DEAF WORKERS OF ORANGE COUNTY PROJECT -- DEAF WORKERS WEEKLY BULLETIN -- June 12, 1999 Greetings, We have been seeing a lot of discussion and bickering over an episode of the Politically Incorrect show when the ADA issues were discussed. Many of you deaf folks were offended and became upset by the contents of this episode which aired on May 5, 1999. Disney happens to own ABC. Dont whine about that episode because you all asked for it in the first place when you guys continued to patronize Disney in the shadow of the class action lawsuit against that company by the National Association of the Deaf. You gave them the message to do this to you. Really, now it's time to wake up folks and see what you are doing to your community! Richard Roehm ---- A STUDY OF THE POLITICAL BEHAVIOR OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RELEASED Final Report to the, Disability Research Consortium, Bureau of Economic Research, Rutgers University, and New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council, April 1999 Douglas L. Kruse, Ph.D. School of Management and Labor Relations Rutgers University 94 Rockafeller Road Piscataway, NJ 08854 (732) 445-5991 dkruse@rci.rutgers.edu Kay Schriner, Ph.D. Dept. of Rehabilitation Education and Research University of Arkansas 346 N. West Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72701 (501) 575-6417 kays@comp.uark.edu Lisa Schur, J.D., Ph.D. School of Management and Labor Relations Rutgers University 50 Labor Center Way New Brunswick, NJ 08903 (732) 932-1743 LSchur@rci.rutgers.edu Todd Shields, Ph.D. Department of Political Science University of Arkansas 434 Old Main Fayetteville, AR 72701 (501) 575-6440 tshields@comp.uark.edu EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Are people with disabilities as likely as those without disabilities to vote, and to engage in other forms of political and civic participation? If not, why not? Is there a role for policies to remove barriers or otherwise encourage greater participation by the 54 million Americans with disabilities? This study reports on a new national random-household telephone survey of 1,240 American citizens of voting age, conducted after the recent elections in November, 1998. The disability questions from the upcoming 2000 Census were used to identify people with disabilities, supplemented by additional questions about the nature, severity, and duration of the disability. The sample was stratified so that interviews were conducted with 700 people with disabilities and 540 people without disabilities. Survey respondents were asked standard questions about voting in 1996 and 1998, voter registration, voting mobilization by political parties and others, and perceptions of the political system. In addition, new questions were asked about actual and anticipated difficulties in voting at a polling place, transportation modes and difficulties, and personal competencies. Voter Turnout and Registration The major findings on voter turnout and registration in 1998 are: * People with disabilities were on average about 20 percentage points less likely than those without disabilities to vote, and 10 points less likely to be registered to vote, after adjusting for differences in demographic characteristics (age, sex, race, education, and marital status). * The voting gap between people with and without disabilities is especially wide among those who are age 65 or older, as shown in the figure below. * If people with disabilities voted at the same rate as those without disabilities, there would have been 4.6 million additional voters in 1998, raising the overall turnout rate by 2.5 percentage points. * The one-third of people with disabilities who are employed were as likely as employed people without disabilities to vote, while the two-thirds who are not employed were 17 percentage points less likely to be registered, and 30 points less likely to vote, than non-employed people without disabilities. * Political parties were less likely to contact people with disabilities in the 1998 campaigns. * While people with disabilities are less likely to view the political system as responsive to "people like me," they are as likely as people without disabilities to follow government and public affairs most of the time, and their lower voter turnout is not explained by their perceptions of the political system or their perceived ability to participate. * The overall disability voting gap is reduced only from 20 to 15 percentage points after accounting for other standard determinants of voting (such as mobilization, perceptions of the political system, and income). In addition to being concentrated among older and non-employed people with disabilities, low turnout is most likely among those who have difficulty going outside alone, severe visual impairments, and mental impairments. * People with disabilities are more likely than those without disabilities to have encountered, or expect, difficulties in voting at a polling place. Of those voting in the past ten years, 8% of people with disabilities encountered such problems compared to less than 2% of people without disabilities. Among those not voting within the past ten years, 27% of people with disabilities would expect such problems compared to 4% of people without disabilities. The particularly low voter turnout among those who have difficulty going outside alone, despite the availability of absentee ballots, suggests that lack of access to polling places can dilute the value of voting and sense of civic duty and connection to one's fellow citizens. Problems with access to polling places as identified by respondent descriptions are split among general mobility, getting to the polling place, and being able to vote once at the polling place. Among all people with disabilities the percentages identifying such problems are as follows: Problems encountered if if voted in past 10 years Problems expected haven't voted in past 10 years Any difficulty in voting at polling place 8.2% 27.5% General mobility (walking, standing) 1.7% 10.3% Getting to polling place 1.6% 8.8% At polling place (getting inside, using booth/machine, long lines, seeing ballot) 3.9% 10.1% Other 1.4% 2.9% The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, also known as the "Motor Voter Act," was designed to increase voter registration by offering registration services at drivers' license agencies and other government service agencies. If this has had an effect, it appears similar for people with and without disabilities: close to one-fourth of respondents have registered since the Act took effect on January 1, 1995, close to one-tenth have registered at a driver's license agency, and close to 1% have registered at a disability agency or other public assistance agency, in both the disability and non-disability samples. Other Forms of Political and Civic Participation Apart from voting, are people with disabilities more or less likely to participate in other political and civic activities? The survey asked whether respondents had engaged in seven other forms of participation in the past 12 months: With disabilities Without disabilities 1. Contributed money to political party or candidate 13% 16% 2. Written or spoken to elected representative/official 30% 40% 3. Attended political meeting 13% 15% 4. Written letter to newspaper 7% 9% 5. Contributed money to org. trying to influence gov't policy or legislation 16% 22% 6. Otherwise worked with groups or on one's own to change gov't laws or policies 14% 19% 7. Worked with others on community problem 24% 28% The major findings with respect to other forms of political and civic participation are: * People with disabilities were 10 percentage points less likely than those without disabilities to have engaged in any of these activities in the past twelve months, after accounting for demographic characteristics. * The disability gap varies greatly, however, by activity. After accounting for demographic characteristics, people with disabilities were as likely to have engaged in three of these activities (attended political meeting, written letter to newspaper, otherwise worked with groups or on one's own to change government laws or policies), and were: 5 points less likely to have contributed to a campaign or candidate, 9 points less likely to have contacted an elected representative or public official, 5 points less likely to have contributed to an organization trying to influence government laws or policies, and 5.5 points more likely to have worked with others on a community problem. * Lower participation in the above three activities, as with voting, is concentrated among those who are older and have difficulty going outside (even though the activities can be done in the home). * Just under one-tenth (8%) of people with disabilities had engaged in any of the activities on a disability issue, while over two-fifths (43%) engaged in these activities only on non-disability issues. * One-tenth (10%) of people with disabilities said that they had worked to change a private organization's policies regarding people with disabilities (such as through talking to business owners, or filing a lawsuit). Implications The overall results indicate that most people with disabilities feel well-qualified to participate in politics, and are as likely as otherwise-similar people without disabilities to participate in several non-electoral political and civic activities. They are, however, less likely on average to vote, make contributions to campaigns or political organizations, or contact elected representatives and public officials. The participation gaps are concentrated among people with disabilities who are non-employed, older, and have difficulty going outside aloneythose who are employed and/or younger (18-44) are, in fact, about as likely as otherwise-similar people without disabilities to engage in these activities. The finding that participation is lowest among those who have difficulty going outside the home aloneydespite the fact that these forms of participation can be done inside the homeyindicates the importance of accessible transportation and interaction with mainstream society. Isolation and confinement to one's home can decrease "social capital"ythe social skills, knowledge, connections, and identification developed from regular interaction with many other people. The loss of social capital, through isolationism or ostracism, can cause a self-perpetuating spiral into obscurity not only for the individual but also for the political ideas, experiences, and groups the individual represents. Feelings of isolation from mainstream society can only be heightened by difficulties in voting, since voting is a basic act of citizenship in a democracy. Actual or expected problems in voting at a polling place are highest among those who have difficulty going outside alone, and are high among those with severe vision impairments and mental impairments. The lack of accessible transportation and polling places marginalizes many people with disabilities, making them second-class citizens who cannot publicly join others in exercising the right to vote, and weakening their sense of connection to fellow citizens and mainstream society. Just as the low employment levels of people with disabilities represent a waste of economic resources, their low levels of voting and participation in several political activities represent a waste of political and social resources. Democracies work best with an active, engaged citizenryyonly through full participation can individuals and groups expect to be adequately and correctly represented by political leaders. Participation can have important personal benefits as well: democratic theorists such as John Stuart Mill have argued that only through political involvement can one become truly empowered and perform as an enlightened democratic citizen. These findings support policies that seek to ensure fully accessible polling places and transportation, as well as the need to communicate the fact of greater accessibility to those who have not voted in the recent past. Among the policies that deserve serious scrutiny are: * an information campaign for government service agencies to promote better implementation of the "Motor Voter Act," * federal standards on polling place accessibility for all people with disabilities, * technical assistance to state and local election officials to promote accessibility, and * federal standards to ensure that all campaign activities (speeches, commercials, etc.) are accessible to people with various impairments. In addition, the fact that there is no voting gap between employed people with and without disabilities indicates that employmentyin addition to its important economic and social benefitsycan play an important role in increasing the social capital and political participation of people with disabilities. This lends further weight to the ADA's goal of increasing employment among people with disabilities. For more info: Douglas L. Kruse, Ph.D. School of Management and Labor Relations Rutgers University 94 Rockafeller Road Piscataway, NJ 08854 (732) 445-5991 dkruse@rci.rutgers.edu ---- SSI AND SSDI ENROLLMENT DOESNT PREVENT ONE FROM FILING ADA LAWSUITS The case was Cleveland v. Policy Management Systems Corp. "After suffering a stroke & losing her job, PETITIONER CLEVELAND SOUGHT & OBTAINED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI) BENEFITS, claiming that she was unable to work due to her disability. The week before her SSDI award, she filed suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), contending that her former employer, respondent Policy Management Systems Ckorporation, had discriminated against her on account of her disability. In granting Policy Management Systems summary judgment [dismissing the suit], the District Court concluded that Cleveland's claim that she was totally disabled for SSDI purposes estopped [kept] her from proving an essential element of her ADA claim, namely, that she could 'perform the essential functions' of her job, at least with 'reasonable...accommodation,' 42 U.S.C. sect.12111(8). The Fifth Circuit affirmed, holding that the application for or receipt of SSDI benefits creates a rebuttable presumption that a recipient is estopped from pursuing an ADA claim and that Cleveland failed to rebut the presumption. Held: 1. PURSUIT, AND RECEIPT, OF SSDI BENEFITS DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY ESTOP A RECIPIENT FROM PURSUING AN ADA CLAIM OR ERECT A STRONG PRESUMPTION AGAINST THE RECIPIENT'S ADA SUCCESS. However, to survive a summary judgment motion, an ADA plaintiff cannot ignore her SSDI contention that she was too disabled to work, but must explain why that contention is consistent with her ADA claim that she can perform the essential functions of her job, at least with reasonable accommodation. [One explanation of some possibilities--For example, since the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not take into account the possibility of 'reasonable accommodation' in determining SSDI eligibility, an ADA plaintiff's claim that she can perform her job with reasonable accommodation may well prove consistent with an SSDI claim that she could not perform her own job (or other jobs) without it.] 2. Here, the parties should have the opportunity in the trial court to present, or to contest, Cleveland's explanations for the discrepancy between her SSDI statements and her ADA claim, which include that the SSDI statements that she was totally disabled were made in a forum that does not consider the effect that reasonable workplace accommodation would have on her ability to work and that those statements were reliable at the time they were made." ---- CONFERENCE ON EMPLOYMENT AND DISABLED WOMEN PLANNED Conference on Employment & Disabled Women Contact: World Institute on Disability: 510 251 4326: Fax: 510 763 4109; email:Kathy@wid.org A conference on "Strategies to Increase Employment of Women with Disabilities" will take place August 5-7, 1999 on San Antonio's famous River Walk at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel. The three day meeting will feature a combination of story-telling and tips by disabled women who have either succeeded in mainstream employment or started their own businesses and working sessions focused on problem-solving in specific aspects of obtaining, retaining, advancing in or creating employment. The conference is being organized as a collaborative effort of the World Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation International, contracted by the Social Security Administration and Department of Education. The employment meeting will immediately follow an August 2-5 conference on "Promoting the Health and Wellness of Women with Disabilities," organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Joint sessions to discuss cross-over issues between health concerns and employment will be held on August 5 and registration for both conferences is being handled by the World Institute on Disability. Employment Focuses In recognition of current studies demonstrating that disabled women are still not a significant presence in the labor force, the San Antonio meeting will focus on: * utilizing the Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS) program to transition from benefits to work * introduction to small business planning * identifying and working with mentors * knowing your rights in the employment process * self-assessment for employment * job-seeking strategies, including the internet * career planning * services and programs available for women seeking employment or career advancement * dressing for success & improvement of interview skills * peer support approaches to employment * the employer's viewpoint and * resources and services available from government agencies In addition, the program will feature a cyber cafe, an assistive technology demonstration, a talent celebration and opportunities for one-on-one consultations with mentors, employment specialists and technology and internet experts. Other agencies supporting the project include the Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health & Human Services, the National Council on Disability and the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Conference fee is $150 if received by July 31 and $200 thereafter. Contact Kathy Martinez at WID for details and information about scholarships. ---- CHAIRMAN KENNARD WANTS YOU TO PROVIDE INPUT ON A NEW FCC FOR THE 21ST CENTURY The Federal Communications Commission sent out a notice last week that we are holding forums to solicit feedback on how the FCC should be structured in the 21st Century, and developing a five-year plan. On Wednesday, June 2, from 10 a.m. * 1 p.m. EST the Commission wants feedback from consumers, including persons with disabilities. Claude Stout, Executive Director, Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc., Karen Peltz-Strauss, Telecommunications Policy Director, National Association of the Deaf and Alan Dinsmore, Senior Government Relations Representative, American Foundation for the Blind, will be participating. This forum will be held in the Commission Meeting Room at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. The forum is open to the public. Kathryn Brown, the FCC's Chief of Staff, will moderate the discussion. The forum will be closed captioned, and sign language interpreters will be provided. For those members of the disability community that are not able to attend the meeting in person, the forum will be carried live on the Internet. Internet users may listen to the real-time audio feed of the forums via the FCC Internet Audio Broadcast Home Page. Step-by-step instructions on how to listen to the audio broadcast, as well as information regarding the equipment and software needed, are available on the FCC Internet Audio Broadcast Home Page. The URL address for this home page is http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/. For those persons with hearing disabilities, the forum will be broadcast with real-time captioning on the Internet. The URL address for this home page is http://www.lexicast.com/. To access the captioning, you'll first have to download the free LexiCast Player and install it on your computer. Next, you'll select the News & Information Channel group and then the program. An e-mail site has been established to receive additional input from the public on the above questions. The e-mail address is: newfcc@fcc.gov. In addition, time permitting, views and/or questions received during the course of the public forums via this e-mail site will be addressed at the public forums along with the views of the attendees. In order to solicit input, the public forum will be divided into three sessions lasting approximately one hour each: Session I What Should the FCC's Role Be in the 21st Century? · What is your vision of the communications marketplace of the future? · In the communications marketplace of the future, what activities would the FCC no longer do? What functions would remain? · In his March 17th report, the Chairman stated his vision of the FCC's future core functions as revolving around I) enforcement and promotion of pro-competition goals domestically and worldwide; ii) universal service, consumer protection, and information; and iii) spectrum management. What are your views on this vision? · How would you prioritize the FCC's current workload in order to transition to a New FCC for the 21st Century? Session II How Should the FCC Be Structured in the Communications Marketplace of the Future? · In view of what will be a changing role for the FCC in the future, what structural changes, if any, should be made to reorganize the FCC beyond the previously announced intent to create an Enforcement Bureau and a Public Information Bureau? · What structural recommendations do you have regarding the FCC's license application functions? Its policy and rulemaking functions? · What steps should the FCC take to strengthen its technical resources and its commitment to promoting competition and access to communications services worldwide? · In view of what the FCC's core functions will be in the future, what recommendations do you have regarding FCC resources and staffing needs, including the need to attract and retain high-quality employees? Session III How Can the FCC Work More Efficiently and Effectively to Deliver Services to the Public? · What are your top three recommendations for ways the FCC can work more efficiently and effectively and be more user-friendly? · What specific and/or general recommendations do you have in the areas of streamlining and deregulation? · What recommendations do you have to improve the Commission's priority-setting process? Its decision-making processes? Persons or organizations interested in participating in the forums should contact the following person: Ellen Blackler, (202) 418-0491, TTY (202) 418-0485. A transcript of each of the forums will be available 10 business days after each event on the FCC's Internet site. The URL address for the FCC's Internet Home Page is http://www.fcc.gov. Transcripts may also be obtained from the FCC's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Service, 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, by calling ITS at (202) 857-3800, TTY (202) 293-8810, or faxing ITS at (202) 857-3805. Audio and video tapes of the forums may be purchased from Infocus, 341 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170, by calling Infocus at (703) 834-0100 or by faxing Infocus at (703) 834-0111. Copies of the transcripts in other alternative formats (computer diskette, large print, and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by contacting Martha Contee at (202) 418-0260 voice, (202) 418-2555 TTY, or at mcontee@fcc.gov. ---- TEXAS GOVERNOR'S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HONORS DEAF BASHERS WITH EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR STATUS Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities Names Tandy / Radio Shack Large Employer of the Year FORT WORTH, Texas, June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Tandy Corporation/RadioShack has been named Large Employer of the Year by the Texas Governor's Committee On People With Disabilities. The Governor's Committee award will be presented in October as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). "The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities is pleased to recognize Tandy Corporation/RadioShack as the 1999 Large Employer of the Year," said Executive Director Pat Pound. "This Fort Worth-based company recruits and accommodates employees with disabilities to work in positions throughout the company." The nomination originated from a RadioShack customer in San Antonio who was impressed by the expertise and service he received from a sales associate with a disability. "I just wanted to be the one to nominate RadioShack. I believe a company that hires people with disabilities deserves recognition," he said. In making the final selection, committee judges noted that the depth of the company's involvement in special needs is evidenced by participation in various programs and the range of positions held by people with disabilities. The company's efforts to support employment opportunities and provide internal training were also cited. One judge said, "My hat's off to them and I wish that more companies would follow suit." "It's very gratifying to receive this kind of recognition for our efforts," said Leonard Roberts, chairman, president and CEO of Tandy Corporation/RadioShack. "We work with our employees to maximize their mental and physical capabilities to perform tasks. We focus on their abilities -- not their disabilities. Nothing holds them back. If they are able to do the job -- they are given the opportunity to do it." Employees with disabilities hold numerous positions throughout Tandy/RadioShack. In fact, the company actively works with city and state programs to recruit persons from the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Goodwill Industries and the Fort Worth Mayor's Committee on Persons With Disabilities. "Our philosophy is that all employees should have fair and equal access to opportunity," said Roberts. "Perceived limitations have no place in a modern workforce." Retail employees have also been trained in selling a wide variety of specialty merchandise designed for individuals with special needs. Special needs items have been part of the RadioShack product mix for years and customers often comment on benefits derived from them. Tandy/RadioShack is a major contributor to the United Way Campaign and its many programs to help people with disabilities. Since 1996, combined corporate and employee contributions totaled $17 million. The company is a gold sponsor of the Barbara Jordan Awards Banquet hosted by the Fort Worth Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities. And Tandy/RadioShack has also provided financial support and computer equipment to the Center for Computer Assistance to the Disabled. This new recognition comes on the heels of another Employer of the Year award conferred on Tandy/RadioShack by the Rotary Club of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Earlier this month, Tandy/RadioShack was honored in the "over 100" employees category. That selection was based on programs and treatment of employees, work force diversity, growth in numbers of employees, economic impact on the community and community service. RadioShack, the retail operating format of Tandy Corporation (NYSE: TAN), is the nation's largest consumer electronics chain and one of the most trusted electronics retailers in the United States. With more than 7,000 stores and dealers, RadioShack sells more wireless telephones, telecommunications products and electronic parts and accessories than any other retailer. It is estimated that 94 percent of Americans live or work within five minutes of a RadioShack store or dealer. For more information, visit Tandy Corporation/RadioShack web sites at www.tandy.com and www.radioshack.com. ---- THE COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT LORETTA SANCHEZ HAS INTERSHIP OPENINGS The Committee to Re-Elect Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) currently has unpaid summer internship positions available. We are located in Santa Ana, California. Previous campaign experience, while helpful, is not required. Skills and qualities that are required are strong writing skills, organizational skills, general computer knowledge, quick thinking, ability to follow directions, sense of humor, self-motivation, and commitment to doing a good job. Campaign work is hard work with long hours, but this is a great opportunity to get started working in the political arena, and meet other progressive individuals. Dates and hours are flexible. Interns will help with fundraising, volunteer recruitment and supervision, and election analysis. With Congresswoman Sanchez' new positions as Co-Chair of the Democratic National Committee and Chair of Hispanic Unity PAC, the next few months will certainly be busy and productive. If you would like to be a part of the Sanchez team, please send a resume and cover letter to the address below. Although the current positions are unpaid, they may lead to paid positions as election day nears. Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you know who may be interested. Thank you, Ed Velasquez sanchz98@pacbell.net Committee to Re-Elect Loretta Sanchez 604 S. Harbor Blvd. Santa Ana, CA 92704 Phone: 714/839-4431 Fax: 714/839-4634 ============================================================== DEAF WORKERS OF ORANGE COUNTY Orange County, California Richard Roehm President Internet : Deaf@activist.com Website Nesmuth@worldnet.att.net Http://www.i-sphere.com/eyedeaf/dwoc.htm =============================================================== Feel free to redistribute this newsletter in it's entirety and if you are planning to add a mailing list as a subscriber then let me know for my records. Thank you. =============================================================== Deaf Workers of Orange County will continue to aggressively pursue justice, fairness, and equality for the Deaf Community. =============================================================== Education is the best gift that lasts a lifetime! 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