Much Ado About Spray-paint

I recently read an article where disability advocates were lobbying to get the symbol for accessibility changed from the one pictured above, to this:

A part of me understands why this new symbol would appeal to advocates and activists. It portrays the individual represented by the image as being active and doing something independently.

However, I have two major issues with it. First off, the current image in use (seen at the top of the post) is a universal symbol, similar to a red cross on white representing hospitals and healthcare, or the various male and female symbols that signify public washrooms. Anyone from Toronto to Tokyo can see symbols like these and, within reason, know what they are.

Additionally, the newer symbol looks a lot like someone in a race chair, an athlete. Compare this to the current one, which could represent any number of individuals, from those in electric wheelchairs, to people in manual ones, to simply someone who's broken their leg and needs a wheelchair for temporary assistance. Suddenly, the new image doesn't seem very inclusive. And isn't that what most advocates and activists are striving for?

I get that people with disabilities want society to see them as more independent and capable, but I also believe that people who are so up in arms over this symbol need to realize it's ultimately just a spray-painted image, one that everyone recognizes worldwide, and start concentrating their efforts towards bigger, more important issues.

Cheers!

 

 





 

Suddenly, an Interview!

Quick bragging post!

Yesterday I had a job interview, the first in over a year, for actual paid work! It was for a part-time data entry contract for Habitat for Humanity. I got it through the people at the employment centre I did the placement with. The interview went well. People seemed friendly and the environment sounds fairly laid back. Sort of like the Foundation I used to volunteer for.

So now I wait about a week to see if they want me back for a second interview. If that happens, I could start working early June for two to three months!

Fingers crossed and more on this if it develops.

Cheers!

That Word Again

Without going into any detail, my father does a lot of work with people and organizations in the United States. The other day, while looking through a list of clients, he found an organization from northern New York called the Association for Retarded Citizens. Since I've written about words like retarded in the past, he told me about it.

I did a Google search for myself to see if it was real and, sure enough, it is, though, depending on the location, replace Citizens with Children. Granted, they say they've gone through a lot of name changes in their history and use the acronym ARC to avoid the used of the word retarded.

It's good that they've distanced themselves from the old name, but why can it still be found by simple Internet searches? If they really want to get rid of "retarded", then why not eliminate it all together? Change the name to something completely different. Like how an organization like Easter Seals completely abandoned being The Society for Crippled Children.

Our society goes on an on about the "R word" and all it's variations, and how we should stop using it. Well, here's a pretty good place to start, in my opinion. Rather than complaining about it's usage in media and popular culture, maybe we should first get national, and even international organizations like this one to completely stamp out any hint of "retarded" and other outdated and potentially offensive terms from usage.

Once this happen, then maybe other groups and people will follow their lead, and we can be rid of some of these words for good.

Cheers

Professional Speaking

This weekend, I attended an event for the Ottawa chapter of CAPS, The Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. A few weeks ago, I had been looking online for any local resources for speaking, found CAPS's website, and contacted them for information. The person I was speaking to recommended coming to this event as a guest, so I eagerly registered. I figured it would be a good networking opportunity at the very least.

I ended up getting there early, and was quite nervous. While the CAPS members who were there set things up, stood off to the side, trying my hardest just to find somewhere I could hide and read for a bit. The members must have sensed my apprehension because they immediately got me involved and put me to work setting up a book table.

As more people arrived, the networking began in earnest. Everyone there came up to me, asking me what I did and what brought me to the event. They were all exceedingly friendly, and seemed genuinely interested in hearing about my speaking, writing, and even Joubert syndrome in general! I may have even made some good disability-related connections.

The first speaker of the day was the organization's national president, who gave a rousing presentation about personal and community values, and how they could relate to each individual's speaking careers.

After some group work (it felt like I was back in school!), was the pizza lunch! Since it was CAPS's 20th anniversary, as well as Canada's 150th, they threw a birthday of sorts, with cake, singing, and even a manikin challenge (which was odd, but kind of fun).

After that was the event's second presenter, a woman who spoke about business development and how to delegate tasks in order to avoid stress. Now, this one made me seem a little out of place at first, seeing as how I don't have an actual business yet, but the speaker did a good job of tailoring some points of her presentation to things I could do later on. As an exercise, I even committed to joining a professional organization, CAPS or something else, by the end of the summer.

The final presentation of the day was given by a psychotherapist/life coach, who talked about how to cope with various issues that may arise in our lives, and how to deal with those around us when they have similar issues. This actually proved to be rather helpful, for reasons I won't get into.

When the day was done, I exchanged cards with people and they encouraged me to attend future events.

I've still got a long way to go, but this event definitely gave me the clearest view that, one day sooner than later, I will be professional with my disability awareness.

Cheers!