Common Ground hosts human trafficking awareness session

By JERRY WOLFFE

Common Ground is participating in a task force to raise awareness of human trafficking and co-sponsoring a women’s networking event, “Chained — A Program on Human Trafficking,” with human trafficking survivor Theresa Flores.

The event is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 26 at the Village Club of Bloomfield Hills, 190 East Long Lake Road. A portion of the $90 ticket price will be donated to Common Ground’s Victim’s Assistance Program, which provides 24-hour access to counselors and advocates for victims of crime, domestic and sexual abuse and workplace violence.

To purchase tickets, call (248) 451-3736 or visit www.commongroundhelps.org. 

Flores, who was a teenager from Birmingham when she was kidnapped, will share her

story of trafficking and being a sex slave. It is a compelling look at a billion-dollar industry that forces thousands around the world and in southeastern Michigan into activities against their will, a Common Ground spokeswoman said.

"Every day, the horror of human trafficking is perpetrated by profit-seeking predators who exploit children, women and  men for sex and labor services. Increasingly, traffickers conduct their illicit operations in Michigan,” said Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.

“Human traffickers take advantage of technology to remain anonymous and keep their victims hidden in the shadows,” he added. "Our daughters, friends and neighbors are forced into prostitution, domestic servitude and other forced labor by traffickers who take advantage of them."

Social cause of this century likely to be gaining rights for those with disabilities

By JERRY WOLFFE

The social justice movement of this century is likely to focus on acquiring equal rights and opportunities for the 57 million people in the United States and 1 billion globally who have a disability.

People with disabilities are the largest minority group in America and anyone can become a member at any time, according to Disability Funders Network. The DFN is a national membership and philanthropic advocacy organization that seeks equality and rights for individuals with disabilities.

The economic data uncovered by the DFN, which was established in 1994 to be a catalyst for creating new understanding of how funders can promote inclusion of those with disabilities in grant-making programs, is disheartening.

More than 65 percent of working age adults with disabilities is unemployed, it says. Of those working, one-third earn an income below the poverty level. The jobless rate of people with disabilities also is 10 times greater than the U.S. unemployment rate, the DFN found.

The number of people “living with a chronic health condition” is expected to increase to 150 million in the United States by 2030.

DFN also found:

o   Despite the strides made in the disability rights during the past 25 years, the majority of people with disabilities are poor, under-employed, and under-educated due largely to unequal opportunities. This, despite findings by the U.S. Department of Education which said workers with disabilities are rated “consistently as average or above average in performance, quality, and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance.”

o   The Foundation Center Tuesday (6.3) reported that out of more than $3 billion spent in philanthropic giving, only 2.9 percent of grants made by institutionalized philanthropy are directed to programs serving people with disabilities.

o   Disability belongs in any grant-making program that supports diversity. Or Education. Or employment. Or housing. Arts and culture. And, any other element of life because the interests of those with disabilities mirrors those of all groups in the nation.

We in the disability community call the able-bodied TABS because it means temporarily Able-Bodied because sooner or later an accident, disease, or old age will force its way into your life, leaving you less able and perhaps with a severe disability. So when you fight for those of us with disabilities, you are fighting to have a good future for yourself and loved ones and to free an oppressed people.

Jerry Wolffe is the writer-in-residence/advocate-at-large of the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center. He can be reached at (586) 263-8950.

Study: Nonprofits big business in Michigan

Nonprofit organizations are responsible for 10 percent of the jobs held in Michigan, according to a report from Public Sector Consultants (released Fri., 5.30). The analysis showed the nonprofit sector pays nearly $5 billion in wages every three months and employs 438,000 people. Approximately half those jobs are held in the health services field. The study was sponsored by the Council of Michigan Foundations and the Michigan Nonprofit Association. “In strict economic terms, (nonprofits) invest billions, pay billions, and employ thousands, but their service roles are far more varied and important,” said Public Sector Consultants CEO Jeff Williams.

- By JERRY WOLFFE

Futures Foundation to receive 5K from Run the Plank Run/Jog/Walk

By JERRY WOLFFE

The Futures Foundation has been named a beneficiary of the Run The Plank 5K Run/Jog/Walk on June 28, 2014 at 8:15 am.

The event is a collaboration between three churches located on Romeo Plank Road in Macomb Township – Immanuel Lutheran, St. Isidore Catholic Church and St. Peter Lutheran.

 

Last year, 1,430 runners and walkers participated in the race and $45,000 was raised for the designated charities. Organizers are hoping 2,000 people will  participant this year. The Futures Foundation "is honored" to be one of the chosen charities, said Foundation Executive Director Teri Donaldson .

Registration is $30 and includes a tech t-shirt, cinch bag, wristband with discounts for dining and shopping establishments, medal with lanyard, complimentary pasta lunch/dinner on Friday (6/27) during packet pick up, complimentary Family Fun Fair, and complimentary food and beverages at the Fun Fair.

As a beneficiary, we are encouraged to have runners and walkers participate.  We also need to provide volunteers for the event. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 am. The Family Fun Fair runs from 9:30 to noon and includes inflatables, clowns, food and beverages.

To learn more about the event and registration, please visit the Website at www.runtheplank.com

To sign up to volunteer, please click on the following link http://bit.ly/RTPvolunteersignup

Study: Business bias against hiring disabled still widespread

Almost twenty-five years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), physical architecture and some educational opportunities thankfully have changed, but negative attitudes and stigmas about people with disabilities have not. Indeed, a major Princeton study shows that while people with disabilities are seen as warm, they are not seen as competent.

Meanwhile, a study published by Cornell Hospitality Quarterly analyzed results from a survey of employers at 320 hospitality companies in the United States. It found that all of the companies share a concern that those with disabilities could not do the work required of their employees. Another top concern was the potential cost of unspecified accommodations they might need to provide for a person with a disability under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is despite the fact that the record shows that most such accommodations are not exceptionally costly. Anecdotally, there is also evidence that employers fear legal action should they terminate an employee with a disability. It is far more difficult to prove discrimination for not being hired in the first place. So, given that that the perception is that people with disabilities aren't competent, and could potentially be costly, why would an employer take the risk of hiring them?

One of the employers who took the "risk" was Randy Lewis, former Vice President of Walgreens and Fortune 50 executive, who led Walgreens' logistics division for sixteen years, as the chain grew from 1,500 to 8,000 stores. Randy introduced an inclusive model of hiring people with disabilities in Walgreens distribution centers that resulted in ten percent of its workforce consisting of people with disabilities. All of whom are held to the same standards as their colleagues without disabilities. The outcome? Study after study turned out to be myth-busters. The employees with disabilities were MORE productive and loyal than their non-disabled peers! And most accommodations? Either free or cheap. But even when the relatively few more expensive accommodations were factored in, the overall costs of accommodations were far outweighed by the low turnover rates and better tenures of the employees with disabilities. Grateful for opportunities, and in many cases thriving on repetitive tasks, they are so loyal to Walgreens that important sums of recruitment costs were saved as the employees continued to stay in their jobs and deliver excellent results. You can learn more about this in Randy's new book or on the Walgreen's website.

Other companies such as Ernst and Young (EY), have also found inclusive hiring to be a winning ticket. Starting with its founder, Arthur Young, EY has always embraced differing abilities. Trained as a lawyer, Arthur was deaf with low vision and he wasn't able to comfortably practice. He turned to finance and the new field of accounting to build his career. His "disability" drove him to innovation and entrepreneurship, which played a pivotal role in the development of EY. Finding and engaging diverse talents has been a key part of EY's ongoing success.

Malcolm Gladwell's new book, David and Goliath, extols the strength of people with disabilities. Because traditional ways of doing things don't always work for people with disabilities, Gladwell demonstrates that they compensate for that in ways that benefit the workforce by developing incredible ways to innovate and succeed.

AMC Theaters, Lowe's, many grocery stores and others are also getting outstanding results by hiring employees with disabilities. So what are other employers waiting for? They are still blinded by negative stereotypes. It's time for people with disabilities to be seen for what they CAN do, and not for what they cannot. What can people with disabilities do? Think about it.

Beautiful music from a deaf man? It happened. Ludwig von Beethoven.

World changing words from someone with dyslexia? It happened. Thomas Jefferson.

A Super bowl champion NFL player who is deaf? It happened. Derrick Coleman.

A Nobel Prize for a scientist who failed in school? It happened. Albert Einstein.

Secrets of the universe being revealed by a man who uses a wheelchair and who can no longer speak? It's happening. Stephen Hawking.

It's time to change the narrative of how we see people with disabilities so employers can see the ABILITIES they have and the positive impact that can have on their business's bottom line. It's amazing that such small change can have such a big impact. It can - if it is done in a focused and strategic way. Employing people with disabilities may take a little more forethought and planning. The U.S. government recently changed their expectations of federal contractors who now must become at least partially inclusive of hiring people with disabilities. There are many groups that can help in the process including www.USBLN.org, www.ProjectSearch.org, www.nod.org and others.

As the Baby Boomers continue to age, a powerful answer to labor and talent shortages already exists in our own back yards - our own family members and neighbors with disabilities who want to work.

Recognize the disability. Imagine the possibility. Respect the ability.

 

Front door of Michigan's Capitol Building is inaccessible to a person with a mobility disability

By JERRY WOLFFE

On a damp rainy day on May 15, 2014, I had the privilege to be the keynote speaker at “Walk a Mile in My Shoes,” an event held annually at Michigan’s Capitol Building in Lansing to raise awareness of the issues of discrimination, housing, jobs, medical care and receiving an adequate education facing tho two million people in Michigan with disabilities.

One key point I made to the 3,000 in attendance was we “must be our own advocate. We each, if capable, learn the laws so you can wield them as a sword for truth and equality when needed.”

 

I added that when “one becomes fearless -- not afraid of dying, being mocked, shot or stomped -- he or she becomes an unstoppable force for positive social change for those with disabilities.” I have tried to be this since I was born with cerebral palsy in 1946 and avoided being institutionalized because my father refused, told the doctor to get blanked and took me home to raise me to be as normal as possible. I was 2 then and I still remember that dad, Vincent, and his brother, Sylvester, started building parallel bars in our basement so I would learn to walk.

 

I came a long way since then with the grace of God, my dad, mother Carol, wife JoAnn of 37 years, sisters Nancy and Rene and relatives and friends to the point where I am considered among the best advocates in the country. I have had the privilege of telling the stories of triumph and failure, of hopes and dreams, of death and life for those with disabilities with my "Voices of Disabilities" column in The Oakland Press, Macomb Daily and Daily Tribune and occasionally others for at least 15 years.

 

The wall behind me in my office is covered with 30 or so awards I've won for writing and service on behalf of the disabled but the greatest satisfaction is I didn't end up dying in an institution as did my dad's older brother, Alex Wolff, did when I was a child..

 

The Lansing audience loved the speech..

 

However, I had to deliver the speech from the base of the stairs that went to the front door of Michigan's Capitol Building in Lansing because there was no stairlift, ramp or elevator of any kind.

 

There was a mid-point where some of the leaders of the event from most of Michigan's 83 counties could stand under a tent and not get drenched. However, this was impossible for me to get to because of the stairs.
 

So I spoke, occasionally glancing at my notes as a young volunteer from Wayne County got wet while she held an umbrella over my head to keep me from getting wet. However, after five minutes I was soaking wet.

 

All those steps and no way for me to get there told me our lawmakers, who are sinking deeper into a quagmire of self-service and selfishness, don't want to give rights or even listen to those of us with disabilities.
They also are losing faith with Michigan's other 8 million residents for a general lack of success or agreement on even how to fix Michigan's pot-holed riddled roads.

 

I know they must not care or are to isolated from the average Michigan resident because I can't get in the front door of the Capitol to talk to them and even if the building is accessible, why should I go in the back door?

I thought some 600,000 Americans died in the Civil War to stop such segregation and thousand of people with disabilities have died in institutions before they started being moved into their own homes in the community, thanks of efforts by wise people such as those that work at the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Community Living Services,
Easter Seals and the 46 Community Mental Health Authorities in the state which provide funding to providers from federal funds dished out to Michigan as well as general state funds.
 

So please listen lawmakers and Gov. Snyder: "I, as a disabled man who has worked at paid taxes for 50 years, want political access to the system so I can change it so my brothers and sisters with disabilities can get the services they need and don't have to die prematurely or live in horrible facilities such as the one in Detroit where a woman with autism was beaten by a caregiver with a mop handle and extension cord until her back was full of welts like those left when Christ was whipped on the day He died for our sins.

 

I and my spiritual kin want to tell you of what we need. We need just 4 percent of that $1.3 billion surplus so the mental health budget that provides services to those with mental illness and developmental disabilities can be made whole and all get the help and care they need to live lives with dignity and independence.

 

How would you feel if the governor and lawmakers said to you and the 10 million people in Michigan: “You aren't worthy enough for us to spend a few thousand to build a stairlift so you can gain political access in the bright sunshine and through the front door of our political system's main building."

 

Your failure to act in this area shows you all to be blind as well as incompetent. You probably never even thought of a wheelchair user trying to get into the Capitol's front door when, on some occasions, you probably trotted up the stairs to gain entrance to the halls of state power, probably wondering how you were going to raise another million or so to run negative television ads to win another term.