Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

On August 29, all eyes were turned to Washington, DC as our nation collectively commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the historic March on Washington.

In his stirring remarks, President Obama shared the path that the marchers had walked to Washington, advocating for change in a non-violent way. And he made a point that resonated particularly with me, a person with a disability:

“Because they marched, America became more free and more fair -- not just for African Americans, but for women and Latinos, Asians and Native Americans; for Catholics, Jews, and Muslims; for gays, for Americans with a disability.  America changed for you and for me.  And the entire world drew strength from that example, whether the young people who watched from the other side of an Iron Curtain and would eventually tear down that wall, or the young people inside South Africa who would eventually end the scourge of apartheid.”

America has changed for people with disabilities.  We have come a long way since 1963, when people with disabilities couldn’t even participate in the March on Washington, because the city wasn’t accessible.  We have come a long way since the days before restrooms were accessible in restaurants, shopping malls and office buildings. We have come a long way since President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, and his son approved the ADA Amendment Act during his second term.

I am constantly reminded of just how far we have come.  Ball State University, from where I am a proud graduate and a current distinguished fellow, is one of the nation’s most accessible college campuses.  This semester, I am teaching “The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and its Amendments: Supporting a Sustainable Lifestyle for People with Disabilities,” (POLS 403/408/503).  My students reflect the diversity of this country, and as I listened to our President, I was struck by how those who marched on Washington paved the way for my students. 

Yet, as President Obama and others have shared, we still have much, much more to do.  Unemployment for people with disabilities is still is disproportionally higher than for the general population. Only 17.8 percent of persons with a disability were employed in 2012.  Many people with disabilities, particularly those who pursued college and graduate degrees, are chronically underemployed and unemployed. They struggle to earn a viable living. Some are forced to rely on public assistance. 

We are making progress, however.  Earlier this year, Indianapolis city leaders included the Disability Enterprise Category to the city’s contracting program with overwhelming bipartisan support.  Young people with disabilities are empowering themselves to compete in current job market.  More organizations are adding – or considering adding – internship opportunities for students with disabilities.

Like the marchers from 1963, we will not be deterred.  We will keep on marching. 

How Indianapolis is Creating More Entrepreneurship Opportunities for People with Disabilities

The Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council recently approved a proposal to create more entrepreneurship opportunities for people with disabilities. Led by Council President Maggie Lewis and Vice President John Barth, the Council unanimously agreed to include the Disability Enterprise Category to the city’s contracting program. Within days, Mayor Greg Ballard signed it into law.   

This bipartisan action by our city leaders marks a significant milestone for people with disabilities in Indianapolis. However, it doesn’t come as a surprise. For generations, our community’s elected and civic leaders have been committed to fostering a climate of accessibility and inclusion in both public and private places. 

From curb cuts to ramps, Indianapolis’ physical infrastructure makes it a remarkably convenient city for people with disabilities to navigate. Our athletic facilities, which are among the best in the nation, provide an unparalleled sports experience. The Cultural Trail allows people with disabilities to fully participate in all our downtown has to offer. Accessible hotels, museums, parks and arts experiences abound.

Proof of this good work is Indianapolis’ 2009 recognition with the Accessible America Award by the National Organization on Disability, naming our city the most disability-friendly in the country.

Yet, more than 20 years after President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990, people with disabilities still lag behind. 

Even though we have the ability and the desire to participate in our economy, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is disproportionally higher than for the general population. Only 17.8 percent of persons with a disability were employed in 2012, while 63.9 percent of persons without a disability had a job. Many people with disabilities, particularly those who pursued college and graduate degrees, are chronically underemployed and unemployed. They struggle to earn a viable living. Some are forced to rely on public assistance. 

At Ball State University, where I am both an alumnus and a Distinguished Fellow, we impress upon our students with disabilities that they must be empowered and self-reliant. They must go the extra mile to not just secure an internship, but to ensure they have reliable transportation to that internship, and fully communicate any special needs to supervisors and colleagues. They understand that securing meaningful employment won’t be easy and they are willing to work for it.

All too often, we see partisan rancor at the federal and state level over so-called “entitlement programs,” that millions of Americans, including some with disabilities, have come to rely. Perhaps lawmakers’ time – and our taxpayer dollars – would be better spent developing common sense solutions that help keep people with disabilities off of public assistance and engaged in sustainable employment.

Our leaders in Indianapolis understand better than most that a common sense approach puts people to work. Including people with disabilities as a Disability Enterprise Category will come at little or no cost to the taxpayers. It’s an example of good government in action.

Because of their foresight, people with disabilities who own businesses now have the opportunity to join their counterparts – racial and ethnic minorities, women, and veterans – to participate in the process by which our local government has elected to diversify its contracts with vendors. According to the Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employed persons with a disability were more likely to be self-employed in 2012 than those without a disability.

Our Councillors and Mayor have sent a strong message to people with disabilities who possess an entrepreneurial spirit:  the playing field is more than level. People with disabilities can actually play in the game.

Fourth of July 2013

The struggle for economic equality has always been difficult for Americans relegated to the second tier of our economy based upon the bias of our political leaders and yes, their constituents. Yet, as always is celebrated this time of year, the great American experiment continues to demand that all men are created equal.

On June 11, 1963, President John Kennedy took up the issue of civil rights when he said, “We are confronted primarily with a moral issue. It is as old as the Scriptures and is as clear as the American Constitution.”  A little more than a year later, President Lyndon Johnson signed the landmark Civil Rights Act. 

Twenty-seven years after President Kennedy’s comments, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990, finally opening the door to people with disabilities.  Twenty-three years later, people with disabilities still lag behind.  In 2012, only 17.8 percent of persons with a disability were employed. In contrast, the employment ratio for persons without a disability was 63.9 percent. 

Many people with disabilities, particularly those who pursued college and graduate degrees, are chronically underemployed and unemployed.  They struggle to earn a viable living.  Most are forced to rely on public assistance.  The acceptance of public assistance becomes the bondage of disability.  

On April 22, 2013, a bipartisan action by city leaders marked a significant milestone for people with disabilities in Indianapolis.  Our elected leaders moved toward a commitment to fostering a climate of inclusion by creating entrepreneurial opportunities for people with disabilities. Led by Council President Maggie Lewis and Vice President John Barth, the Council unanimously agreed to include the Disability Enterprise Category to the city’s contracting program.  Mayor Greg Ballard signed it into law on May 2, 2013. 

Because of their foresight, people with disabilities who own businesses now have the opportunity to join their counterparts – racial and ethnic minorities, women, and veterans – to participate in the process by which our local government has elected to diversify its contracts with vendors. 

Our leaders in Indianapolis understand better than most that a common sense approach puts people with disabilities to work.  All too often, we see partisan rancor at the federal and state level over the so-called “entitlement programs,” that millions of Americans with disabilities have come to rely.  Perhaps lawmakers’ time – and our taxpayer dollars – would be better spent developing common sense solutions that help keep people with disabilities off of public assistance and engaged in sustainable employment.

We, in Indianapolis, continue to send a strong message that people with disabilities are cherished and that like the rest of America, and supported by our Constitution, we possess an entrepreneurial spirit that will help us secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.  Because, as President Kennedy so eloquently said, “We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

The Fehribach Awards

 

The Fehribach Award winners pause for a photo following the awards ceremony.  (Left to right:  Sifat Baig, Frances Janovitz, Megan Miller, Andrew Neylon, Yaw Owusu-Akyaw, Mary Beth Fehribach, and Greg Fehribach.) 

 Mary Beth and I were privileged to present the 2013 Fehribach Awards to five exceptional students with disabilities at Ball State University. These students are leaders on and off campus and their recognition demonstrate their early commitment to their academics and their community.  At the ceremony, we emphasized that responsibility comes with recognition.  These award winners have accepted that role.  

As you will see through their accomplishments, they recognize that through support of their University and their individual activities, they have set in motion a nexus of relationships that are essential for their long-term success as professionals and as neighbors. We encouraged them to expand their networks of support, indicating that the creation and sustaining of relationships will guide them in their personal and professional lives.

It is difficult for today’s students to obtain meaningful and sustainable employment. As a new graduate with a disability, that challenge is very real. We continue to be optimistic about the future for our students. They know they have to work harder and smarter to obtain and retain employment in today’s market. The networks they develop today are the first step in their commitment to a meaningful lifetime of quality employment.  

I’m pleased to share the 2013 Fehribach Award winners with you:

A senior Psychology major, Sifat Baig has served as a research assistant and participated in a research project designed to explore the college decisions of wheelchair users.  He is a founding member of the Ball State Power Soccer team.

A senior with a double major in Elementary and Special Education, Frances Janovitz has been recognized by the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Golden Key National Honor Society.  She also served as co-president for the Student Council for Exceptional Children, and was involved in the selecting the director of the Office of Teaching and Education Services.

A senior majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Megan Miller has the distinction of maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average.  She has received numerous academic recognitions, and volunteered with the Pilot Club of Muncie, a unique service organization committed to helping those with brain-related disorders.

A senior English major, Andrew Neylon maintained a 3.8 grade point average, while remaining actively involved in campus life.  He worked for WCRD, the University’s student-run radio station and served as a captain on the Ball State Speech Team.  He also was a member of the Freshman Reader selection committee and academically mentored freshmen.

A senior Special Education major with a 3.8 grade point average, Yaw Owusu-Akyaw served as a member of the Cycling Club, Club Japan, Cardinal Filmworks, and Late Nite.  He was employed with the Student Center, assisting in Building Operations, and was involved with Education in Action and the Student Council for Exceptional Children.  

Congratulations to the 2013 Fehribach Award winners!