Breaking Barriers: Disabling Disability Myths

An Inspirational but Very Serious Look at the Myths Surrounding Individuals Living with Disabilities Through the Examination of the Life of a Local Celebrity and Television Actor. Katie Lieb became endeared in the hearts of the tri-state area when she debuted in the “Amazing Kids” campaign at the age of seven. Today Katie is a well known local personality who along with her family continue to break barriers within the community, across the state and along the East coast. If you’ve ever felt awkward around an individual with a disability this presentation is for you.

 

Don’t Fix Me, I’m Not Broken: Disabilities Etiquette

The law says that all employees will work in an environment that provides equal opportunities. All employees should be hired, rewarded or reprimanded strictly based on job qualifications and job performance, without regard to race, age, sex, disability, religion, or national origin. But the reality is that discrimination - especially subtle discrimination and harassment - continues to exist and even thrive in some of our workplaces. It's everyday stereotypes and assumptions about our differences that are the basis for most discrimination claims. This workshop focuses on issues relating to people with disabilities – from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to conversation etiquette. It’s a common sense approach to relating to individuals with disabilities.

 

If you do not know how to incorporate people with disabilities into your business, agency or organization, If you are nervous, and just plain uncomfortable around people who have disabilities, or if you would like to have more friends, and be an influence in your community, this presentation is for you.

Accessible Housing: Building A Place of My Own

Independence and integration are among the most important values and goals shared by people with disabilities, their families, and advocates. A home of one's own - either rented or owned - is the cornerstone of independence for people with disabilities. When a person with a disability has a decent, safe, and affordable home, then he or she has the opportunity to become part of the community. With stable housing, people with disabilities are able to achieve other important life goals, including education, job training, and employment.

 

In this presentation we address issues surrounding accessible housing, design guidelines, ADA community requirements, project funding and low cost technologies to making a home accessible.