Re: community integration for people with disabilities

February 12, 2011

Hi JJ,

Thanks for sharing what the Head of Diversity at the large corporation told

you...did he/she also share how exactly, if at all, are they going to track the

influence of the disability consumer on their bottom line and reputation? I'd

love to know how they see that working. I agree with you and them completely,

that disability hiring will only improve when business people sense there is a

business-related need or benefit.

So far, sadly, I don't think our 'community' often puts it's money where it's

mouth is. Have you heard, for example, of any JJsList Bridgebuilders getting

increased business or positive publicity because of their hiring or customer

service? I'm not trying to put a damper on things, but I do wonder about this

locally in the western burbs, too. Through NapervilleWorks and other

employer-recognition groups we do a variety of awareness-related things:

quarterly advertising in the local paper and thru two of the largest public

school districts in IL a list of employers who have hired our students with DDs,

City Council proclamations with employees who have DDs coming forward to give

public comments about where they work and how great it is; etc etc. But I'm

almost afraid to ask any of them if this has generated either of the above

consequences (more business, better rep).

Do I shop at our local Walmart, for example, over the local Target, because I

know they employ a young man who uses a wheelchair as a greeter at the Walmart &

I have no knowledge of any disability hires at our local Target? Absolutely,

despite the fact that I'd ordinarily favor the Target store (cleaner, more

product I like, etc). I once drove past two Panera's on my way to the one store

that I knew had hired a local student from one of our high schools -- to buy

about $200 worth of holiday gift cards -- and I spoke to the store manager

personally, told her why I'd come, etc and she seemed a little taken aback but

pleased.

But here's the conondrum:

Does the local or other Walmarts know or have any way of knowing that I shop

there because of Craig (the greeter?). One time I stopped a manager and told

him -- did that somehow get shared up the chain or did he resign 2 days later

without telling a soul? I have no way of knowing. Did my glowing comments to

the Panera manager make a difference? Again, I have no way of knowing.

Guess what I'm wondering here is do we, collectively, need to take more steps to

inform, in writing, the higher-up's at these businesses that we see and we spend

because of either customer service or employment? Do we need an Action Alert

kind of campaign to get people moved to action? Do we have the energy and the

will?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this, as always.

Laurie

From: J J Hanley

Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 11:41 AM

IPADDUnite

Subject: community integration for people with disabilities

Thanks Ellen for posting the article, and thanks to all of you in advance for

posting reviews about the disability-aware (or not!) service of your local

businesses at www.jjslist.com. This is an easy and free way to make a real

difference.

We hear a lot about the difficulty of finding employment for people with

disabilties, and I can tell you from my experience in this field that businesses

are much more likely to hire an individual with a disability when they see the

bottom line benefits to providing good customer service to people with

disabilities. That means people with and without disabilities patronizing their

businesses because of their good disability-aware service: are they

welcoming? do they give extra time when needed? do they hire or have

volunteers with disabilities? are they physically accessible? etc.,etc.

The head of diversity of one of our country's largest corporations told me that

they want their employee base to reflect their customer base and that when they

see the influence of the disability consumer on their reputation and bottom

line, they will be much more agressive about disability hiring.

Even if your loved one will not be seeking competitive employment, he or she has

a right to disability-aware customer service and you have a powerful consumer

voice in letting businesses know that you expect in disability-aware service.

It only gets better for your family when it gets better for all. Post your

reviews at www.jjslist.com.

Thanks,

JJ

February 12, 2011

If I hear from an employer/HR person " My company will hire more disabled people

when I have more customers who are disabled, " I'll be tempted to point to my son

and ask " Do you think he's disabled? Are you waiting until you have more

customers who are Visibly disabled, or just disabled? "

[insert stat of those under 65 with disabilities here, folks.]

Back when Neal was in high school, I persuaded the manager of the local shoe

store to hire him part-time, to take apart shipments and restock, just a few

hours a week. She knew Neal well and gladly did so. When school started up in

the fall, Neal's jobs coordinator from the high school stopped by, chatted with

the manager, and said, " From now on, my whole family is buying all their shoes

here, because you gave this kid a chance. "

And Ellen, I know someone w/disabilities who works at the Wheaton Target.

-Gail

________________________________

From: J J Hanley <jjhanley@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Sat, February 12, 2011 11:41:02 AM