Exercise and Disabilities

Exercise is an important factor in our everyday lives. Those in a wheelchair or have other physical disabilities sometimes find it hard to take care of basic needs, much less try to exercise. However, it is more important for individuals with disabilities to exercise than others.

Exercise helps to regulate blood pressure, reduce stress, manage and maintain weight, build strength and endurance, and keep our body strong. For the disabled, it even affords benefits such as better self esteem while promoting a more positive outlook on life and can help reduce fatigue.

The key factor for those with disabilities is to find the best type of exercise regimine and equipment to meet their needs. Before starting any exercise program it is important to consult with a physician. The doctor can review any medical conditions and all medications, while working with the patient to determine what physical activities are most suitable.

Individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility in the lower extremities should focus on excerices such as resitance that improves upper body strength and helps reduce chances for injury. There are many great exercise videos and even exercise classes such as the Seated Upper Body workout and the Seated Strength workout. Swimming and other water sports are also great ways to get a cardio workout along with muscle strength and endurance.

Consider signing up for a personal trainer at the gym or hire someone to come into your home. They can provide resistance training for the upper or lower body using resistance bands, free weights, resistance balls, and weight machines.

Exercise should not be all work and no game. For those with a competitive nature consider the option of an organized sport. To find an event nearby that includes archery, basketball, and the likes contact Wheelchair Sports. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disabilty offers assisance to locate local fitness programs.

Living with a physical disability can be a challenge and exercise thought as a burden, but with a little guidance and support the individual can be on their way to a less stressful and healthier life.

Filed Under: Addictions, Disability Tagged With: , ,

Designer Cloths for Disabled Women

Designer Louisa Summerfield calls herself a very feminine woman.  Even though she has been in a wheelchair since she was nine years old due to Rheumatoid arthritis, Louisa has never let herself feel unattractive due to her illness. Her positive attitude and outgoing nature probably helped her when it came to creating he clothing line, WheelieChix-Chic, for women in wheelchairs.

Louisa launched herself into the fashion world in late 07. At her opening, which was held at one of hippest night spots in London, she had nine models who were all wheelchair bound. Even though her company is based out of the United Kingdom, buyers can still purchase her clothing from anywhere.

So what is it about Louisa’s line that makes it such a brilliant company? Louisa designs clothes with the same intentions that other designers have, which is sex appeal. She say that simply designing cloths for a disability isn’t good enough. With all of that in mind it comes as no surprise that the most sought after part of her line would be the black Maya dress. The dress can be shortened or lengthened by drawstrings that are located on the sides of the dress.  The goal is to come up with clothes that compliment the frame of a woman who is sitting down.
Summerfield feels that disabled women shouldn’t have to deal with a lack of style when it comes to clothing. After all, these woman already have to manage being disabled; it should not cost them their girly side. Her clothing line will soon even include lingerie, not to mention that their designer also does wedding gowns and consults on wardrobes based around disabilities. It is easy to understand how awesome it is to have clothing options that carry both class and style. Summerfield has definitely impacted the fashion world in a very outstanding way.

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With: ,

The Disabled Employment Statistics

The disabled community has long known the hardships of job hunting. In June of 1990, they had reason to believe that their hardship would decrease, due to the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law. Now it is more than apparent that those beliefs have proven to be fruitless.

In a survey of around 870 representatives of the disabled community, in an unscientific survey at the University of Texas Health Science Center by Lex Freiden, a professor at the University, a majority of those survedy reported that there have been major improvements with the quality of living for disabled people. There is more accessibility to shopping areas and public facilities, not to mention better transit assistance, housing communities, assistance programs through the state, educational opportunities, and means of communication.  On the other hand, nearly half of those people reported that employment was one of the places where the act had failed to improve things. Frieden claimed that the current employment situation was still an improvement in the act, and yet also called it “a big disappointment” and said that “They [disabled people] expected more.”

It has been cited that the job market “is still the area where people with disabilities seem to be at the greatest disadvantage compared to the rest of the population.” In a survey done by Harris Interactive. statistics were stated that, of those people who are disabled and old enough to hold a job, only 21 percent reported that they had either full time or part time employment. This is in comparison to the 51 percent of working people who are not disabled. Also, of the people with disabilities who report themselves as unemployed, more than 70 percent listed being disabled as a reason for their unemployment. Among other reasons were difficulty finding placement in their line of work, and work areas that do not have the proper access or accommodations, making it more than just a tough working environment.

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With: ,

ADA and Interviews

Anyone can tell you that the American with Disabilities Act is aimed at protecting those who live with disabilities, and specifically from discrimination within the job market. However, what people often wonder is: what can employers ask you during the hiring process? And what questions could keep people out of a job?

To begin with, the questions an employer asks must be aimed at a job-related need rather than in an attempt to figure out if you are disabled. For example, if you are applying to be a driver for a company a question like “are you visually impaired?” is off limits, but asking “do you have a license?” is fair game.

Interviewers are not allowed to ask you if you are disabled, if you have ever been evaluated or seen by a psychiatrist, if and/or how much you drink, or if you are on medications. They are also not allowed to inquire about any workers’ compensation you have received in the past or about the number of sick days you have previously needed.

Interviewers can ask if you are able to do a list of essentials for the job, how you would carry out those essentials, if you will need to be accommodated in any way, and, if you specified being disabled, they can ask how many breaks you might need. If you have been charged with a DUI, they can ask if you still drink, and they can also ask if you have ever done drugs.
If you are asked a question that is inappropriate, you can choose whether or not you want to answer. If you state that you are no longer interested in the job, you could also file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Better Business Bureau. One way or the other, it is good to know what rights you have while being interviewed.

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With:

Tips to Find a Perfect Workplace

Starting a new job is always difficult. Learning the ins and outs of a company can be quite a task, and to go through everything just to find out that you will never fit in can be more than frustrating. Here are some quick tips to help you figure out if the company will work for you.

1. Search to see if the the company is disability friendly. Go to the company website and find out if they are listed as an Equal Opportunity Employer. Look to see if the company has any programs that assist with disabled employees. Look for handy-capable access ramps.

2. When You Interview, Ask Revealing Questions. Find out if there are other people who have disabilities within the company. Ask about the programs the company has to offer people with disabilities. Find out what kind of assistance they can offer you to help you do your job. And make sure to find out if the company has any special policies that impact disabled people.

3. Ask To See The Work Area. Make sure that the place that you would be stationed will meet your needs. Make sure the restrooms are accessible for you as well. While you are looking at the station, take notice of other people and if they seem friendly towards you.

4. If All Else Fails, Use You Gut Instinct. Smaller companies who operate without the same conveniences that larger companies can provide can still often offer a good job environment. If the company lacks in accessibility, it can make up in other areas, such as customer service and knowledgeable employees. People who treat their customers well will most likely treat their employees well. Judging how you feel when you are around the people who would be working with you and the customers you would be serving can make for a great guide to find out how much you will enjoy working there.

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With:

Disabled Employees Offer a Lot

As an employer, it is important to hire the best person for the job. With the economy the way it is, this will often mean sifting through plenty of job applications, and on top of that the interviewing process, to finally find someone to hire. With all of that in mind, what could a company have to benefit from hiring a disabled worker? The answer is a lot.

1. Loyal Workers
Disabled employees have been shown to be far more loyal and reliable. They are less likely to take sick days, and their turnover rates are lower than regular employees.

2. Reputation
Hiring people with disabilities can certainly have a positive impact on a companies’ image; because it benefits the local community, it will assist with local customer relations. On the whole, it will also improve the way people view the company, both customers and investors. It also promotes community when a company actively celebrates these programs. Local groups will recognize the company and often pass out awards. Sometimes this can even mean media coverage.

3. Customer Impact
Indirectly, hiring disabled people can help provide a wider consumer base. Simply put, people with disabilities spend $200 billion dollars each year. Having someone who is disabled working for you can help when it comes to developing good relationships with customers who are disabled.

No matter if the company is brand new and just starting out or a company that has been at this for ages, it is easy to go just a little bit farther with your employees. Establishing a disability-hiring program can add a great deal to an up-and-coming company, and can benefit existing companies by improving public opinion. With all of the good things that can come from disability-hiring, who in their right mind would pass up such an opportunity?

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With:

Investing in Disability Groups

Organizations for people with disabilities within companies have become a popular fad. Most of these organizations run in the same fashion that other minority network groups run, offering support and useful information about any number of things. However, these groups are about more than just support. They can offer some really impressive benefits to the companies that they are run through, as well as the members.

Businesses have the ability to learn from disability groups through the development and marketing of products. Disabled people make up the biggest minority group in the United States. These groups offer companies the chance to understand the point of view of a customer who might have disabilities. In short, this can really broaden the market.

Disability groups can also promote a more inclusive and diverse workforce and consumer base. These groups can be used for enticing new employees, offering existing employees information about disabilities, offering support for people who have loved ones who are disabled, and even offering disabled students the opportunity to find a place within a company as an intern.

Some of these groups are allowed to have informational meetings during lunch breaks or sometimes even during business hours, with the intention of making people more aware of what people with disabilities are capable of and what the proper behavior is during interactions. This can be helpful for those people who are not sure how to approach loved ones who are dealing with a new or temporary disability.

Because, like most support groups, membership is completely voluntary and open to anyone with or without disabilities as well as being completely confidential, members feel comfortable about joining and often get excited about the chance to learn and be listened to. With all of that in mind, a disability group can be a very wise thing to bring into an business to strengthen reputation, diversity, and values of the employees and the business itself.

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With:

Being a Disable Nurse

In a growing industry like nursing, it is inevitable that there will be people more than happy to join the ranks of these honorable men and women. Hospitals offer tons of great benefits, and for some people it is just about giving a little bit back. For whatever the reason, becoming a nurse might just have grabbed your interest. However, what about your disability? Will that keep you away from your new-found dream? Fortunately no, as there are many disabled nurses who practice in the field every day.

Most of the time it does not come as a shock that people, both patients and nurses alike, have concerns about the standard of care that can be provided by someone with a disability, whether this is verbalized or not. A lot of nurses in training will even experience this attitude during their time in school. Even with all of these setbacks, there are plenty of nurses who push through it and make it to the other side. When a nurse makes a good impression on a patient, it doesn’t matter whether or not you are disabled. Patients recognize when people truly care, and they may even sympathise and feel more at ease with a disabled nurse.

Disabled nurses can offer things that regular nurses may not be able to. For instance, a deaf nurse can interact with patients who rely on sign language. Some nurses have the ability to read lips, which can be useful for people who have issues communicating with volume. Many of these nurses also have an advantage when it comes to teaching, and knowing protocols when it comes to treating specific disabilities or diseases. Patients will often ask for a the nurse with a disability because having someone who understands what they are going through can be comforting. There are many reasons to become a nurse, and being disabled is certainly not a reason for anyone to hold back from that profession.

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With: ,

Federal Jobs for the Disabled

The federal government is one of our nation’s biggest employers. Since the 80s, after ADA laws were passed, around seven percent of federal employees have been disabled. Over 200,000 current employees of the federal government have disabilities. Part of this can be contributed to the fact that there are multiple positions open at every stage of a given business or agency: anything from management to night staff. Any government agency is obligated to look for possible employees who have disabilities.

Government jobs also have high returns. The average yearly wage of a government employee, including the benefits, is more than $100,000, which is nothing to sneeze at when you look at the average of private business wages, which are around $50,000. Most employees get their jobs through competitive appointments, applying to the hiring department of specific branches directly. These departments have testing tools that will calculate what job would best suit each candidate. Accommodations for the exam, such as braille exams, interpreters, tests designed for people who are visually impaired and so forth, are ready on request.

If you want to claim that you are disabled, you will need forms of proof. Even if you are missing a leg, you will need to have documentation from a state rehab clinic or Veteran Affairs, on top of a report from a private medical physician. This is to ensure honesty among applicants; even if your disability is apparent, there are others that are not. Veterans who are disabled can qualify for special treatment. If their disability rating is 30% or higher, they can enroll in a rehab program if they choose. After the rehab program and training program(s) are completed, they will receive a training certificate and be assigned to a job that they are qualified for without competition. All this makes the government a pretty good option for anyone who is disabled.

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With: ,

Protecting The Disabled

I think that we can all agree that those among us that suffer from a disability should be afforded additional protection. It wasn’t all that long ago that American’s with disabilities were discriminated against – especially in the work place. In 1990 the government passed a law that was designed to protect disabled citizens and their right to work in our country. The law actually has several different clauses, all aimed at ensuring that the disabled in our country do not suffer from discrimination.

The first part of the 1990 law states that employers cannot use disabilities as a reason for not hiring someone. In other words, a disabled applicant who is qualified for a position must be considered as equal to those who do not have a disability. In theory this protects citizens with disabilities. Unfortunately, except in the most blatant of cases it is often difficult to prove that a potential employer has used a disability to disqualify a potential employer.

Secondly, the American’s With Disabilities Act also states that employers are required to include ‘reasonable accommodations’ for employees with disabilities. This ruling typically means including elevators or ramps and ensuring accessibility in bathrooms and kitchens.

The law applies to both private and government employers and clearly advises those who feel they have been discriminated against to bring attention to the matter. In most cases penalties simply mean making structural changes; however, particularly bad cases are under the prevue of the US Justice Department.

The ADA is goes a step further than The 1973 Rehabilitation Act. The 1973 act was the first act that offered the disabled legal protection. It made it illegal to discriminate against the disabled for any organization that receives federal funding. These two acts form the basis of protection for our disabled citizens. We should always obey them.

Filed Under: Disability Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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