The Student’s Perspective

This semester, I had the opportunity to teach a political science/legal studies course at Ball State University that analyzed the politics dealing with Americans with disabilities and how our issues affected the 2012 Presidential race. 

This class is an integral part of The Disability Project, an initiative of Ball State’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs. Special thanks are in order to Dr. Sally Jo Vasicko and Dr. Ray Scheele for their continued and enthusiastic support of the Project.

As the 2012 fall semester winds down, I am pleased to have the permission from some of my students to share their thoughts about the class with you.  Enjoy a learner’s perspective, as it is an honor to be an educator.

“…prior to taking this course, I had almost no knowledge of anything regarding disabilities. I believed that the issues facing persons with disabilities simply did not pertain to me, but I was wrong. This class made me an advocate, and I will support people with disabilities.”

Heather Kelver, junior, LaPorte, IN

“Without classes like this, there is not an opportunity for my generation and following generations to understand the importance of a supportive government behind all kinds of diversity. As an individual with diversity, I understand that acceptance by all will not come over night; but learning that I have a government that will help give me a voice and help me succeed gives me hope.”

Jamie Barnes, junior, Lebanon, IN

“The Americans with Disabilities Act course at Ball State University opened my eyes to the past struggles, current goals, and future hopes for individuals with disabilities. This class specifically allowed me to understand society and myself in new ways.”

Kellie Snyder, senior, Troy, MI

               

            “…and as a person with a disability, I see classes and areas of study focused on disability as a vital part of the academic process. It seems unfinished and lacking to offer areas of study in all other major minority sectors and to exclude disability.”

Syd Comer, senior, Scottsburg, IN

“…I would say a class like this is a viable part of today's academia. For universities looking for a diverse educational experience, this is a great way to achieve that.”

Jacob Caudill, senior, Cambridge City, IN

            “This great nation of ours was built upon the foundation of Freedom, Justice, and Equality… In order to preserve what the Founding Fathers intended for us we must fight for the equality of all. To begin this process we must educate ourselves.”

Seth Hinshaw, junior, Spiceland, IN

On behalf of The Fehribach Group, happiest of holidays.

How Landmark Legislation Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities

On July 26^th, our country marked the 22^nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  It was – and continues to be – a landmark piece of civil rights legislation.

Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to see the ADA in action.  I’ve written before  about how the ADA is continually evolving, literally changing for the better how people with disabilities live their lives and plan their futures.  In June, people with disabilities were directly impacted by another piece of landmark legislation when the United States Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The ADA literally opened doors for people with disabilities.  The ACA has leveled the playing field, making it possible for people with disabilities to actually play in the game.  Simply put, the ACA stands to have lasting repercussions for people with disabilities and their loved ones.

 

Under the ACA, young adults can remain on their parents’ health insurance until age 26.  At TheDisability Project, we recognize that it takes a longer time for a person with a disability to find sustainable employment.  Our students often have to work with potential employers to overcome misconceptions about accommodating a person with a disability in the workplace.  The opportunity for extended benefits gives our students a transitional period between graduation and their first job.  Equally important is the peace of mind a parent gains in carrying their child with a disability on their health insurance coverage until age 26. 

Because of the ACA, insurance companies can no longer deny health insurance coverage to children because of a pre-existing condition.  They can’t deny adults with a pre-existing condition, either.  Pre-existing conditions can run the spectrum.  Perhaps it’s a child with autism.  Perhaps it’s a mother who beat breast cancer.  For a parent of a child with a disability – or even for a person with a disability – a pre-existing condition often restricts rather than expands employment opportunities.  Now, one can take that entrepreneurial risk without the fear of how to care for a loved one with a pre-existing condition.  Or, they can simply obtain health insurance coverage without the prevailing concern of how a pre-existing condition will impact their family’s financial future.

Finally, the ACA eliminates the lifetime dollar limit on health insurance coverage.    Whether you are like me and were born with a disability or it is the result of a catastrophic event such as an accident or injury, the costs of living with a disability can be exponential.  The lifetime cap has always been a looming concern for people with disabilities, their loved ones and friends.  Its elimination is a significant milestone in the journey of people with disabilities. 

As our population ages and remains active, healthcare coverage for all Americans – including those with disabilities – has become increasingly important for us to live meaningful and productive lives.  These two landmark acts undoubtedly will continue to play a key role as we collectively continue to move forward. 

The Disability Project: A Progress Report

One of the initiatives of which I’m pleased to be a part is The Disability Project, which was created in 2009 by Ball State’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs. 

When we launched The Disability Project, we set our sights on identifying, addressing and eliminating the barriers to employment that college educated people with disabilities often face.  The Disability Project was initially funded by a three-year, combined state and federal grant of $463,000 from the State of Indiana. While the project’s initial results were promising, funding was discontinued in early 2010 due to state budget cuts.

The Disability Project has continued to thrive with the support of businesses and organizations committed to our work.  From the outset, the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation has charged us with identifying how we can better foster self-esteem and self-confidence among people with disabilities as it relates to securing employment. We also have received ongoing support from the Marion County Election Board to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the political process. And, we recently secured a commitment from The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, to strengthen our efforts through Ball State's campus in downtown Indianapolis. 

That's why it's an honor and a privilege to introduce you to The Disability Project's first progress report.  I hope you take time to review the report, and encourage you to share your thoughts with me. The report shares the process these students explore on their path to self-reliance.  Importantly, it reflects the ongoing commitment of Ball State and the Bowen Center to teach - and prepare - students with disabilities to be business and community leaders. 

Since we began this journey three years ago, we have spent countless hours - both in and out of the classroom - in helping our students learn to help themselves find sustainable and meaningful employment.  While we are proud of their progress and our progress, we still have much, much more to do.

I look forward to updating you on our progress. 

The Fehribach Awards

Recipients of the 2012 Fehribach Awards gather for a photo with Greg and Mary Beth Fehribach.  Bottom row, left to right:  Laura Walter, Allen Caldwell, Jr., Greg Fehribach and Syndey Comer.  Top row, left to right:  Mary Beth Fehribach, Jacob Caudill, Seth Johnson and Patricia Kupchik. 

Recently, Mary Beth and I had the opportunity to honor six outstanding students at Ball State University with the Fehribach Awards.  This award and scholarship program recognizes students with disabilities for their academic achievements and extracurricular activities. 

I’ve had the privilege and pleasure to come into contact with many of the award winners through my work at Ball State’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs.  Engaging with these students, who are the next generation of community, business and political leaders, is one of the highlights of the semester. 

Working with Larry Markle and Ball State’s Disabled Student Development team, we honored the following students in 2012:

• Allen Caldwell, a senior telecommunications major, is a founding member of the Ball State power soccer team and has twice competed in the national championships.  Allen is involved in residence hall activities and has served as a mentor to new students with disabilities.
• Jacob Caudill, a sophomore business major, serves as the vice president of Disabled Students in Action and is a senator in the Student Government Association.
• Sydney Comer, a junior journalism major, is the current president of Disabled Students in Action.  Not only did she grow the organization in the last year, she played a key role in supporting Disability Awareness Month programming in March. 
• Seth Johnson, a senior journalism major, is a member of the Honors College.  Seth writes for the Ball State Daily News, the News Scholars program and a music blog. 
• Patricia Kupchik, a senior special education major, will be student teaching next fall.  She is active with Disabled Students in Action, the Student Council for Exceptional Children, and the Faculty Mentorship Program.
• Laura Walter, a senior political science major, serves as a resident assistant and a member of the Oxfam Club and Navigators College Ministry.  She has traveled to Bahrain and Honduras, and hopes to intern this summer in Washington, D.C.

At Ball State, which has an unparalleled commitment to students with disabilities, these young people have learned firsthand the importance of taking entrepreneurship and immersive learning to the next level.   I have great confidence that these students will succeed in finding meaningful and sustainable employment throughout their lives.  At the same time, I firmly believe they will be torchbearers in educating and engaging the communities in which we live and work about the economics of inclusion – and why it matters. 

Congratulations to the 2012 Fehribach Award winners!

“A Chance to See Disabilities as Assets”

Last week, The New York Times ran a piece by Peggy Klaus titled, “A Chance to See Disabilities as Assets.” Ms. Klaus recently gave a lecture at the University of California, Berkeley to students with disabilities in its Disabled Students Program. These students, like those I work with at Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs, are educated, engaged and ready to enter the workforce.

However, we all know it’s tough to find – and keep – a job. For students with disabilities, the challenges are even greater. According to the article, the percentage of people with disabilities who are employed is 17.9 percent, compared to 63.7 percent for people without disabilities.

What Ms. Klaus discovers is that people with disabilities are uniquely positioned to succeed in today’s current job market. Often a student’s very condition – and their ability to use creative problem solving skills at managing daily life – can demonstrate how well they will be able to adapt to the workplace. The student also must take the initiative in proactively addressing the concerns of prospective employers.

Here in the Midwest, there are a number of elements coming together that point to improvements in not just the economy, but the future of disabled students. The Bowen Center’s Disability Project is providing similar mentoring and coaching to students. At the same time, our state’s capital city is one of the most accessible in the nation, with generations of city leaders who have exercised a strong commitment to access and inclusion.

On the heels of the Super Bowl, which went the full mile to provide fans with disabilities accessible accommodations, I firmly believe we are poised for improving this very critical economic disparity. Ms. Klaus also agrees, closing her article with the following:

“If more of us can see disability as both a challenge and an asset, the nation will be well on the way to fully using the job skills of all of its citizens.”