Global Accessibility Awareness Day Part II

A collage of four photos that demonstrate different types of accessibility issues. 

Top left: A laptop with accessible features for web.

Top Right shows a cartoon series of individuals some wearing headphones for auditory processing challenges.

Bottom Left: A handful of people in a crowded space some are wearing masks for invisible disabilities 

Bottom Right is a series of steps leading up to a building demonstrating the need for elimination of physical barriers.

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day. As we celebrate let’s remember accessibility can take on many forms. When we make the world more accessible to all we make it more inclusive.

#GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #Technology #DisabilityAwareness #Disability #GAAD2023 #GAAD

Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023

A futuristic assistive tech concept art with sleek design, neon lights, holographic interface, personalized AI, and a user-friendly experience.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day may officially be two days away, but advocacy isn’t dictated by a calendar. As we prepare to celebrate, I am reminded of both the progress we've made and the challenges that remain.

Recently, a story in YourTango by Nia Tipton highlighted an all-too-familiar story of a disabled passenger who shared in a viral TikTok that she was forced to exit the plane without her mobility aids. Despite having made prior arrangements for wheelchair assistance, she was left stranded on her flight, forced to walk off the plane, tripped, fell, and eventually passed out due to the lack of necessary assistance. She was then rushed through the airport, berated, and made to feel like a burden.

This is not the world we should be living in. This is not the experience anyone should have to go through.

And yet, there is a glimmer of hope. CultofMac.com reports that this week, ahead of WWDC23 Apple previewed some of their upcoming features aimed at those with disabilities. Among these features are 'Live Speech' and 'Personal Voice', these tools allow people with disabilities to type what they want to say and have it spoken aloud, or to have their own speech transformed into clear, synthetic speech. In creating these features, Apple isn't just making their products more accessible; they are affirming our worth, our potential, and our place in the world.

While these advances in technology are promising, challenges persist. As Caroline Casey founder of the Valuable 500 writes in a recent Forbes piece, "Discrimination of people with disabilities is a protracted tale – but this should be a motivator or an opportunity to be accountable and take action." We need to address the systematic issues that continue to marginalize individuals with disabilities, particularly in the workplace.

The facts are stark. Recent research from the Valuable 500 shows that only 3% of leaders would speak out openly about their disability or caregiving role. When we consider that 1 in 4 has a disability, this is troubling. We need to make space for different perspectives, cultivate workplaces where employees are able to be their authentic selves. We need leaders who understand disability does not equate to inability and that our experiences, voices, and insights are not only necessary but also enriching. Companies looking to be more inclusive should look for more than a culture fit. They should strive for a culture add.

On this lead up to to Global Accessibility Awareness Day, let's remember that our journey toward creating an inclusive and equitable society for all, including people with disabilities, is ongoing. It’s not only about installing ramps and elevators or developing speech recognition software—it's about fostering respect, empathy, and understanding. It's about acknowledging that disability is not a deficit but simply a different way of experiencing the world.

The Toll of Advocacy On Mental Health

A stressed and duress brain depicted in the form of digital art. The brain is shown as being red and pulsating with veins visible.

Advocacy is not complaining.

Constantly advocating for our rights can take a toll on our mental health. Fighting for equal access and accommodations should not be seen as "complaining" or "problematic," but rather as a necessary step to ensure that we are able to live our lives. Yet, too often advocacy is dismissed as a nuisance by those who aren’t able or refuse to understand our lived experience.

Advocacy is about educating, raising awareness, and creating change. Those who view it as a problem do so from a place of privilege. Having the audacity to ask for equality isn’t complaining. What too many advocates know is that if laws were upheld, if equity were normative, if the 61 million disabled Americans or 1.3 billion worldwide felt heard and understood, we wouldn’t have to be as persistent as we are to effect change.

Persistence often gets mislabeled as a problem, when in actuality the problem itself is the inequity, and injustice we grapple with daily. Too often when faced with the question of which problem is easier to solve, the scale overwhelmingly tips toward silencing us as advocates. The inequity we’re laser focused on addressing is dismissed as either too costly, too time-consuming, or too unimportant to solve.

Advocacy can sometimes be a threat to our psychological and physical safety. As a recent case in New York City highlights, we may face significant challenges when seeking reasonable accommodations for our disability. The New York Post reports a woman is facing eviction after requesting reasonable accommodations for her disability following a note from her co-op stating she “complained" too much after initial requests were ignored.

The optics and power imbalances are also hard to ignore. While some advocates are thought to be complaining, the same complaint from someone in a position of power gains traction. As Amanda Morris of The Washington Post reported Friday, The Mobile Act, aimed at easing air travel for disabled passengers, has gained bipartisan support in Congress thanks to the leadership and advocacy of Senator Duckworth who has led the charge for equitable travel since joining Congress in 2013.

Advocating for our rights and equal access should not be seen as a burden or a complaint. It is our right as individuals with disabilities to have equal access to housing, employment, and other opportunities. However, it is important to recognize the toll that constantly fighting for our rights can take on our mental health and well-being.

A survey conducted by the Disability Rights Bar Association hosted by Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University found 77% of disabled respondents reported experiencing discrimination, and 73% reported experiencing mental health issues related to that discrimination.

It is time for society to recognize the importance of accessibility and the rights of disabled individuals and to work toward creating a more inclusive and supportive world for all.

#MentalHealthAwareness

From The Classroom To The Boardroom: A Journey of Disability Mental Health

A disabled wheelchair user sits with his hands covering his face in frustration.

As I reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month, I am reminded of the ongoing struggles that disabled people face daily. For those of us living with disabilities, the fight for equal rights and accommodations often feels like an uphill battle. From the classroom to the workplace, we're fighting for our right to exist as we are.

I've written previously about the lack of planning and forethought that goes into disabled people's evacuation plans in active shooter drills. To quote Emily Ladau in a recent HuffPost article, "Their emergency plan was really to not have an emergency plan. It really made me feel like they couldn't be bothered to protect me, and it was very much every person for themselves."

And the "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol advised by federal agencies provides little solace to disabled people who are often not able to do any of the above. Instead, more often than not, we're advised to wait. Wait and hope that we make it out alive simply because protocols for us don't exist.

I think of the long-term mental health impact that has had on me. That from a young age, society at large considers me disposable.

Then there's the workplace. A newly released report by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Job Accommodation Network found that nearly half of workplace accommodations made for people with disabilities can be implemented at no cost to employers. Workplace accommodations are often simple and easy to implement, and yet so many of us struggle due to red tape; unnecessary requests for medical documentation, disclosure of our disability and limitations to people who have no business knowing, and an often misguided belief that an accommodation makes things "unfair" simply because we're trying to level the playing field.

Within the federal government, switching agencies is advertised as a fairly seamless process. Everything follows you: sick and annual leave balances, health insurance, and your position on the General Schedule pay scale. However, any documentation pertaining to reasonable accommodations does not, which means switching jobs comes with the exhausting task of starting from scratch.

We know what we need to be successful. The mental health of employees everywhere would be much improved if employers learned to say "yes" instead of "prove it."

So, what do these two experiences have in common? They both demonstrate the unfortunate reality that disabled people are often left behind, fighting for our survival in myriad ways. As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, we must remember that the struggles faced by disabled people are directly linked to mental health.

To truly combat mental health stigma, we must first acknowledge the lived experiences of disabled people. It is essential to recognize that our battles are fought not only in the classrooms and workplaces but also in the broader social structures that often marginalize and dismiss our needs.

How AI Can Make Disabled People Stronger Advocates

Recently, a neighbor in my apartment complex became increasingly irate anytime Canine Companions® Pico and I would pass her door. She claimed his incidental shedding as we walked past was done intentionally, and she didn't appreciate his ruining her welcome mat, which she had placed in a public hallway. Her disdain became so pervasive she was unwilling to engage in civil discourse.

When I raised my concerns with the property manager, I was met with the suggestion that I relocate if we couldn't find a "peaceful solution." It was a frustrating and exhausting experience.

I went into advocacy mode. I knew the laws. I knew I could address the situation from the perspective of the ADA, housing laws, and even state fire codes. But I just didn't have the energy. I thought briefly about dropping the issue completely, but I knew that would be to my detriment as the situation was ongoing.

And then it came to me: AI is my friend.

I turned to AI to craft a letter to my leasing office, documenting our meeting, their response, and the concerns I still had. I worked with the AI in much the same way I would engage with a friend or colleague at first. Imagine explaining what happened to them over text. I didn't think about it too much. I simply documented what happened as best I could without being overly concerned with whether I was doing it "right."

As I progressed, I wanted something with a bit more force, something harder for management to dismiss. So I tweaked my approach. I asked the AI to cite relevant local laws that might strengthen my position. Almost instantly, I was presented with research pertaining to building safety, means of egress, and fire codes, as well as a bit of legal language.

No system is perfect, and I still did my due diligence in verifying the accuracy; nothing will ever replace the human element and the lived experiences that shape advocacy work. But I had a very strong foundation in record time. The hours and aggravation saved, the research placed right in front of me in the blink of an eye? I couldn't help but think of the old Mastercard commercial.

Comcast Internet: $50 a month

Subscription to ChatGPT-4: $20 a month

Energy saved as AI helps you advocate? Priceless.

AI is the ultimate life hack, and I can't wait to see what's next. This technology is here, and used wisely, can be the ultimate energy saver. Yes, it's only as good as its inputs and the questions we ask, but that is the very nature of the human brain too. When we ask better questions, we get better answers. By leveraging these technologies, disabled people can continue to do the advocacy that fuels us without feeling burnt out by the nitty-gritty. For those just starting on their advocacy journey, the playing field is instantly leveled. The question isn't "Should we be using this technology?" Rather, the focus should be on how.

The Importance of Disability Representation in Fashion

Three models wearing adaptive SKIMS clothing

"Taylor Lindsay-Noel says her “jaw dropped” after seeing the clip, which has been making its rounds on social media this week. “Disabled people are here to stay, whether you want them to be here or not,” she said in a TikTok directed to [Candace] Owens. “And we deserve to be seen in all forms of media, including lingerie and shapewear.”
—Natalie Michie, FASHION Magazine

In the wake of recent comments from political commentator Candace Owens deriding SKIMS for their recent ad campaign promoting adaptive clothing, I became instantly frustrated and annoyed before quickly turning my mind to curiosity. Whenever someone attacks diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, one of my primary questions becomes, why?

Owens openly and proudly detesting these efforts as “ridiculous” is an indicator of just how far we have to go. People are fearful either of what they don’t understand, or what threatens them. To view DEI efforts as tiresome, patronizing, and being taken too far, as Owens does, is a tacit admission of privilege. The very idea that disability is something to be prioritized, placed front and center with pride and joy, to be celebrated and appreciated, must make someone as narrow-minded as Candace Owens fearful.

Ableism is not new. The disabled community confronts it in our daily lives whether it’s an inaccessible environment, questioning our capabilities in the workplace, or general derisive comments. What has increased in recent years is the brazenness by those in positions of power who publicly mock our right to exist as we are and not be ashamed for it. Candace Owens is a symptom of systemic ableism, she is not the cause.

Additionally, we have brands like Levi Strauss & Co., who late last week announced a partnership with Lalaland.ai, a digital fashion studio to bring AI-generated models to their modeling campaigns in an effort to increase diversity. While Amy Gershkoff Bolles, Ph.D. Bolles, global head of digital and emerging technology strategy at Levi Strauss & Co.noted that AI would ‘likely’ never fully replace human models, the caveat alone is concerning. AI-generated imagery aimed at the disability population certainly has the potential to increase revenue, but doing so artificially while claiming to champion DEI as a “top priority” is disingenuous. I’m reminded of the 2022 campaign by Pottery Barn last summer that proudly introduced its Accessible Home furniture line without employing any disabled models.

Despite what Candace Owens, or the marketing team at Levi Strauss & Co. has to say, disabled people aren’t going anywhere. As 20% of the global population, we deserve to see ourselves everywhere, and compensated accordingly. If that creates discomfort for you, interrogate why.

I’m thankful to the many disability advocates who continue to call out the harmful impact of ableism.

Carson Briére apologizes for damaging wheelchair after 'disturbing video' surfaces

Mercyhurst Lakers center Carson Briére just went viral for all the wrong reasons. (AP Photo)

“It might seem like nothing more than immature, drunken behaviour, but what Briere and his friends did is a frightening example of complete disregard for the humanity of disabled people,” Emily Ladau told Yahoo Sports Canada. “As a wheelchair user, even when I'm not physically sitting in it, I consider my chair an extension of my body. Damaging my wheelchair means you're disrespecting me and taking away my freedom of movement. The issue here isn't just damaged property or bad choices; it's that ableism, privilege, and entitlement are on full display.”
-Ian Kennedy, Yahoo Sports

This story about Carson Briére, student athlete at Mercyhurst University and son of Philadelphia Flyers interim GM Daniel Briére, is beyond disturbing. Not only is the ableism and entitlement on full display, so is the complete disregard for autonomy. Wheelchairs are expensive medical equipment costing thousands of dollars and can take upward of a year to obtain depending on fitting, measurements, insurance denials, etc.

I've watched this video several times in disbelief. I was shaking with fear not only for the user whose wheelchair was so callously disrespected, but also with the stark reminder that this could have happened to me. This is a nightmare for every wheelchair user who has been forced to navigate inaccessible environments.

Emily is right. Our medical equipment be it a wheelchair, a cane, a scooter, or a service dog like Canine Companions® Pico are extensions of us and our body. Through that lens, this is beyond the destruction of property. This is assault. Briére's actions have caused a loss of bodily autonomy that may take months to regain along with the financial and emotional impact.

The laws have not caught up yet, however.

This experience highlights so many injustices; inaccessibility, ableism, privilege, entitlement and a lack of empathy and understanding around disability.

#disabilityawareness #disabilityrights #disability #medicalequipment #sports #hockey #flyers

Thank You, USPTO

The USPTO Headquarters in Alexandria, VA

Today is my last day with the USPTO.

After nearly a decade, it’s hard to fathom leaving a place that has come to feel like home. The dedication and collaborative spirit was evident from the moment I arrived. As I grew my career I am thankful for the triumphs, the challenges, and mostly for being surrounded by so many talented people who worked tirelessly and were dedicated to our mission of promoting American innovation.

A special thank you to the folks in the Office of Communication.

- Agency Press Secretary Paul Fucito whose mentorship helped pave the way for my longterm success. Thank you for your wisdom, humor, and ability to always put things into their proper perspective. 
-Thank you Matthew Palumbo, Philippa Olsen, Eric Atkisson, Laura Larrimore, and Jeff Isaacs for your friendship and making work fun no matter what we faced.

This is definitely bittersweet. I'm excited about my next move, but I will greatly miss working with each of you. I will look back on this time with extreme gratitude.

As I was watching Last Week Tonight's return to HBO Max following a three month hiatus, I was amused by John Oliver's playful take on the USPTO. I can attest having seen things from myriad perspectives that the approval process for both patents and trademarks is complex and nuanced, and I am proud to have played a part in protecting and promoting the value of intellectual property during my tenure at such a wonderful agency.

And now, This:

Junk Fees Hit Disabled People Too

The disability community is heavily impacted by the Crip Tax, whether it’s in the form of so-called junk fees or simply a higher cost of living. The toll is physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially exhausting simply fighting for our right to exist.

"President Biden dedicated quite a bit of airtime in his State of the Union address to the Junk Fees Prevention Act, a push to limit hidden fees and surcharges in a number of industries. The proposed legislation would curtail companies from overcharging on things like extra resort fees at hotels, service fees at concerts and sporting events, and added costs charged by airlines so that family members can sit together."
Deepa Shivaram, Emily Olson–NPR

President Biden talked extensively about the Junk Fee Prevention Act in his State of the Union Address. While the White House cited research from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau highlighting the racial disparities of added fees, the disability community is also adversely affected. We routinely pay the colloquial “Crip Tax” simply to level the playing field.

Consider the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation that found airlines mishandled 941 wheelchairs or scooters in November of 2022; or roughly 1.5% of mobility equipment. While that number may seem small to non-disabled people, if those were your legs, you’d be more cautious.

Uber settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice last year over the illegal practice of wait time fees— disproportionately affecting disabled passengers.

Our hotel rooms often come with increased costs, too. The ADA prohibits charging more for accessible rooms, yet hotels and travel sites try to get away with it anyway hoping uninformed travelers will simply not know the law or be too exhausted to contest the rate hike. I recently lost hours on the phone with American Express resolving excess fees associated with booking an accessible room through their travel portal at Virgin Hotels.

The Biden administration talked about excessive ticketing fees for concerts. Here again, the disability community faces added expenses. We often pay more for our seats because venues do little to verify that the limited quantity of accessible seating goes to disabled patrons rather than scalpers charging a premium. I’m working with local venues in Washington D.C. including Capital One Arena to help address this challenge.

These are just the simple things. Pricer items like healthcare, transportation, and medical equipment are essential, which is why I was glad to see the administration tout a proposed rule change simplifying reporting requirements for the more than 7 million disabled people who receive monthly Supplemental Social Security Administration benefits.

The disability community is heavily impacted by the Crip Tax, whether it’s in the form of so-called junk fees or simply a higher cost of living. The toll is physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially exhausting simply fighting for our right to exist.

Senator John Fetterman And Reasonable Accommodations In The Workplace

Superfluous documentation leads to a multitude of challenges; unnecessary disclosure, lack of privacy, wasted time, and expending of energy that could be better spent performing the job rather than fighting to prove ourselves as both disabled and worthy of employment simultaneously. 

“I do think that John Fetterman—his example personally, and the example the Senate is setting—will be really helpful to a lot of people,” says Maria Town, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities. “It’s going to take many, many people, both people with disabilities and non-disabled people, actually saying, ‘Okay, we can make this happen in our workplace, in our church, in our community centers.'”
Mini Racker, Time Inc.

When Senator Fetterman was elected last fall, it was a victory not only for the residents of Pennsylvania, but for the disability community as well. Voters saw John Fetterman for the qualified candidate he was; dismissing ableist attitudes that called his fitness to serve into question simply because he required reasonable accommodations to do his job. Like Senator Duckworth, he is quickly becoming the advocate so many of us are thankful for—and a daily reminder of why representation is so crucial.

The Senate is moving quickly to adapt to the needs of its newest disabled freshman Senator, which is laudable, especially for an institution not well-known for its expediency. Captioning screens are being installed, accommodations are being made for his use of a wireless tablet, and the Sergeant at Arms is working closely with Senator Fetterman to ensure he has what he needs to succeed in the workplace.
 
However, since most of us are not members of Congress, the battle for workplace accommodations can often be more taxing and challenging. Accepting a new role becomes far more than finding the right position, but also the right employer willing to provide accommodations in an easy and straightforward way. Ideally, a conversation around our needs would be simple, but it’s often not. Employers frequently require those seeking accommodations jump through various hoops that often demoralize and ultimately dissuade our use of accommodations in the first place.

Many employers require not just proof of a disability, but a doctor’s blessing that the accommodation is warranted despite the EEOC clearly articulating that such things are not required if a disability is obvious or established. Superfluous documentation leads to a multitude of challenges; unnecessary disclosure, lack of privacy, wasted time, and expending of energy that could be better spent performing the job rather than fighting to prove ourselves as both disabled and worthy of employment simultaneously.

Complicating matters, most employers will not grant accommodations as a condition of employment, thereby leaving perspective hires in a state of limbo and considerable risk when deciding whether or not to join an organization. Even our nation’s largest employer—the federal government—begins the interactive process for reasonable accommodations only after an employee has onboarded.

Thank you to Senator Fetterman and the countless advocates working to normalize workplace accommodations.

Representation matters.