With unemployment at levels not seen since the Great Depression, the need for government benefits has grown from a stream into a flood. We are treated to daily pictures of food banks overwhelmed and unemployment offices incapable of keeping up. All this has made things even more difficult for those who are seeking federal, state …
Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities and/or people who are perceived to be disabled. Ableism characterizes persons who are defined by their disabilities as inferior to the non-disabled. Ableism refers to “discrimination in favor of able-bodied people,” according to the Oxford English Dictionary. But the reality of ableism extends beyond literal discriminatory acts …
While I am the new President and CEO of United Spinal Association, neither I nor United Spinal are new to a commitment to racial equity and diversity inclusion. For years the focus of my work with my past employer, The Coca-Cola Company, was inclusiveness and intersectionality with disabilities and a wide spectrum of diversity. United …
Black History Month 2021 Being Worthy of Dr. Woodson’s Relentless Spirit Read More »
ABLE accounts encourage and assist individuals with disabilities and their families in saving private funds to help maintain health, independence, and quality of life and provide secure funding for disability-related expenses. These accounts are tax-exempt and a qualified ABLE program established and maintained by a state, or by an agency of a state, pays for …
United Spinal Association today announced Vincenzo (Enzo) Piscopo, an experienced professional in diversity, inclusion and social causes, has been appointed president and CEO by the organization’s board of directors. Piscopo will begin his tenure as United Spinal’s president and CEO on November 16, 2020 replacing James Weisman, who is retiring after 40 years of service to the disability community as …
On July 26th, 2020, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrates its 30th Anniversary. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the …
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Read More »
Change is made by the people who speak up. That’s the most important principle of advocacy. People can believe very strongly in a principle or an idea, but unless they express it, those with the power to make that idea a reality will never know just how much support that idea has. We at United …
Self-employment is a solution for the person who wants to be self sufficient, productive and to be able to contribute to the economy but have challenges within the confines of a workplace setting. Issues such as transportation, dependence on caregivers and limiting conditions associated with the disability and perseverance of one’s own health are all …
Over this past weekend, I was reflecting on my current situation and realized that I was happy and content. But when I looked to the future and thought, would I still be this happy and content a year from now or two years if everything stayed the same. Not quite sure so I asked myself …
During the “normal” days before the pandemic, if we were to be at home it was ok because if we got bored or had a bit of cabin fever we would just go out somewhere. But knowing that we can’t do that or shouldn’t be dong that changes our mindset and we know the best …
