Getting Back At It

Your friendly neighborhood super-advocate is finally back. It has been quite a while since I last posted as my loyal readers will have noticed. The last time I came to you I wrote a post on how to make the voice of the voiceless even louder. While the post got a large number of views, which I appreciate, I want to remind everyone that the best way to follow this blog is to make sure you’re following it on Blogspot. Occasionally I may not post a blog on the Facebook page.

Now that that’s out of the way I wanted to thank everyone for their overwhelming support not only in the past but recently as well. I was afraid that when I promised a new direction for the Voiceless Minority and did not stick with my five posts a week, my readership would suffer. Readership has done the exact opposite. I thank you for your support while I was not feeling well. While this post is on the shorter side, come back next week for in-depth investigations into a variety of topics. On Monday we will revisit one of the most popular topics on this blog recently. For those of you who remember several weeks ago, I did a blog on the Lego company. It specifically focused on adaptive Legos for the blind community. 

The response that that particular blog received has inspired my curiosity. That being said, Monday’s blog will discuss not only adaptive Legos but the concept of adaptive toys in general. Are there other toys out there for people with disabilities, i.e. toys for individuals with sensory issues or those with dexterity issues, or even toys that cater to a particular disability like the Legos do? Let me hear from you so that I can research and address them in future posts.

Until Monday, remember whatever life throws at you your attitude can help determine how the situation turns out as well as how far you go in life, aka your attitude. 

Getting Back To Basics: How Can I Spread The Message of The Voiceless Minority

Your friendly neighborhood super advocate is back with this week’s Spectacular Saturday post. I must begin by thanking you for your overwhelming support for Thursday’s 100th post. Your continued support gives me the motivation, and the ability to advocate even when I am not feeling up to it. I can’t thank you enough for that support. I come to you today with a call to action. The Voiceless Minority is growing. Soon we will no longer be voiceless. Our Facebook page has exploded ever since I started posting five days per week. The amount of views amazes me every day. I am inspired by the overwhelming number of comments for my recent post. Even though I respond to as many comments as possible, some of them are anonymous and not signed by their author. Let’s keep the conversation going and use the power of The Voiceless Minority to further strengthen the voice of the voiceless. There are several ways to keep the conversation going.

Firstly, if you see that I have replied to a comment you made, reply back to me, and let’s see how long we can keep the conversation going. If you are wondering how to see if I replied to your comment read the rest of this blog. It will not only show you how to follow the actual blog on blogger.com but also by following on Blogger you will never miss a post, in the case that I don’t get a chance to put it on the Facebook page. Secondly and perhaps most importantly, if the blog gains more followers, it will bring more attention to not only the blog that I write but also to the disability community and the issues that affect us on a daily basis. 

To follow the Voiceless Minority blog on Blogger follow the steps below

1. Sign in/Signup to Blogger.com which is free

2. For the “Choose Name For Blog” screen you can click the skip button in the bottom left corner if you don’t want to create a blog

3. If you skipped to the next screen click on the lines in the top left corner of your screen if it did not automatically bring you to the next screen.

4. Click the reading list on the left side of the page if it is not on that page already

5. Insert the link for The Voiceless Minority 

        https://thevoicelssminority.blogspot.com/

Before I sign off today, I just wanted to remind you, my loyal readers, that advocacy comes in many forms. One can advocate directly to policymakers whether they have a disability or not. One can read or write literature about disability. One can do the same with popular forms of entertainment. The most powerful form of advocacy is to start a conversation or keep it going by sharing publications or personal stories you may hear. Remember one voice can change the world but other people must hear that voice for anything to change. Enjoy the weekend and look forward to Monday’s blog about another disability-related issue but we will also remember the tragedy that took place 22 years ago in the United States known throughout the world as 9/11.

Till next time, 

Jay 

Breaking Down Barriers: The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and Its Significance to the Disability Community

Hello again, yes it’s me your friendly neighborhood super advocate. A warm welcome to all of my new readers who are checking out the blog for the first time. I want to welcome you to a friendly, engaging, informative, and sometimes funny look at anything and everything that has to do with disabilities and the disability community. To all my returning readers, welcome back. No matter which group you fall into, you’ve stumbled upon the Voiceless Minority on a very special day. Yes, it has finally happened after a decade of writing this blog - today marks the 100th post for the Voiceless Minority. I could not have done it without you. I started this blog as an outlet for my anger and the hurt I was feeling after being denied the opportunity to follow what I truly believed at the time was my passion. When I started this blog, I thought I wanted to be a high school history teacher and teach theater after school. I apparently didn’t know myself as well as I thought. They say that “things happen for a reason” or as I like to call it listening to God and actually paying attention to what He is saying by applying it to your life.

Since this post celebrates an important milestone in my advocacy, I felt that it would be fitting to write a post about a specific movement within disability history that recently celebrated its own 55th anniversary. Now that we’ve celebrated the success of The Voiceless Minority, it is time to get back to what this blog is all about, disability advocacy and the disability community as a whole. On August 12th we celebrated the Architectural Barriers Act and its impact on the disability community.  Even though it was passed 55 years ago it still has a great amount of impact on the lives of people with disabilities today. I hope you enjoy the rest of the blog. 

In 1968, amidst the civil rights movement and a wave of legislative changes, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) into law. This groundbreaking legislation was a pivotal moment in the history of disability rights in the United States. The ABA aimed to eliminate physical barriers that hindered access for individuals with disabilities in federally funded buildings and facilities, setting the stage for more inclusive and accessible spaces. In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 for the disability community and its lasting impact on the built environment.

Before the ABA, people with disabilities faced numerous challenges when trying to access public buildings, transportation, and facilities. Rampant architectural barriers such as stairs without ramps or elevators, narrow doorways, and inaccessible restrooms limited their mobility and independence. These barriers perpetuated discrimination and exclusion, making it difficult for individuals with disabilities to participate fully in public life.

Key Provisions of the ABA

The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 addressed these issues head-on by requiring that all federally funded buildings and facilities be designed, constructed, and altered to be accessible To people with disabilities. Here are some of the key provisions that make the ABA an important piece of legislation:

1. Definition of Covered Buildings: The ABA applies to buildings and facilities designed, constructed, altered, or leased with federal funds. This includes a wide range of structures, from government offices and post offices to national parks and military bases.

2. Accessibility Standards: The ABA established specific accessibility standards and guidelines, ensuring that facilities would be designed to accommodate people with various types of disabilities. These standards laid the foundation for subsequent accessibility regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

3. Enforcement Mechanisms: The ABA empowered the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (often referred to as the "Access Board") to develop and maintain accessibility standards. Federal agencies were responsible for enforcing these standards and ensuring compliance in their projects.

Impact on the Disability Community

The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 had a profound and lasting impact on the disability community for several reasons:

1. Increased Accessibility: The ABA led to the removal of many physical barriers in federally funded buildings, making them more accessible to people with disabilities. This change greatly improved the quality of life for individuals who previously faced significant limitations in their daily activities.

2. Trailblazing Legislation: The ABA set a precedent for disability rights legislation in the United States. It paved the way for subsequent laws like the ADA, which extended accessibility requirements to the private sector, further enhancing the rights and opportunities of individuals with disabilities.

3. Promotion of Inclusivity: By requiring accessible design in federally funded facilities, the ABA promoted a culture of inclusivity and equality. It sent a powerful message that all citizens, regardless of their abilities, have the right to access and participate in public life.

4. Advocacy and Awareness: The ABA spurred advocacy efforts within the disability community and raised awareness about the importance of accessible design. This activism contributed to the passage of subsequent legislation and the ongoing work to ensure equal access for all.

The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 stands as a crucial milestone in the history of disability rights and accessibility in the United States. By addressing the physical barriers that hindered access to federally funded buildings and facilities, this legislation laid the foundation for a more inclusive society. It empowered the disability community, promoted equal rights, and set the stage for further advancements in accessibility. As we reflect on the legacy of the ABA, it is clear that its importance to the disability community cannot be overstated, and its impact continues to be felt today as we strive for a more inclusive and accessible future for all.

If you enjoyed this blog, please leave a comment either on this post or on our social media. Even if you don’t accept or agree with all the information presented above, we hope you keep coming back to continue to learn about the disability community. 

Till tomorrow, 

Jay

When Should I Start Teaching My Kids About the Different Types of Disabilities and Disabled People In General?

Your friendly neighborhood super advocate is back! In yesterday’s post, we discussed parenting with a disability for the third time. Since there was a great deal of interest in that blog post, I thought today would be the perfect time to deliver and talk about a topic that I mentioned at the end of last Friday’s blog post. 

Since I began blogging over a decade ago, I cannot count how many times I’ve heard the following question, “Since you write a lot about disability I was wondering, when is the right time or age for me as a parent to begin teaching my child about disabilities and disabled people in general?” For the longest time, I did not have a simple answer to this question. 

As a person with a disability, I have always believed that the earlier we expose children to a disability or any type of difference whether it be race, cultural background, disability, and/or language, this will foster acceptance, open-mindedness, and overall compassion. Children are impressionable if you teach them or if you raise them to be polite and nice to everyone then it is fair to assume they will not only grow up to be polite and respectful adults, but they will gain respect from others as well. 

In terms of teaching your child about the world of disability and the people who live in it, I recently came across an article that sums it up better than I can. An article on Today.com from July 28, 2020, entitled “How to teach children about disability, at every age,” puts it best. In the article, they use a quote from a woman by the name of Michelle Nario-Redmond. For those not familiar with Miss Nario-Redmond, she is a psychology professor and the author of the academic textbook "Ableism: The Causes and Consequences of Disability Prejudice".  She states in the article that when parents “yank the kids away from approaching a person with a visible disability, kids pick up on the fact that there's ‘something wrong,’ ‘something shameful,’ that they should avoid.” 

Rather than rehash the whole article I will include a link to it in this post. 

Miss Nario-Redmond and I believe that the earlier you teach not to fear or view people with disabilities as different, the sooner we will all learn that different is something to be celebrated, not scorned. 

Until tomorrow, your friendly neighborhood super advocate is signing off for the night.

Jay

Article and textbook mentioned above:

How to teach children about disability, at every age

Ableism: The Causes and Consequences of Disability Prejudice

Parenting Series: How One’s Perspective Can Change Given The Right Circumstances

Happy Taco Tuesday everyone! Thank you for the continued support you have shown over the past few weeks. Today will be the third in a series about parenting with a disability. I did not intend for this topic to be a series of blogs but the topic keeps finding relevance in my life and I hope to continue to impact others as well. 

I began writing about parenting with a disability a decade ago. The first blog was entitled "Who Says We Can't Have A Family". Who Says We Can't Have A Family  Two years later I wrote a second blog entitled “Parenthood & Me”. Parenthood & Me 

If you read both blogs, you may be a little confused. I sound like a rolling contradiction (: Both of these blogs were written while I was single as a pringle. In the first blog, I had a positive outlook on having a biological child. In the second blog, I said something to the effect of after thinking about it I would be doing a disservice to a young child, and I stated that I thought it would be more appropriate if I adopted an older child. Well, eight years have passed since I wrote the second blog and by some strange facet of the universe, or as I like to call it God’s Divine Plan, I am no longer single as a pringle. I have been lucky enough to capture a little space alien named Samantha “Elizabeth” Lebron. Her middle name is not actually Elizabeth. I just gave it to her because she looks just as beautiful as Elizabeth Taylor. (I know Samantha you hate your imposed middle name, but oh well I guess you will have to give me one soon.) Back to my point.  A lot has changed. I now have someone I want to build a life with and hopefully have a child or multiple children with. With that in mind my views on children haven’t changed; they have just gained some perspective. While I continue to believe adoption is still an option, and there a lot of kids out there who need a good home regardless of whether they are disabled or not, my desire to have biological children is stronger now than it has ever been. 

In closing in the first blog, I said that I did not know much about assistive technology for taking care of a child when you are a parent that has a disability. Since the purpose of this blog serves as a resource for everyone as well as to inform people about what living with a disability entails, I plan on researching assistive devices and equipment further and will be writing a fourth blog on parenting with a disability in the future.

Enjoy your Taco Tuesday and come back tomorrow for another interesting blog post from The Voiceless Minority.  

P.S. If anyone has any ideas for upcoming blog posts or wants to be a guest writer please leave a comment below or contact me via email at jasonhahr@gmail.com

Your Friendly Neighborhood Super Advocate, 

Jay  

Finding Your Faith Again

Happy Labor Day everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed what you read on the Voiceless Minority last week. I know in Friday’s post I said that the next blog would be about the topic of when the right time to teach your children about a disability is, however, there’s something that came up over the weekend that has made me decide to move that blog until later into the week.

I mentioned a little about how my faith journey was rekindled in Thursday’s post but as God often does He puts us right where we need to be and to hear the exact word we need to when we need it. On Sunday I was watching church online with Sam. The church is called The Crossing and is located in Tampa. I wish I could go to services in person but the online service will have to do for now.

As I have mentioned several times before I was raised Catholic and for the longest time I considered myself a recovering Catholic, not because I did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, (I never stopped believing that) but because I was disenchanted with the practices of the Catholic church I felt, and this is just my own personal belief that the church did not resonate with me and they were concerned too much about making a profit. I have tried to get back into organized religion on one other occasion. I found a church where I was going to school in Pennsylvania that was nondenominational where I found a “home” for the first time. I did not feel like I was faking it. Unfortunately, due to circumstances that I have discussed in other blogs for this page, I chose to relocate with my parents and move to Florida.

Once I got to Florida you can say that the world or if you like the devil got into my head. I became really depressed, negative, and disconnected from God. At my lowest point, I was ready to forget all about the higher power or as I believe Jesus and why he put me here to live the life I live. That all changed about two months ago when my girlfriend Samantha started getting involved in her faith journey. She has gone down the path of faith since January but really hit her stride two months ago when she told me about the Crossing Church. She had been attending and she also told me they had services online. I’ve only attended two but immediately I was struck by the message that the minister was preaching that day, however, it wasn’t until last Sunday that I knew this was exactly what I’d been looking for. 

He did a Sermon on communication and relationships with others as well as going over the church’s principles he explained that in every church no matter what denomination as long as they believe in Jesus the core message is the same but he referred to each church as a part of the body of Christ. He simplified it by saying each church is like an organ in the body. They have their specific assignment meaning that the Crossing mission may be different than another church’s but they all work together to support the whole body. After explaining this he outlined the principles of the Crossing and related them back to specific passages in scripture. I will attach the message notes at the bottom of this blog so that if you choose to you can read them for yourself.

In closing, one’s faith journey might look different than someone else’s but God gives us exactly what we need to progress further in that journey even if we don’t know that we need it. No one is perfect and by no means do I consider myself perfect. We were all born into sin the only way we will find redemption is through Jesus.

Sorry, this post wasn’t strictly about people with disabilities but as I said earlier in this post God speaks through us, we just have to listen. Some people with disabilities may be down like I was but remember attitude is altitude and He will help you go further than anyone or anything.

Till tomorrow this has been your friendly neighborhood super advocate.

Jay

     

An Introduction To The Concept of Self-Determination and How It Can Be Applied In Your Life

Thank you for your overwhelming support of yesterday's blog about Braille Legos. Today's post will be a little bit different. Near the end of August, I was lucky enough to be a part of a team that gave a presentation on what is known as self-determination. For those of you who are reading this but were unable to attend the presentation I thought I would write a blog using easy-to-understand language about the concept.

Introduction:

In the journey towards creating an inclusive society, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s principles of self-determination serve as strong examples of empowerment. These principles emphasize the significance of autonomy, choice, and personal growth for individuals with disabilities. Let’s delve into the essence of self-determination and explore its profound impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

Understanding Self-Determination: 

At its core, self-determination encompasses the idea that individuals with disabilities have the right to make choices about their own lives and actively participate in decisions that affect them. This concept champions the belief that everyone, regardless of ability, possesses the innate capability to lead a fulfilling life and pursue their aspirations.

Principle 1: Freedom to Make Choices:

The first principle underscores the freedom we have to make choices according to our preferences, interests, and values. This freedom extends beyond trivial decisions to encompass major life choices, such as education, career, relationships, and living arrangements. Recognizing and respecting these choices helps foster a sense of ownership over one’s life journey.

Principle 2: Authority Over Supports:

Having authority over the types of support and assistance we receive is pivotal for us. This principle acknowledges that each person’s needs and goals are unique, and thus, we should have the power to determine the kind of support that aligns with our aspirations. This approach shifts the focus from a “one size fits all” approach to a personalized, tailored support system. 

Principle 3: Control Over Resources:

Financial independence and control over resources play a significant role in self-determination. Individuals with disabilities should have access to information about available resources and the autonomy to manage their finances. This empowerment helps us plan for our futures and make informed decisions that positively impact our lives.

Principle 4: Opportunities to Learn and Grow:

Continuous learning and personal growth are fundamental to leading a self-determined life. This principle emphasizes providing individuals with disabilities equal opportunities for education, skill development, and vocational training. These avenues not only enhance our abilities but also amplify our voices and allow us to gain confidence and realize our full potential.

Principle 5: Participate in Community Life:

Inclusion within the community is a cornerstone of self-determination. Individuals with disabilities should have the chance to actively engage in social, recreational, and cultural activities, just like everyone else. This principle dismantles barriers and encourages the forging of meaningful connections to lead a rich and fulfilling life. It is only by self-growth and by developing who you are as a person, whether it is in the disability community or otherwise, that you can move onto the final principle which is all about giving back.

Principle 6: The Ability to Give Back to the Disability Community and Advocate for the Rights of People with Disabilities:

In my presentation, I only use 5 principles, but the sixth principle is otherwise known as confirmation. Once you are living the other five principles to the best of your ability it is your responsibility to give back and complete the circle of learning. As people with disabilities, we have a responsibility to learn about our rights and once we have done so, it is our job to pass that knowledge along to future generations of advocates. This could be done in a variety of ways through presentations like the one I gave at the conference, through blogs like this one, or even taking advantage of the times and posting videos on social media.

In conclusion, the principles discussed above if applied correctly, will help us on the path to personal empowerment. Once we empower ourselves and gain confidence in ourselves, we can push for societal change to break down barriers, challenge systematic and societal biases as well and create an environment no matter if you have a disability or not where your dreams and aspirations are honored and supported. If this occurs even in the long term, we will have built a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Thank you for your overwhelming support of this blog. I hope you have an enjoyable weekend. Now I know Monday is Labor Day but advocacy doesn't take holidays therefore neither does The Voiceless Minority. Come back on Monday to not only support the workers of America but start the back-to-school season with a blog that raises an important but not often asked question. "When is the right time to start teaching my kids about disabilities?"

Your Friendly Neighborhood Super Advocate, 
Jay