Community Integration for People with Disabilities

[Guest guest]

HI Laurie and Friends,

Laurie asked, " 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? "

Yes!  And here I shamelessly promote www.jjslist.com as your easy, free tool to

do so - not even postage is needed. 

Understand that the businesses who can make the biggest moves are becoming very

aware of social media and its power to impact their companies' reputations. 

They PAY social media people to monitor their reputations on-line.  So, when you

post a review on www.jjslist.com about that Walmart that hires people with

disabilities (over Target!), or that Panera, or that shoe store that gets your

friends' and families' business because they gave a young man a chance, we TWEET

about it and use all our social media tools to let the world know what is being

said by the disability community about the disability awareness of

businesses.  It goes way beyond a letter, it influences the thinking of people

who DON " T have disability in their lives but who like this idea of

disability-aware service.  That's so important, 'cause aren't we sick of

preaching to the choir? 

And, it's starting to have a much bigger impact.  Companies that are now

following our disability-aware message because of the reviews on

jjslist.com include:  Dominick's, Denny's, Dunkin Donuts, Home Depot,

Mc's, Wildfire Grill, Potbelly's, and many others.  Collectively our

reviews WILL change the course of business thinking. 

Is it overnight?  No.  It's a steady, process of consolidating the power of our

consumer voices to make the hard work on employment that Laurie and others are

doing much more successful over time.   Here's a great story:

A young adult with dd and his support worker found a Duxler Complete Auto Care

in the jjslist.com Disability Awareness Directory.  One of their

" disability-aware " features is " hires or would like to hire qualified

individuals with disabilities. "   The young man contacted Duxler, and began a

dialogue about an internship.  

When you post your reviews, it's easy,  it's free and it will make a difference

for everyone.

Thanks,

JJ