JFActivist

Indianapolis 2009 Most Disability-Friendly City

For Immediate Release

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY ANNOUNCES INDIANAPOLIS, IN AS 2009 WINNER FOR DISABILITY–FRIENDLY CITY

Mayor to accept  $25,000 Accessible America Award on behalf of Indianapolis

 

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2009—Indianapolis, Indiana has been chosen as the winner in the eighth annual Accessible America Competition, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) announced today. The city is being heralded as a national model for its focus on disability issues and successful design of programs, services and facilities that are accessible for citizens and visitors who have disabilities. The 2009 Accessible America Competition, administered by NOD, was sponsored by a generous grant from AARP.

 

Other 2009 contest finalists were: Alexandria, Virginia; Denver, Colorado; Louisville, Kentucky; New Haven, Connecticut; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Surprise, Arizona.

 

Governor Tom Ridge, Chairman of the National Organization on Disability, and former Secretary of Homeland Security noted, "Communities that compete for the Accessible America Award demonstrate that people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to solving today’s challenges.  The City of Indianapolis exemplifies a successful model of enriched civic life through the full participation of all citizens, including those with disabilities."

 

Carol Glazer, NOD President remarked, “The National Organization on Disability is dedicated to recognizing best practices through which communities offer people with disabilities major footholds to an independent lifestyle, such as education and employment.  We commend Indianapolis as a city that has worked hard to achieve a vision where opportunities are available to people of all abilities.”

 

Previous Accessible America first-place winners include: Berkeley, CA; Cambridge, MA; Houston, TX; Irvine, CA; Pasadena, CA; Phoenix, AZ; and Venice, FL.

 

The panel of nationally recognized disability advocates and experts who served as Accessible America Competition judges chose the winner based on comprehensive accessibility and opportunity for people with disabilities. Accessible America applicants demonstrate an exceptional commitment to offering their citizens with disabilities full and equal opportunities to participate in the life of their community, including access to jobs, education, voting, transportation, housing, emergency preparedness planning, and services. The Accessible America Competition promotes nationwide replication of these best practices.

 

For more information about the Accessible America Competition, contact the National Organization on Disability at 202/293-5960.

 

The National Organization on Disability, founded in 1982, promotes the full and equal participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. For more information about NOD’s programs, visit www.nod.org.

American Airlines and AAPD To Honor Positive Portrayals of Disability

 

FOR RELEASE: Thursday, March 26, 2009

 

 

American Airlines AND AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

TEAm Up TO HONOR BEST TV COMMERCIAL

FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines is partnering with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to create an award honoring the best U.S television commercials featuring positive portrayals of people with disabilities. Together, the two organizations will support and recognize the efforts put forth by companies that feature disabled people in their television advertising in creative and compelling ways.

“American Airlines has a long history of diversity and inclusion and is proud to partner with the AAPD to establish this award in honor of all of our employees, customers and partners with disabilities,” said Will Ris, American’s Senior Vice President - Government Affairs and member of the AAPD’s Board of Directors. “We want to acknowledge creative companies who are supporting people with disabilities and understand the business value of inclusive advertising.”

The contest, set to begin in July, is scheduled to run for several weeks. Companies and agencies will be able to submit their commercials, which will be judged by a panel of experts to determine the best of the group. The final winner will receive a highly-coveted month of free advertising airtime on the American Airlines inflight entertainment system, making the winning commercial visible to the tens of thousands of travelers the airline serves each day.

“With more than 56 million people with disabilities in the U.S. alone, it is surprising that companies don’t market more aggressively to disabled people and our families,” said Andrew Imparato , President and CEO of AAPD.  “We are delighted to partner with American Airlines to leverage the power of television advertising to help raise the visibility of our community as a powerful consumer force and as valued members of society.”

            The American Association of People with Disabilities is the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization with more than 100,000 members throughout the United States.  American Airlines Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey announced this competition at AAPD’s Annual Leadership Gala in Washington, D.C., on March 4.

 

About The American Association of People with Disabilities

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially.  AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To learn more, visit the AAPD website:  www.aapd.com.

 

 

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection^® airlines serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com^®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld^® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

 

Gov. Palin and Others React to Obama's Special Olympics Comment

From CNN.com (March 21, 2009):

Palin, Shriver target Obama for Special Olympics comment

From CNN's Lauren Kornreich

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said she was "shocked" to hear President Obama's offhand comment referring to the Special Olympics in an appearance on the Tonight Show on Thursday night.

"This was a degrading remark about our world's most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world," Palin said in a statement released Friday. "These athletes overcome more challenges, discrimination and adversity than most of us ever will. By the way, these athletes can outperform many of us and we should be proud of them. I hope President Obama's comments do not reflect how he truly feels about the special needs community."

Palin's son, Trig, has Down Syndrome...

>>> For the Full Post

The reactions of California First Lady Maria Shriver, whose mother founded the Special Olympics; Shriver's brother, Tim, who is the current chairman of the organization; and Shriver's husband, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Comment Below: Does Gov. Palin's reaction capture your sentiment? Read the responses of the Shriver family: With whom do you agree? Disagree? Whose reaction is most meaningful for you? Whose response would you like to hear but have not yet?  How did CNN fail to include the reaction of ANYONE who has a disability or participates in the Special Olympics?

ADAPT Urges Apology From President to Entire Community and Calls for Action

For Immediate Release:

March 23, 2009

For Information Contact:
Bob Kafka 512-431-4085
Marsha Katz 406-544-9504
www.adapt.org

 ADAPT Urges Obama to Apologize, then Move Forward with Disability Policy Agenda

Washington, D.C.---  In the wake of President Obama’s unfortunate comment
on his low bowling score as reason to include him in the Special Olympics,
ADAPT urges the President to publicly apologize to the millions of people
with disabilities who were offended by the stereotype, and then move on.

“While I am convinced the President did not intentionally set out to
disparage people with disabilities,” said Bob Kafka, national organizer for
ADAPT, “the remark that flew out of his mouth is so indicative of the
deeply held and, until now, widely tolerated stereotypes of people with
disabilities. Look at all the people who laughed. These stereotypes have
resulted in our exclusion from the mainstream of society and have kept us
locked up and segregated in institutions and nursing homes.”

In an ironic turn of events, just prior to his appe arance on the Jay Leno
Show where the remark was made , the President strongly addressed
employment of people with disabilities at a Town Hall meeting in Los
Angeles. President Obama minced no words when he said, “So one of the
things that I think is important is to make sure, as you pointed out, that
we don't see this as an afterthought, a segregated program, but we are
infusing every department, every agency, every act that we take with a
mindfulness about the importance of persons with disabilities, their
skills, their talents, their capacity.”

“Actions speak louder than words, so ADAPT challenges the President to make
good on those welcome words by advancing and promoting a strong disability
policy agenda,” added Kafka. “One that includes community-based long-term
services and supports in health care reform, and assures that people with
all disabilities of all ages have the opportunity to live, work, go to
school, and recreate in their communities alongside their neighbors. People
with disabilities have so much to contribute to the fabric of American
life, but we can’t do it locked away or shunted aside in segregated
environments.”

ADAPT will be in Wash ington, D.C. April 25-30, working for passage of the
Community Choice Act (CCA), and celebrating the 10th anniversary of the
U.S. Supreme Court “Olmstead” decision.  In deciding Olmstead, the Court
affirmed the mandate in the Americans with Disabilities Act that says
services to people with disabilities must be provided in the “most
integrated setting.”

As part of the Olmstead celebration, ADAPT will hold its annual Fun Run in
Upper Senate Park on April 26th, where the National Fun Runner will be Lois
Curtis, one of the two plaintiffs in the original L.C. and E.W. vs.
Olmstead lawsuit. Since being freed from a Georgia institution, Curtis has
gained recognition as an artist, and will bring an exhibit of her work with
her.

During its week in Washington, ADAPT wants the President to  meet with a
small group of representatives to discuss the inclusion of the Community
Choice Act/long term services and supports in health care reform, and how
best to work together to finally gain real, national implementation of the
ten-year old Olmstead decision.

Comment Below: Does this release capture your reaction to the Presidents thoughtless comments?  How would you like to see us move forward?  Do you agree or disagree with the requests that ADAPT has made on behalf of its own leadership and constituency and the broader disability community? If not, what would you add or subtract?

Poll Shows Majority Fail to See Offense in Obama's "Joke"

Further evidence of why a PUBLIC response by the White House is necessary--a Huffington Post online poll reports that at least 54% of readers thought should not be taken as offensive.  (I'm not exactly sure how to interpret the "Why are we even talking about this" category.) Clearly we have a long way to go toward sensitizing the public to the offensiveness of derogatory and belittling words and attitudes.

Online Poll Results from the Huffington Post (March 19, 2009):

Obama's joke about the Special Olympics was...

Just a light-hearted, self-deprecating comment. Get over it people.    27.47%

Maybe a dumb thing to say, but he didn't mean it in a mean-spirited way, and it is pretty funny.  26.11%

A tasteless comment that he should not have said, period.  24.83%

Why are we even talking about this?   21.59%

>>> To Vote or Read the Accompanying Article

Comment Below: How would you vote in this poll?  Are these public reactions surprising to you?  How would you interpret the "Why are we even talking about this?" response? What are some strategies for increasing public awareness about offensive language and attitudes?  Do we need to sensitize the public or do you think they are sensitive enough?  When is a joke "just a joke?" Is it ever?

White House Statement on Obama's Leno Interview

Excerpt from

THE WHITE HOUSE

 

Office of the Press Secretary

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                                 March 19, 2009

 

 

PRESS GAGGLE

BY DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY BILL BURTON

 

Aboard Air Force One

En Route Washington, D.C.

 

 

6:30 P.M. PDT

 

 

     MR. BURTON:  Good afternoon.  The President made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics.  He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world...

>>> For the Full Gaggle

Comment Below: Short and Sweet. Their reaction was swift, releasing an explanation before the interview had aired. Did this impact your reaction or thought processes at all?  Why or why not?

Message About President's Insult from Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President

Message from Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President (March 3, 2009):

Many of you have emailed me about the Special Olympics issue.  I certainly appreciate everyone's comments and thoughts.  Perhaps most importantly, the President and I very much appreciate the overwhelming support and belief in the President's commitment to people with disabilities.  A number of you have offered to help in any way you can.  We appreciate that.

Just want to briefly outline for everyone the President's responses and apology.  I think it's clear that the President's response was personal to the Special Olympics community as well as more inclusive of the entire 600 million persons with disabilities across the World.  

The President has taken several steps regarding his comments about the Special Olympics last week. 

First and foremost, the night of the comments (before they were shown on the Tonight show), the President personally called Tim Shriver (President of Special Olympics) from Air Force One to apologize for the comments.  The President explained to Mr. Shriver that his comments were not intended to disparage any Special Olympics athlete or any person with a disability.  President Obama further stated that he has been a long supporter of the Special Olympics and all people with disabilities, and he has great respect for people with disabilities.  In fact, the President told Mr. Shriver that he was very pleased when Vice-President Biden recently visited the Special Olympics World Winter Games where Vice-President Biden announced a key appointment of a person with a disability who is responsible for disability related matters on the President's staff.  The President again apologized for his statements.

Second, the Deputy Press Secretary issued a short statement of apology from Air Force One the same night.  It is clear from these quick responses that President Obama's commitment to people with disabilities is not in question.

The President's apology was clearly directed at all persons with disabilities.

Many of you have discussed language usage, inclusion for people with disabilities and the President's overall commitment to the community. 

I think we need look no further than the town hall in California that took place the day before the comments where President Obama was asked a spontaneous question about people with disabilities.  His answer clearly demonstrates his understanding and commitment to people with disabilities.  He clearly stated his vision for full inclusion and integration of people with disabilities across the federal government.

I also have spoken with Mr. Shriver and several other national leaders in the disability community to again convey the President's apologies.

President Obama's first two months have been filled with positivity for the disability community from the signing of SCHIP, to appointing 3 persons at the White House to handle disability issues, to inclusion of people with disabilities at the fiscal summit, health summits (both regional and at the White House), to inclusion of people with disabilities at all public White House events, just to name a few.  So, with regard to the inclusion of a disability agenda into the White House agenda, it's clear that this already is in process. 

I look forward to continuing to work with you all as we move forward and build on this administration's vision for people with disabilities.

Kareem Dale

Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy

The White House

Comment Below: How does Kareem Dale's message affect your reaction to the President's comments?  What do you agree or disagree with? What would your message to  Mr. Dale be? 

Special Olympics Responds to Obama's Insult on Leno

MARCH 20, 2009
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHAIRMAN
TIMOTHY SHRIVER
REGARDING U.S. PRESIDENT OBAMA S COMMENT ON
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO

President Obama called last night and expressed his regret and he apologized. He said that he
did not intend to humiliate Special Olympics athletes or people with intellectual disabilities. He was
sincere and heartfelt, and said that he is a fan of our movement and is ready to work with our
athletes to make the United States a more accepting and welcoming country for all people with
special needs.

Words hurt and words matter. Words can cause pain and result in stereotypes that are unfair and
damaging to people with intellectual disabilities. And using Special Olympics in a negative or
derogatory context can be a humiliating put-down to people with special needs.

This is a teachable moment for our country. We are asking young people, parents and leaders
from all walks of life to engage in conversation and help dispel negative caricatures about people
with intellectual disabilities. We believe that it s only through open conversation and dialogue about
how stereotypes can cause pain that we can begin to work together to create communities of
acceptance and inclusion for all.

Special Olympics is not a program, but a worldwide movement operating 30,000 events a year in
more than 180 countries. Every one of them is a chance for people of all ages to get involved, to
think differently about attitudes and perceptions they may have about people with intellectual
disabilities, and to make a difference.

And so we challenge people to join our Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, a youth-led
national awareness effort that will launch on March 31, where we are asking people to pledge their respect for people with special needs. We're asking people to sign our R-word pledge, to join in our Unified Sports programs, to volunteer, and to be fans of our athletes and our movement.
Additionally, we challenge policy leaders at all levels to commit to improving the support and
resources for people with intellectual disabilities in areas such as healthcare, education, housing
and recreation.

Finally, we invite the President to take the lead and consider hiring a Special Olympics athlete to
work in the White House. In so doing, he could help end misperceptions about the talents and
abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, and demonstrate their dignity and value to the world.

Comment Below: Does Tim Shriver's response capture your reaction to the President's insult?  How would you like to see the President make amends and go forward? How have you used this "teachable moment" to educate those around you?

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

From the Brain Injury Association of America:

Brain Injury Awareness Month 2009

Did you know March is Brain Injury Awareness Month? It is and each March the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and the BIA chartered state affiliates throughout the United States partner together with other organizations, businesses, schools, survivors and their families and others to generate awareness and understanding of brain injury. This year’s focus is dedicated to Sports & Concussions, specifically youth sports.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an estimated 1.6-3.8 million sports and recreation related concussions occur in the U.S. each year. Concussions occur even if an athlete doesn’t lose consciousness and in fact, is the most common type of brain injury sustained in sports...

... Throughout the month of March BIAA, BIA chartered state affiliates and others will promote sports and concussions awareness and understanding through open houses, special events and media opportunities to name a few. A web banner, a fact sheet, Tracy’s Story; words from a student athlete who sustained a brain injury and other resources are available by download to the public and our partners. (See downloadable files below.)

To learn more about what events are taking place in your community, or state during March, or to get involved contact your local chartered state affiliate, or the BIAA office today.

>>> For the Full Announcement,
Awareness and Publicity Materials

AAPD 2009 Leadership Gala Tickets on Sale Now

2009 AAPD Leadership Gala Fact Sheet

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The National Building Museum
401 F Street, NW
Washington, DC

5:45pm- 7:00pm Reception
7:00pm- 9:00pm Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Emcees:    Robert David Hall, Actor and Disability Activist
The Honorable Tony Coelho

With special appearance by Sam Moore, the legendary "Soul Man."

Co-Chairs: Debra Carnahan, Missouri
Chris English, Pennsylvania
Cheryl Sensenbrenner, Wisconsin

What:    Bringing together leaders from government, business, and the disability and civil rights communities, in recognition of the important work of AAPD and the 2009 award recipients, the 2009 AAPD Leadership Gala will be a celebration of achievement, leadership and progress toward AAPD’s vision of political and economic power for all people living with disabilities in the U.S.

The 2009 AAPD Leadership Gala will celebrate the progress made for people with disabilities and the extraordinary leaders who have made it possible. AAPD Leadership Gala keynote speakers have included: White House Chief of Staff Andy Card, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, Senator Bob Dole, and Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta; the Emcees have been esteemed journalist Judy Woodruff and The Honorable Tony Coehlo.

Who:    Attendees will include Washington dignitaries, community and business leaders, and disabilities rights leaders.

Why:    The AAPD Leadership Gala serves as a forum for recognizing, empowering, and supporting both emerging and established leaders in the disability community, as well as for inspiring and mobilizing all attendees to increase their advocacy in support of realizing the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Recipients were selected through competitive national processes to accept the following prestigious awards, all of which will be presented at the Gala:
Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Awards – three $10,000 cash awards are given to emerging leaders in the disability community.

Cost:    Individual tickets will be $250; $100 discounted tickets for AAPD members.  Must be a member for at least one year to be eligible to receive the discount.  To purchase tickets online go to -   https://secure.netsolhost.com/aapd.com/galatickets.html  To purchase tickets over the phone please call 703-714-2363/ TTY = 703-556-0808.

Founded in 1995, AAPD is now the largest cross-disability membership organization in the United States, working toward the economic self-sufficiency and political power for the more than 50 million Americans with disabilities. AAPD organizes the disability community to be a powerful force for change – economically, politically, and socially.

For additional information, please contact
UniQue Webster at AAPD:  (202) 349-5848 (V/TTY), uwebster@aapd.com, or Kelly Mills at Hayes & Associates:  (703) 714-2366