Friday, October 16, 2009

Social Media

Your Social Media Power Belt: 5 Powerful Tools You Need For Your Job SearchRead more: http://jobmob.co.il/blog/social-media-job-search-tools/?goback=.nvr_1839561_1#ixzz0U8p38EN6

Saturday, September 5, 2009

My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am.
~Author Unknown
In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi human. The point of it is to open oneself to becoming partly a dog.
~Edward Hoagland

Friday, September 4, 2009

"Always act like you're wearing an invisible crown."
-Author Unknown

Friday, August 21, 2009

Miley Cyrus - The Climb - Official Music Video (HQ) Video by Miley Cyrus - MySpace Video

Miley Cyrus - The Climb - Official Music Video (HQ) Video by Miley Cyrus - MySpace Video

Shared via AddThis

Tips on how to treat people w/disabilities

DISABILITY TERMINOLOGY:
PEOPLE-FIRST LANGUAGE


INSTEAD OF SAYING: USE:

Disabled -OR- crippled ­-OR- Person with a disability -OR-
Lame -OR- afflicted -OR - handicapped Person who has a disability

Confined to a wheelchair -OR- Person who uses a wheelchair -OR-
Wheelchair-bound Person who has a wheelchair

The mentally retarded People who have mental retardation

The blind Person with blindness -OR-
Person with low vision

The deaf -OR- deaf mute -OR- Person who is deaf -OR-
deaf and dumb Person with a hearing impairment

Invalid Person who is paralyzed -OR-
Person who has paraplegia/quadriplegia

Crazy -OR- insane -OR- nuts Person who has a mental illness



DISABILITY ETIQUETTE

Why do we need disability terminology and/or disability etiquette? Because one in five Americans has a disability. That means approximately 49 million Americans have a disability, which makes people with disabilities the largest single minority group in the US. Kansas and Missouri have an even higher percentage (KS – 28%, MO – 32%). Only about 10% of all disabilities are visible. You are probably interacting with someone with a disability every day, perhaps without even knowing it. Disability doesn’t discriminate; it affects all people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds as well as socioeconomic statuses. Everyone is at risk to having a disability in their lifetime.

People with disabilities in this country are still constantly striving for the same rights as those without disabilities. Many do work and many more would like to work. Those who work are constantly praised by their employers as being hard workers. However, many employers still fear hiring people with disabilities and often don’t see their abilities.

Fear is also a hindrance in the community and in social activities; this isolates people with disabilities. Many people with disabilities are left alone at social functions or workplace gatherings because we are afraid to get to know them. If we remember that they are people who happen to have a condition that causes them to do things a little differently than we do, and are NOT the disability themselves, then we could avoid missing out on some great friendships and business associates.

Sometimes we are not comfortable around people with disabilities because we don’t know how to act, what to say, or what to do. Two simple rules exist:
Treat a person with a disability like a PERSON.
If you’re not sure how to talk to or assist a person with a disability, ASK them.


ETIQUETTE TIPS TO REMEMBER

· People with disabilities are like anyone else; they have different personalities, likes, and dislikes. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, just as with anyone you meet.

· It is always appropriate to shake hands when meeting people – even if they have limited hand use or paralysis. You may touch their hand to acknowledge their presence, or shake their left hand if extended in lieu of the right.

· Before assisting people with disabilities, always ask if they require, need, or want any assistance. If they do, listen carefully to their instructions. Do not interfere with a person’s full control over his/her assistive devices. Never move crutches, walkers, or communication boards out of the reach of their owners without permission.

· Do not lean on a person’s wheelchair or assistive device. This is considered part of his/her personal space. Just as you don’t like to feel crowded or invaded, neither do others.

· If speaking to a person using a wheelchair for longer than a brief introduction, try to sit down so that you may converse at eye level. It is difficult for anyone to look up for long periods of time.

· When speaking to people with visual difficulties or blindness, always begin by telling them your name and where you are. If offering assistance when walking, let them take your arm and tell them when you are approaching obstacles, inclines, steps, or turns. If they use a guide or service dog, do not pet the dog. This is a working animal to assist its owner and should not be distracted or petted.

· When communicating with people who are deaf or hearing-impaired, speak directly to the person and not to his/her companion or sign language interpreter. The sign language interpreter is being used as a tool for communication, much in the same way as a telephone. Many people who are deaf or hearing-impaired can also read lips, so be sure to speak in a normal manner and avoid visually hindering communication, such as having your hands near your face or food in your mouth. Do not shout or speak into the other person’s ear. Body movements and facial expressions assist in comprehension. If communication is still not understood, it is always acceptable to write your message.

· Do not be embarrassed to use common expressions like “see you later,” “have to run,” or “have you heard”. People with disabilities consistently use these phrases in their conversations.

· When speaking to people who have speech difficulties, do not pretend to understand what they are saying if you do not. Simply ask them to repeat what they said.

· People with disabilities normally do not want their disability to be the first topic of conversation. They will gladly share details of their disability after you have become better acquainted.

· Remember that not all disabilities are visible. Just because someone doesn’t look as if he/she has a disability, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

· Always remember to use PEOPLE FIRST language.

Always let the person with a disability guide you – remember to ask what terminology is preferred or what assistance may be needed. The person should be your best resource. You also have a right to set limits on what you can and cannot do (i.e. lifting, pushing, etc). Your relationship with a person with a disability should be like any other reciprocal relationship.

Changing your attitude about people with disabilities by portraying them as regular folks will go a long way toward changing the attitudes of employers, politicians, and society. Let’s help overcome the barriers, both physical and attitudinal.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Assistance Dog Etiquette

In general, when you meet a person with an assistance dog, please remember that the dog is working. You don’t want anything to interrupt the dog from performing its tasks.
How should people behave around an assistance dog?The Americans With Disabilities Act guarantees people with disabilities the right to be accompanied by a service animal in all areas open to the general public. Service animal means any assistance dog or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Here are some tips to follow when meeting or approaching a working assistance dog and his or her partner:
• Don't be afraid of the dog. Assistance Dogs from organizations like KSDS, Inc. and other members of Assistance Dogs International are carefully tested and selected for appropriate temperament. They have been professionally trained to have excellent manners.
• Don't touch the dog without asking permission first! This is a distraction and may prevent the dog from tending to the human partner.
• Never feed the dog. It may be on a special diet. KSDS dogs are generally on a feeding schedule as well. Food is the ultimate distraction to the working dog and can jeopardize the working assistance dog team.
• Speak to the person, not the assistance dog! Most handlers do not mind talking about assistance dogs and their dog specifically if they have the time.
• Do not whistle or make sounds to the dog as this again may provide a dangerous distraction.
• Never make assumptions about the individual's intelligence, feelings or capabilities.
Be aware of potential architectural barriers to the individual. Be respectful of the assistance dog team. They are a working pair going about their daily lives

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Fairydust
Determined, hard worker, fast learner, compassionate & knowledgeable about the rights of persons with disabilities, good at finding resources, knowledgeable about writing letters to the editor
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