Daring Disability! August 9, 2012My LifeOff

Critically acclaimed TV show, Push Girls, is changing the conversation on disability.

Four smart, beautiful and successful women, who happen to have disabilities, are getting people to talk about the issue, by sharing their stories on Sundance Channel’s reality show.

We celebrated the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, last month.

But Mia Schaikewitz, one of the ladies featured on the show, knows there’s a long way to go before those with disabilities have equal opportunities and independence. Her legs were paralyzed after a spinal cord rupture at age 15.

“I interviewed [for a job] at a place that didn’t have handicap-accessible bathrooms,” says Schaikewitz. “When I was hired, the company made the changes to provide basic accessibility.”

And that’s a good thing as 33 million disabled Americans are in the workforce.

“Unless you talk about it, you cannot do much,” says Meg O’Connell, VP of corporate programs for National Organization on Disability.

Corporate disability programs aren’t keeping pace with other diversity incentives, she adds.

What will it take to change that?

Companies must go beyond compliance. “Organizations are compliant towards [ADA] provisions, but more communication is needed to improve diversity programs,” O’Connell says. 

Best practices include offering employee forums, and HR programs for disability education. Events like ‘Disability Mentoring Day’ allow disabled job seekers to visit corporations and participate in job shadowing.

Schaikewitz, a project manager for a branding firm adds: “If the conversation happens, then it allows for a change.”

Bonus PINK Link: Failure can always be overcome. Find out about an unusual success secret!

Does your office provide for disability?

By Devika Rao

“Don’t let your personal ‘chair’ stop you from achieving your ultimate dream.”
Mia Schaikewitz

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