The once-popular phrase was “Hire the Handicapped.” Its tone was pretty undeniable: since having a disability is such an unfortunate thing, we should give those poor people jobs as a socially-charitable gesture. The underlying message is that compassionate generosity should be the core drive for employing people with disabilities. Employers should make the sacrifice because it’s the right thing to do. Well, we’ve come a...

Inspire, the definition: “Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.” How, exactly, does that work when people encounter someone with a disability – in person, or in a story on the news or Facebook, etc.? Many people describe their experience of these as “inspirational.” I’m accustomed to that; I often hear that my life on wheels due to paralysis is...

When the spirit of Modern Disability is infused into your workplace culture, profound effects flow into your organization. This first-in-a-series article looks at a core, foundational piece of this influential spirit: adaptability. People with disabilities of all kinds and all degrees who are out there living their lives fully will tell you that they have learned an essential fact of being human: we are innately adaptable beings. This...

…and Why It’s About You   So what happens when an existing employee joins the ranks of having a disability? First, the law kicks in. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that an employer initiate the “Interactive Process,” a bureaucratic sounding term which is really just about figuring out whether or not and how someone can continue to work. As a disabled worker, you also have a right to...

Is it fair to say that to succeed in business you must keep a clear view of the environment surrounding your organization? You need to understand the current state of your market, your clientele, and keep your eyes peeled for any resources which will help you achieve your goals. It’s a tough process, this keeping up with reality, especially given the ever-accelerating pace of our changing world. But however good a job you do of it, having a...