Today is Blogging Against Disablism Day

Here are a few basic random thoughts I have about Disablism/Ableism:

• People with disabilities have skills and strengths that are often overlooked. 
• People with disabilities want to be productive, involved members of society, but are often prevented from doing so because of the negative attitudes of others.
• Among the biggest barriers encountered by people with disabilities are the stereotypes and low expectations of nondisabled people.
• When people with disabilities are included in activities and programs, everyone benefits.
• All human beings have the potential to adapt to a wide variety of conditions – many people with disabilities have harnessed this power to the utmost.
• If you're an employer looking to hire workers that are creative and adaptive, hire people with disabilities.
• Make sure your workplace diversity program includes people with disabilities -- if you're not sure how to accomplish this, ask us!

Today is Blogging Against Disablism Day. What we generally call "ableism" or "ableism" in the US is sometimes referred to as "disablism" in the UK and elsewhere. Here is an extraordinarily good post from a UK disability activist whose blog is called a Diary of a Goldfish: http://blobolobolob.blogspot.com/. Highly recommended.

Bill Veeck: Baseball's Greatest Maverick

Yesterday on the NPR radio program Only A Game, they ran a story about a guy named Bill Veeck.  There's a new book out about him called Bill Veeck: Baseball's Greatest Maverick.  Now, I had heard about Bill Veeck before – he owned three different major league baseball teams over the years and was legendary for his ballfield publicity stunts, like the Disco Demolition Night, when they burned a huge pile of disco records.  What I didn't know was that he had a significant physical disability – he lost a leg during combat in World War II, and had a series of surgeries in which they amputated more and more of his leg.  The radio program described how he used humor to neutralize other people's discomfort about his disability.  He had a custom wooden leg with a built-in ashtray, and liked to sit in the bleachers with working-class fans, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes.  One day, he was rushing through an airport and his wooden leg broke, sending him sprawling to the ground.  Some airport employees, recognizing him, rushed over and said "Mr. Veeck, do you need a doctor?"  He replied "no, it's my wooden leg that broke – get me a carpenter!"

Trendy clothing store thinks it should be exempt from accessibility laws

Have you ever heard of a company called Hollister?  No, I'm not talking about the company that makes ostomy bags and other urinary care supplies.  The Hollister I am talking about is a subsidiary of Abercrombie and Fitch, which markets trendy clothing to young adults.  A few years ago, Hollister started opening up stores in shopping malls that have a relaxed-looking country-style front porch, complete with porch furniture and two steps.  And guess what – those front porches are not accessible – no ramp!  In order to "comply" with state and federal accessibility laws, Hollister installed secondary segregated entrances that look like decorative French doors – next to the primary front porch entrances.  The Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) ruled, following their receipt of a complaint, that providing these segregated entrances do not exempt Hollister from having to make the front porches accessible.  Massachusetts courts have upheld MAAB's decision.  Now Hollister is appealing the court decision – on Thursday, May 3, at 9:30 AM, on the third floor of the John Adams Courthouse, Beacon Hill, Boston, the court will be hearing oral arguments in this case.  Disability civil rights advocates are encouraged to attend this hearing – many thanks to John Kelly of Neighborhood Access Group for the preceding information.