37 years ago, the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Administration created a groundbreaking advocacy and leadership training program to give people with disabilities and their families the resources and skills to communicate effectively with their elected officials.
For a person with a disability and many years of extensive experience with most sectors of health care delivery, one of the most scary and fearful thoughts is anticipating going to a transitional care unit (TCU) or rehabilitation center after a stay in the hospital.
The situation Senator Duckworth experienced, with a nonfunctioning elevator at the movie theater is unfortunate but common. And of course, this situation was especially disappointing because the Senator’s daughters wanted to see the movie with her. It was supposed to be a family outing that couldn’t happen because of the elevator.
Barbie has had many iterations during her 65 years as America’s favorite fashion doll. And yes, one was a Barbie using a wheelchair and Barbie’s dream house even had an elevator. That’s why I was thrilled to see a photo prop Barbie box at the movie theater where we could pose inside the Barbie box. I was determined to get inside that box if it killed me! It was barely accessible, but I made it work with my scooter. I looked like the next new Barbie doll on the shelf! Scooter Barbie here I come!
The entire month of July is now celebrated as Disability Pride Month. This is a good idea as the LGBTQ community has certainly been successful organizing a grass roots effort to celebrate Pride in June. Disability pride month is about celebrating our differences without using the label special needs.
This episode of Disability Vewpoints discusses one and one with two individuals with disabilities that had Covid 19 and how they managed through the illness. Mathew, Sanford and Nick Wilkie were the guests with Mark Hughes and Joan Willshire.
An entire episode of Disability Viewpoints was dedicated to autonomous vehicles in Minnesota. Including:
Interview with Rochester Mayor, Kim Norton of Rochester on their year-long autonomous vehicle challenge, circling around the mayo clinic
Discussion of the new pilot being connected in White Bear Lake
Discussion with the executive director of the University Of Minnesota centers for transportation studies and research.
As usual, the biggest issues I run into are curb cuts clogged with snow and access aisles of the disability parking spots not shoveled out completely.
There’s truly a lack of awareness about the access aisle in the disability parking area. Minnesota Building Code requires a 10-foot access in the disability parking area. This means the entire parking area must be cleared of snow and ice!
This episode talks about Wilderness Inquiry, a nonprofit organization that works with a variety of people, including people of disabilities to get out in the out of doors.
I’ve had 25+ years working in the disability community from marketing disability services in healthcare to creating disability policy in government. I am now president of my own consulting company. My goal is for companies and businesses to learn more about disability inclusion for people with disabilities in business.
SEMCIL, Volunteer Drivers Host Joan Willshire explores Minnesota’s Volunteer Driver programs with Mary Quirk, Living at Home Network, and Sherry Munyon, Capitol Access. Over 75,000
Imagine the loss of mobility and independence, the disruption of routines, the day program that doesn’t open, the beloved caregiver who doesn’t come, and the lack of support that leaves some families with now choice but to instituionalize their loved ones, and you have a sense of what many in the disability community are going through every day due to COVID-19.
