| I waxed last month on the preponderance of designated days and months to draw attention to people, causes, professions, diseases, and all other topics. At risk of being forced to eat my words, allow me to acknowledge April as National Poetry Month. Whether it is my worn copy of Robert Louis Stephenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses or my children’s favorite Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends, poetry to me provides a verbal expressionist painting of life, blurring the image and distorting some elements while changing perspective and balance of others.
Thus my April searches and wanderings had me reading poetry by authors with various abilities. I read some of the prolific Jim Ferris, many that reflect on his personal history of hospitalization for multiple surgeries as a child. I read Trevor Armstrong’s “Hobbled Little Cat” on a page of poems about disabilities. Consider Sheila Black’s compilation Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability. The list goes on and I would encourage you to spend some time on your own exploring the work but I will leave you with the spring Haiku on this April Day by Kenny Fries. (from Jennifer Bartlett’s 2018 selection of poets for the NYT)
THREE HAIKU: PLUM, CHERRY, PEACH
Last days of winter carry his father’s ashes— blossoms: white, pink, red.
Do people tire of cherry trees because trees blossom every spring?
Afterthoughts — a tease of blossoms, fallen before
the rise of summer.
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FINDER, The Right Tool for the Job
By: Vicki Lee Johnson
My husband and I enjoy do-it-yourself projects. For us, these are the kind of simple decorating, building and remodeling projects done around our home that bring us joy and increase the value of our home. Some projects go smoothly. Others, not so much. One of the most important things we’ve learned over the years is that when we have the right tools, we are more successful in our endeavor with less effort and stress involved. The right tools make a positive difference. So what does using the right tool for the job look like when trying to find answers to disability-related questions and locate services close to where you live?
IndianaDisabilityResourseFINDER.org is a new online tool specifically designed to connect people with disability-related programs, services and supports in their local community located anywhere in Indiana. It’s FREE and can create a customized list of resources based on a person’s unique situation and needs. FINDER is easy to use. It can support first-time users with a step-by-step guide, or for those more experienced users, it has advanced search features. Regardless of how information is located, search results are immediately available, can be saved for future use and shared.
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| Spectrum 23.9: Not Your Typical Radio Station
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Online radio has grown in recent years, making it a viable way to get your message out. From podcasts to streaming services, more and more people are utilizing this method as creative expression and serving communities with information and promotion of causes. For John Graham of Spectrum 23.9, it’s also about following his dream and bringing his friends along with him.
Spectrum 23.9 launched on September 7, 2018. Prior to Spectrum’s launch, John created Radio for a Cause. “Radio for a Cause combines my love of radio broadcasting with making an impact in the community,” he says. A young man on the autism spectrum, John started broadcasting as part of the student radio program at Homestead High School. He uses Radio for a Cause to promote those doing good for the community and supporting others with disabilities to learn new skills in media. According to John, Spectrum is just one piece of the Radio for a Cause puzzle and those interested in all types of media can look forward for more to come. So what exactly can you expect with Spectrum 23.9?
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Person First Language By: Joni Schmalzried
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| When I was first asked to address ‘people first’ language for this newsletter, I went online to see what I might find. Sometimes I do this to help me focus on what the current buzz is, or what national organizations are saying. In the field of education, the language used to represent disabilities has changed a great deal since I attended college and entered the profession (35+ years ago). Looking back we had some crazy terms…’trainable mentally retarded’, ‘educable mentally retarded’, ‘seriously emotional handicapped’ and the list goes on.
Even though the words have changed (for the better), one thing has not changed – the hidden interpretation made when we address individuals with disabilities. Where do these interpretations come from? I think our words absolutely have an impact, but I also believe it is how we demonstrate for others what it means to put ‘people first.’ Sometimes this means not needing to put anything in addition to being a person first.
Think about it this way. I am Joni. I am also Joni, Nate’s mom; Joni, Lee’s wife; Joni, Chief Program Officer at AWS Foundation; Joni, Doctor of Education; Joni, directionally impaired driver (and so on). I am ALWAYS Joni FIRST. I identify with the other descriptors as well, and sometimes it is important to use them. The same is true for an individual with a disability. My friend Ian is always Ian FIRST. However, sometimes it is important for people to understand that his behaviors are a part of his autism. When that is the case, he is Ian, who has autism. This is also important when Ian needs services from a provider or a school setting. This piece of his identity allows him to receive supports that he needs. At no time should Ian be ‘an autistic’ (what does that mean anyway?). My friend’s husband uses a wheelchair. Never is he ‘wheel-chair bound’ (Mary does not tie him to his chair). However, Don does use a wheelchair, which is visually obvious as well as a part of his identify.
I could go on forever (but won’t), so here are my tips when addressing individuals with disabilities with person first language (especially in print):
- People first means that you need to know my name…please ask me for it.
- A person with a disability is never ‘bound’.
- Don’t group individuals with disabilities into a lump sum (Autistics, Downs, etc…)
- Know more about an individual, so the qualifier doesn’t always have to be a person’s disability (my friend Ian is a wonderful writer).
- Treat all people with the same respect you would like to receive (golden rule never goes out of style).
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Top 10 Reasons to Attend the disAbilities Expo
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| 10. Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the disAbilities Expo and win the grand prize of a week-long vacation of your choice*.
9. Choose a new color tote bag, pen and see friends you haven't seen since last year's expo.
8. Visit over 115 booths that have products and services for individuals with disabilities and their families.
7. Find out what companies are employing people with disabilities and get help with the resume and interview process.
6. Watch or be part of a demonstration of Goalball, Turnstone's Paralympic training center sport.
5. Watch 8 different talented performance groups, including choirs, dance and drama troupes, and cheerleading.
4. View the amazing art exhibits and purchase some to display in your home.
3. Learn more about Indiana Disability Resource "FINDER," the fantastic new website which provides you with all the resources available in Indiana for people with disabilities.
2. Check out Superior Van's newest vans for people with disabilities and get your picture taken in their photo booth.
And the number 1 reason to attend the 10th annual disAbilities Expo on May 11th at the Coliseum is......(drum roll, please)....to make new friends and contacts to grow and learn with.
For more information about attending the 10th Annual DisAbilities Expo go to disabilitiesexpoindiana.org.
*Winners must be a person with a disability or have a person with a disability living in their home. The trip covers all members of the household. Members of group or supported living homes are not eligible to win, but will have the opportunity for other prizes. No purchase necessary to win.
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8515 Bluffton Road | Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Office: 260.222.5005 | Toll Free: 877.799.5656
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