Blog

New York Makes Work Pay Summit: Employment moving forward

Thursday, October 15, 2009 1:18 pm

Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute and Syracuse University's Burton Blatt Institute joined forces October 6-7 in Albany, NY bringing some 200 individuals across disciplines, agencies, and sects of the disability community to aggressively address the on-going issue of unemployment amongst individuals with disabilities. This is an initiative that Disability Awareness Training (DAT) has been working on over the last two years. The timing could not have been better; October is Disability Awareness Employment Month, DAT recently met with the Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Assn to move forward the initiative DAT introduced July 2007, President Obama announced his administration is taking several steps to ensure fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, the US Dept of Labor is going to establish the National Technical Assistance Center for employers on people with disabilities, and the Summit was held with the intent to identify AND address the issue.

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Diocese of Buffalo takes big step towards Inclusion

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 10:46 pm

I strongly feel that places of worship may be our quickest path towards full inclusion. This does not exclude the work we have to do in Corporate America, public places (restaurants, venues, and stores), recreational outlets, and public transportation, but don't all these components exist in some way, shape, or form in a church, temple, or mosque. Don't we find people who are in a position to hire, or coach a sport, or have a means to transport? Isn't the place of worship where individuals are supposed to have open minds, open hearts and from those open doors?

Most people want to do what's right but when they don't know how they are discriminating or simply not allowing for access and proper response to what would allow for inclusion of all individuals, the need to sensitize and educate is necessary and should be made a top agenda item.

Read more: Diocese of Buffalo takes big step towards Inclusion

Making a Difference: Who You Are

Saturday, August 29, 2009 2:11 pm

I continue, almost on a daily basis, to come in contact with people who are making a big difference in other people's lives. I believe that most people are good at heart and want to help others, and we see this with response to need in the Western New York area. With the recent floods in Gowanda and the tragic deaths of two Buffalo firefighters, local residents (and beyond) responded in glorious fashion, making one proud to be from here.

We also see people making a difference by advocating for oneself, accepting people for who they are and what they can do, speaking up on behalf of others, establishing initiatives that advance a cause, going out of their way to assist, looking beyond one's needs to ensure others are being addressed, and embracing difference.

Many people, in many different ways, have been responding to individuals with disabilities and the challenges and injustices they face, many of which come from society. I look forward to the day that pieces like this will not have to be written, but that is not today. However, we are progressing because you are making a difference. Keep up the good work until our work is done.

Accessibility – Here and Now!

Monday, July 6, 2009 4:13 pm

Of the many areas we must address to ensure inclusion for individuals with disabilities, accessibility will share with the headliners. I need to get by my angst when it comes to the continued ignorance in development of new builds and inaccessible design. Recent matters include my Town's delay in responding to a resolution to address identified need areas, a colleague who has a running list of new builds in the city that are inaccessible, and a lack of response from local restaurant owners.

HOWEVER, recent initiatives that DAT is involved with are going to address all of the above. As Chair of my town's Committee on Disabilities, we are taking it up a notch and holding employees accountable. There are also open seats on the Town Board this year and we'll see where the candidates stand on issues.

ACCESS BUFFALO will be introduced before the year is out, calling for restaurant, hotel, and store accessibility to be reviewed, with certificates awarded for those that "pass the test." There will be more on this as we finalize it. Google "Access Nashville" to learn about the program (and bring it to your town).

INCLUSION U is an incredible traveling road show that teaches attendees HOW to access parks and recreation facilities. (I will be doing this in our town's parks.) It is a free training in New York state, as part of a grant from the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council that provides a full day of education (that includes disability awareness) and provides you with a kit. You are expected to identify the sites you plan on accessing and report back your findings. Contact is Laurie Penney McGee at 607-753-4833 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit their site at www.cortland.edu/nysirrc.

Whatever it takes, make it known that inclusion through accessibility is here and now. Learn what it takes to address accessibility. Your approach should be one that is professional and courteous, but straightforward with an expectation of results.

PJ's Law

Monday, June 15, 2009 2:56 pm

July 1, 2009 will be the official date NYS School Bus transporters will need to begin training their staff in disability awareness per the 23 page powerpoint the State Education Dept has provided for School Bus Driver Instructors (SBDIs). DAT applauds this move, recognizing the need for training for all drivers and monitors, something we have been providing for four years. The need for the law comes after the horrific abuse of then 7 year-old PJ, a student who exhibited some behaviors on his bus that both the driver and monitor 'enjoyed' and encouraged.

As much as the law is intended to prevent abuse (an area DAT has developed on-line training for DD direct support professionals and Home Health Aides), another overlooked need is simply equipping personnel with awareness training. DAT has trained many districts and the overriding response is "why didn't we get this earlier." My reply is to thank your district for providing it now, recognizing the many districts that either provide no training or do it "in house." Content needs to go beyond the basics and must include sensitivity training that highlights injustice and discrimination while defining disabilities and how to best interact. Issues like challenging behaviors and the parent-professional partnership are also imperative to achieve an atmosphere that is most conducive to a safe and comfortable bus ride.

Dave is available to train districts throughout the school year, but emphasizes training is best if conducted prior to the year beginning. DAT, as always, is available as a resource for anyone that has received training.

Dave Receives Alumni of the Year at 25th year College Reunion

Monday, June 8, 2009 10:43 am

Dave attended his college reunion this past weekend and was honored to recieve the Alumni of the Year from St. Bonaventure University. This recognized Dave's commitment to the university and his work in the field of disabilities. Dave serves as the President of the Buffalo alumni chapter, which is the largest of the university's 35 chapters. He has established the four ideals of alumni chapters: spirituality, volunteerism, socials, and university support.

Dave is a 1984 graduate, receiving his BA in Psychology, he stayed to receive his MS in Ed in Community Counseling in 1986.