Maybe it was the crazy storm patterns that dotted New England, but last week’s news about employment opportunities for people with disabilities — whether it was in the private sector, the government, or for organizations that serve these individuals — was rolling in like dark, heavy thunderclouds.
But it’s a new dawn and a new day, like the song says; and the resilience of people with disabilities and those who advocate for them remains as strong and upbeat as young Matt Woodrum, who, along with his fellow classmates at Colonial Hills Elementary in Ohio, became a worldwide sensation for this Youtube video:
In his Columbus Dispatch article about the race, reporter Quang Truong points out that running the 400-meter race was an optional event that many students chose not to participate in. But Woodrum elected to run in the race, as he tells Truong, “just because you’re disabled doesn’t mean you can’t try.” And when you have the support system Woodrum had cheering him on, trying and succeeding become one and the same.
With young Matt’s example in mind, one can’t help but feel hopeful that the continued efforts to make life matter for individuals with disabilities through job opportunities will eventually break through like the early summer sun. Just last week alone, The Leadership Conference sent this letter to congressional leaders urging them to maintain funding for job-training programs that would benefit these people.
According to this press release put out by AbilityOne, individuals with disabilities also made more than 170 visits to congressional representatives last week during a three-day conference in the Capitol. Their message of the reciprocally beneficial relationship that comes with hiring people with disabilities was summed up by Bob Chamberlin, president and CEO of NISH, which organized the conference:
Individuals with disabilities are able to enjoy the financial benefits of a new paycheck, participate more fully in society, and contribute to the economy. And, society as a whole benefits when people with disabilities reduce their dependence on government support and join the ranks of taxpayers.
Similar efforts continue on the state level. Sally Johnston of the organization called Disabled in Action of Greater Syracuse Inc., wrote in a blog for Syracuse.com that 125 people with disabilities visited Albany just after Memorial Day weekend to help “put the governor’s disability agenda back on track.”
Meanwhile in Tennessee, Shelby Residential and Vocational Services (SRVS) just cut the ribbon on an 80,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility to provide more programs for individuals with disabilities and their families. Aisling Maki’s article in the Memphis Daily News says the vocational training program includes a contract services division, where workers perform various packing and shipping duties for area businesses to earn money as well as “hone their work ethic and teamwork skills to prepare them for employment.”
So, next time the news cycle dumps a week’s-worth of disappointment like so many raindrops, keep Matt Woodrum and all the other individual rays of sunshine in mind, and don’t stop trying to make life matter!
Comments?
Image by Mr. Littlehand, used under its Creative Commons license.