Stephanie mackay

THE BOTTOM LINE OF DISABILITIES

STEPHANIE MACKAY FOUNDATION DIRECTOR, COLUMBUS COMMUNITY CENTER

JULY 14, 2014

THE POWER OF ONE In September 1952, this letter to the editor appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune:

I am a parent of a mentally retarded girl, six years old. I plan to keep her at home, but I want her to learn as much as she is capable of learning. I find there are no programs for her in the Salt Lake Valley. If you are a parent with a similar problem, and would like to form a group to begin a day care center, please call me at 35644.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AS A MODEL • 1 in 11 adults is not in the workplace due to a disability • 70 years ago, Boeing was once of first corporations to practice social enterprise • Columbus has had a 47-year track record of finding innovative ways to employ individuals with disabilities • The “ADA” generation is coming of age, and we must be prepared • Grassroots responses grounded in economics can lead to change

STATISTICS

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE • Respect for an individual’s abilities is paramount— this is often reflected in changing terminology that replaces pejorative terms.

• When people meet someone with a disability, some may react with discomfort.

• It’s best is to be open and not make assumptions.

• Employers often have fear legal challenges based on ADA requirements • Employees and potential employees often fear discrimination

THE REAL WORK

by Wendell Berry

It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey.

The mind that is not baffled is not employed.

The impeded stream is the one that sings.