Available Service Dog

This blog as always strived to bring helpful information to those who may need it.
An email was sent to me.

Hi everyone,

As many of you know, I am involved with For Better Independence
Assistant Dogs (FBI for short). FBI currently has a large but very
gentle German Shepard named Rocket who needs a client. Rocket was
scheduled to be placed as a brace dog in April but the client's
circumstances have changed and she can no longer take a dog.

Brace dogs are a particular kind of service dog. They can do all the
same things as other service dogs--turn on lights, open doors, pick up
objects, answer the phone, get help--but they can also help someone who
has fallen down to get back up (typically after a seizure). Brace dogs
are particularly difficult to find because they must be large and sturdy
while also being unusually calm and gentle. Rocket fits that
description to a "T" and we would like to place him with someone who
could use his distinct skills. If you have a client who suffers from
frequent falls and could benefit from having a service dog, please
contact me. I can put you in contact with Beth Spanski, FBI's Executive
Director, who can explain more.

Thanks,

Michelle Rutkowski
H.R. Analyst
517-887-4374

A New look is in store for Accessibility Today

Hello all,
It has been a while since I've posted, but in an attempt to make this blog as accessible as possible. Software tools, applications are being explored.
Stay tuned for future updates and thank you for all loyal followers of my blog.

Something to Think about...

Are You Going To Finish Strong? Awesome video! If you watch only one video today make sure it is this one! Nick Vujicic has no limbs but he leads an incredible life!

How can I help You?

Well today is the day after Christmas and hopefully you got everything on your wish list. For those who did not you'll be one of the many being asked, "How can I help You"? I have noticed that sales people can get a little flustered when they interact with a customer who has a disability.

My friend had went into Best Buy and was looking at hands free headset for home use and a sales person has approached my friend and started talking about all the features each set offered,which was great. I myself appreciate any knowledgeable insight before I purchase anything. The awkwardness was apparent when the sales man started to say, "alot of our uh, um, blind customers like this one."

It was clear that the sales person did not want to offend my friend(who used a wheelchair)by using the term blind. Although there was nothing wrong with his statement, he was not confident about the correct language to use when interacting with a person with a disability. Which brings me to the reason for this post. There is a growing need for sensitivity training.

Sensitivity training can dispel misconceptions that an individual may have about a person with a disability, it can also demonstrate "person first" language when addressing a person with a disability. It is always better to say,"person with a disability" than a "disabled person."

According to a recent study by Diversity,Inc. People with disabilities have $220 billion in discretionary spending power. 62% of people with disabilities say they are likely to do business with companies that have a commitment to diversity and equal treatment of employees.

Personally, I will not return to a store or restaurant that I feel has not treat me with the same dignity and respect as its other customers. I also know that "word of mouth" greatly influences where a spend my money. Personal attention and professionalism is they key to ANYONE being a repeat customer and stimulating the economy.

As always, your comments are appreciated.

New video and poll survey post on accessibility today blog

Hello,
Please take the time to participate in Accessibility Polling Place Survey. This poll will be up for 2 weeks and you can see the results there as well.


Also a great video about the "Last Lecture" is there Enjoy!

"Last Lecture" by Professor Randy Pausch

Please take the time to watch this remarkable video.I know it is rather long, but it has truly change my view on how important it is to cherish every moment of your life!


Here is the transcript in PDF

Exercise your right to vote

As we all know Tuesday, November 4th is your chance to vote.
No mattter who your canidate of choice is, if you don't vote you lose your voice.
this helpful linkwill help you find your polling place, tells you what to bring with you when you vote and a 1866-ourvote number to call if you have a voting problem.