My Son With a Disability Deserves the Same Opportunities as Everyone

My Son With a Disability Deserves the Same Opportunities as Everyone

Twenty four years ago my son, Jacob, was born with hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. After several surgeries, doctors told us Jacob would be living with both physical and intellectual disabilities. They also told us not to expect much of Jacob in terms of his ability to participate in civic life, community life and in work. And they plunged us into what I now call the “The Tyranny of Low Expectations.”

My Son With a Disability Deserves the Same Opportunities as Everyone

Employment & Multiple Sclerosis

MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide.

If you have met one person with multiple sclerosis (MS), than you have met one person with MS — as no two people’s experiences are the same. MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms vary from person to person and range from numbness and tingling, to walking difficulties, fatigue, dizziness, pain, depression, blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted.

My Son With a Disability Deserves the Same Opportunities as Everyone

Recruiting People with Disabilities: Accessibility vs. Accommodation – Does the Difference Matter?

We know that we need to provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities in the application process, but how about accessibility? Is it really necessary to go that far?

Consider the following example. To make a restroom accessible, we would want to make it large enough for a wheelchair and provide handrails. We would adjust the toilet roll holder to the proper height and install automatic flushing. We might even provide a button to the side of door, to make it easier to open.

OFCCP Week in Review: October 10, 2016

OFCCP Week in Review: October 3, 2016

In today’s edition of OFCCP Week in Review, John C. Fox and Candee Chambers discuss the recent news in the federal contractor space, including the U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division publishing its Final Rule regarding paid sick leave for selected federal contractors and the EEOC’s announcement to collect summary pay data beginning in March 2018.

My Son With a Disability Deserves the Same Opportunities as Everyone

#InclusionWorks for Employers

I had the great opportunity to attend the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) national conference, an annual meeting of companies with a demonstrated commitment to a disability-inclusive workplace. As always, the event was a very fitting prelude to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.