to serve staff, faculty, and clients/customers with disabilities?

Do you know that there are federal, state and local government agencies that assist with ensuring, enforcing and helping individuals with disabilities to become gainfully employed?

How are you showing your appreciation for companies and organizations that employ individuals with disabilities?

For more information on the connection between the labor force and people with disabilities, view the following links:

'Happy VALUE Day!' on this 128th Labor Day!

ENJOY!

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• Table 1. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by disability status and selected characteristics, 2009 annual (Economic News Release - Bureau of Labor Statistics,USDOL) http://www.bls.gov/news.release/disabl.t01.htm
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Voice Your Choice - No More Use of the "R" word!

Hi5!

Now that's progressive!

OMRDD is now OPWDD (New York)

"The state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is now the Office For People With Developmental Disabilities - after a Red Room bill signing ceremony that for some inexplicable reason was closed to the press. The name change was prompted by the longstanding concerns of many in the disabled... community, who would like to see “retarded” and its derivations consigned to the same scrapheap where “cripple” now resides.Here’s the statement from Gov. David Paterson:"The historic legislation removed the words “Mental Retardation” from the name of the State agency and from State statute and regulations, and will take effect immediately.“This name change sends a strong message that New York values the dignity and respect of individuals with developmental disabilities” Governor Paterson said. “For many people with developmental disabilities the words ‘mental retardation’ are hurtful and represent a disrespectful term. The Office For People With Developmental Disabilities(OPWDD). The historic legislation removed the words “Mental Retardation” from the name of the State agency and from State statute and regulations, and will take effect immediately.

"
“This name change sends a strong message that New York values the dignity and respect of individuals with developmental disabilities” Governor Paterson said. “For many people with developmental disabilities the words ‘mental retardation’ are hurtful and represent a disrespectful term. The Office For People With Developmental Disabilities is a name that respects their rights as people with developmental disabilities to have an agency name that invokes pride, and not shame.”


http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.timesunion.com%2Fcapitol%2Farchives%2F29435%2Fomrdd-gets-a-new-name%2F&h=01110

ENJOY!

Note:  This blog is also shared on Facebook with a Discussion tab at

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"What A Tribute!"

Hi-5!
.

Scotty B. Memorial to all Rapid City residents with a disAbility.

Kbj Cosse': "What a tribute!"

                                                              [Facebook entry July 27, 2010]

July 26, 2010 marked the 20th Anniversary of the signing of landmark legislation to curb the injustices experienced by Americans with disabilities. Known as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - a civil rights decree to bring parity, services, understanding, acceptance and appreciation for our fellow citizens - who are challenged with a disability. 

A disability may be of the physical, mental, visual, auditory,medical, and mobility nature.  Like our 5 year old son who IS 'enjoying the hi-5s of autism', a disability may also be a developmental condition.

We thank our good Facebook friend Anna B. of Rapid City, South Dakota for sending in this picture of a statue in her hometown.  Rapid City has long stood as a supporter of its residents with disabilities.  Mr. Scotty B. lived and enjoyed life, even as an adult with a debilitating degenerative disease.  As you observe this awe-inspiring testiment to the great people of Rapid City, notice that -just like many of his fellow residents without a disability:
Scotty B. is smiling.
Scotty B. is well-groomed.
Scotty B. is in motion.
Scotty B. is going about his  daily goals of life.
Scotty B. is still contributing to his community.

Also, we like this memorial statue because it is exhibited in an American public square!  This is reflective of how people with disabilities want to be productive, understood and appreciated for their ABILITIES - instead of being idle, unknown and hidden away in shame.

Thank you Anna B. for sharing.  Thank you Rapid City,S.D. for caring. Thank you Scotty B. and so many others for enduring joyfully.  If ever we travel to your great city, we would definitely want to take a picture with you and Scotty B. IN an American PUBLIC SQUARE!

Kindly share your photo or story about a person(s) with a disAbility. 


ENJOY!

{"Enjoying the Hi-5s of Autism-A Family Experience!" is now on Facebook.  Go to the Discussion section of the FB page with the same title, and share your comments about various autism and developmental disAbilities topics.}

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[Several of these links include visual and auditory components.]

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• 20 Years Of Protecting People With Disabilities (npr.org)
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• Singing for Their Rights (cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Obama marks 20th anniversary of landmark disabled rights law (cnn.com)
• White House Launches Celebration Of 20th Anniversary Of Americans With Disabilities Act (whitehouse.gov)
• Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with Substance (whitehouse.gov)

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act!

Hi-5!

July 26, 1990 is the historical day that landmark legislation was signed which catapulted the civic rights of people with disabililities into a new level of understanding, appreciation, acceptance and support.

 Americans with Disabilities Act

 is still affecting the disabilities population in  positive ways.

Overall, America is a better country because of the passage of this monumental presidential act.

Share how the ADA vision of 'Liberty, Justice and Access forAll'

 has impacted your life or someone that you know with a disability.

ENJOY!

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