Disability Stereotypes Aren't Cute Marketing Tools

This is not a big deal requiring massive internet outrage spirals, but I do want to make this point very clearly: Disability stigma and stereotypes aren't funny memes you get to use in marketing. OCD, for example, is a serious condition that can play a major role in the structure of the lives with people who have it. Stigma about OCD is not trivial. Your "detail oriented" nature is not OCD.

Which brings me to this:

Image Description: Two male Tufts students walk by a big elephant. The headline reads: Do you have Jumbo-sized OCD? Do you sweat the small stuff? Then there's an ad for production managers for Communications at Tufts, reading in part, "University Communications and Marketing is looking for production managers. If you are totally Type A and care about getting the details 100 percent right, this could be just the opportunity for you."

Source: Linked In post from a Tufts Communication manager, now removed.

I emailed the author. He wrote:

Thank you for your message. I sincerely apologize for this and the offense to folks who suffer with this or any other disability. The last thing I would want to do is to hurt anyone who already suffers from or knows someone with a disabling condition. In my hope to garner attention and excitement to this job posting, I didn’t think about how it sounded.  Upon internal and external feedback, I now understand how I sounded and regret offending or hurting anyone.  I have removed the post and will revise the description for the position. This lack of sensitivity is entirely a reflection on me and not a reflection on Tufts University, which has a well-earned reputation for respect toward people from all backgrounds.  Here is the Tufts non-discrimination and separate ADA policies, which includes the university’s support for recruiting and hiring people with disabilities:
http://oeo.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/Non-Discrimination-Policy-040115.pdfhttp://oeo.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/ADA-Policy-July-2014.pdf

Accommodations in Academia - Some positive models

As I wrote about the job discrimination ads last month for Al Jazeera America​, I kept thinking about the hashtag #ILookLikeAProfessor and Kelly J. Baker​'s work. My thesis is that the inadvertent part of this was based, at least in part, on people who had just never considered that a disabled person might be able to be a professor. So I put out a call for disabled professors who would be willing to speak to me about their accommodations and tried to write a positive piece about potential, even as I also pointed out the structural issues. I concluded:

"As long as our common image of the professor remains white, male, straight, well-off, and abled, people outside that circle will encounter both structural and direct discrimination. It’s an image that’s increasingly inaccurate. Disabled academics — like academics from so many other diverse communities and claiming so many types of intersecting identities — are here. They're working hard. And when they receive institutional support, they’re thriving. Let's work on making that the new normal."

With thanks to Stephanie Kerschbaum​ Joe Stramondo​ Heide Estes​ and Brian Kruse​ for their kind assistance, as well as the many other people who kindly contributed their experiences but who I didn't quote directly.

Resource Post: The Arc of Texas job advertisements

UPDATE: The Arc of Texas has changed their job requirements to remove "physical and mental requirements" entirely from the list. 

UPDATE 1/29/16 - Please see Kyle Piccola's comment from The Arc of Texas in the comment thread. Archived at the bottom of the thread for record-keeping purposes.

Original Post Below
----------------------------------------------------------------------

As of January 15, The Arc of Texas was hiring a CEO and State Advocacy Coordinator.

You can see their job ads here. I have put screenshots at the bottom as of 1/27/16 in case they change them. Update: I cut/pasted the full text of the ads for better accessibility as well.

Each job has a list of physical and mental requirements. I have put in a call to The Arc for comment and will be writing more when I get it.

CEO

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

• Seeing

• Hearing/Listening

• Clear speech

• Ability to move distances between offices and workspaces

• Driving

Advocacy Coordinator

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

• Seeing

• Hearing/Listening

• Clear speech

• Touching :dexterity hand and finger

• Ability to move distances between offices and workspaces

• Minor pushing and pulling

• Lifting up to 25 lbs.

• Carrying up to 25 lbs

• Driving

 Screenshots:

Cut and paste of the text for accessibility reasons below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Arc Of Texas Employment Opportunities

Chief Executive Officer

Organizational Unit: State Office

FSLA Classification:  Exempt

Reports To: The Arc of Texas Board of Directors

Job Summary: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the successful leadership and management of The Arc of Texas according to the guiding principles of the organization and the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors.  Specifically, the CEO will ensure that the organization’s fiscal, operations, fundraising, marketing, human resource, technology, and programmatic strategies are effectively implemented.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Work with the Board of Directors in developing and refining the vision and strategic plan for the organization.
2. Develop an operational plan incorporating goals and objectives that work toward the strategic direction of the organization. Ensure programs and services offered by the organization contribute to the organization's mission and reflect the priorities of the Board.
3. Formulate and execute comprehensive marketing, branding and development strategies that will ensure consistency throughout the organization and enhance revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporations.
4. Work with the Board and staff to prepare a comprehensive budget.  Oversee the financial status of the organization including developing long and short range financial plans, monitoring the budget and ensuring sound financial controls are in place; set financial priorities accurately.
5. Manage the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization; ensure the delivery of high quality services while managing for current and future growth.
6. Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration with staff throughout the organization; create and promote a positive, multicultural work environment that supports consistency throughout the organization.
7. Act as a spokesperson for the organization, represent The Arc of Texas at meetings and functions with representatives from agencies, the Legislature, and other organizations.
8. Review existing policies and procedures at least annually and recommend changes to the Board as needed.
9. Oversee research and development of funding sources, the development of fund raising plans and proposals.
10. Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with self-advocates, local chapters, community groups, funders, elected officials, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.

 Skills:

1. Lead, manage, and operate a multi-million dollar organization, preferably with volunteer membership and elected Board.
2. Delegate complex tasks to staff and supervise the timely and successful completion of those tasks.
3. Recruit, hire, evaluate, mentor and retain a high performance team, and terminate when necessary.
4. Represent a statewide advocacy organization in its mission, including knowledge of the legislative process and the issues.
5. Work with volunteers on the Board of Directors within the boundaries of the governance and management relationship, and respect those boundaries.
6. Work with stakeholders in the organization’s mission and plans, specifically including self-advocates and families, chapters, disability advocacy organizations and community groups.
7. Understand and operate a business as a manager, specifically including business planning, budgets, revenues and expenses, and prioritizing the use of revenues and resources.
8. Reflect nonprofit law and rules, including IRS rules for nonprofits.
9. Reflect business and charitable donation development, including fundraising methods and sources, and accountability to grant makers and donors under contracts or conditions in grants and donations.

Educational Requirements: 

 Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred. Five or more years of executive leadership experience in a for-profit, non-profit, or public sector organization.

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

• Seeing
• Hearing/Listening
• Clear speech
• Ability to move distances between offices and workspaces
• Driving

Salary:

• $125,000 - $140,000 depending on experience. 

Benefits:

• Health insurance coverage 100% paid for by employer

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to The Arc of texas Board of Directors at ceosearch@thearcoftexas.org by March 31st, 2016

State Advocacy Coordinator 

Job Title:    State Advocacy Coordinator    

Organizational Unit: State Office, Governmental Affairs Department

FSLA Classification:  Exempt

Reports To: Director of Government Affairs

Job Summary: The State Advocacy Coordinator provides support to, organizes and empowers Local Arc Chapters, Self-Advocate Chapters, families, allies and other stakeholders to facilitate their involvement in public policy advocacy at the local, state and federal levels and ensures timely and effective communication with Local Chapters and other stakeholders about policy issues.  

At the direction of the Director of Governmental Affairs and the Government Affairs Committee, the Coordinator represents The Arc of Texas on issues related to The Arc of Texas policy priorities, and assists with monitoring disability policy discussions of legislative committees, state agency boards, advisory committees and workgroups and represents The Arc of Texas on agency workgroups and stakeholder committees.

The Coordinator reports to the Director of Governmental Affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities

A. Provide support to, organize and empower Local Arc Chapters, Self-Advocate Chapters, families, allies and other stakeholders to facilitate their involvement in public policy advocacy at the local, state and federal levels. 

1. Develop and maintain effective working relationships and communication with Local Arc Chapters, Self-Advocate Chapters, families, allies and other stakeholders.
2. Develop and manage grassroots campaigns to advance our public policy priorities.
3. Recruit, train and provide support to facilitate effective participation in the disability rights movement from self-advocates and their families.
4. Organize “Capitol Days”, other visits to the State Capitol, State Agencies, or local/regional policy related activities.
5. Support volunteers to attend and have meaningful participation at the Texas Legislature, state agency boards, various state agency task forces, work groups and committees.

B. Act as a liaison between The Arc of Texas, the GA Committee, Local Chapters and other stakeholders about policy issues.

1. Conduct in-person trainings/meeting, webinars, phone calls, social media and targeted email marketing to advocates across Texas.
2. Facilitate communication between grassroots stakeholders, The Arc of Texas staff, GA Committee members and The Arc of Texas Board in a timely manner. 
3. Utilize the latest available developments in technology to communicate The Arc of Texas message to internal and external stakeholders (for example, “action alerts” and other campaigns).
4. Networks with allied organizations and coalitions to promote collaborative relationships on issues related to The Arc’s policy priorities. 
5. When necessary, provide testimony in support of the positions of The Arc of Texas at hearings and meetings.

Educational Requirements: 

Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Nonprofit management, Education, Human Services or a related field from a recognized college or university and at least three years of progressively responsible positions in disability advocacy.

Skills:

1. Ability to work independently and interactively, to handle multiple priorities and to be productive under stress.
2. Experience implementing direct action organizing campaigns.
3. Knowledge of programs, services, rights and benefits available to persons with disabilities.
4. Ability to effectively communicate with parents and advocates on behalf of their sons, daughters and others with intellectual developmental disabilities.
5. Ability to effectively communicate with self-advocates with intellectual disabilities to have a voice in the policies and laws that are made on their behalf.   
6. Knowledge of legislative and administrative processes impacting the development of public policy.
7. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
8. Networking, organizing and coalition-building skills.
9. Passionate about The Arc of Texas mission and the individuals we serve.

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

• Seeing
• Hearing/Listening
• Clear speech
• Touching :dexterity hand and finger
• Ability to move distances between offices and workspaces
• Minor pushing and pulling
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Carrying up to 25 lbs
• Driving

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Kyle Piccola at KPiccola@thearcoftexas.org by Friday, January 15 at Noon

------------------
UPDATE 1/29/16 - Please see Kyle Piccola's comment in the comment thread. Archived here for record-keeping purposes.

Getting Called Out Is a Good Thing

The Arc of Texas would like to offer an open and sincere thank you to you and to others who brought to our attention a job posting that was not inclusive to people with disabilities. As much as it hurts to be wrong, we know because of this experience that we will come out a stronger organization.

As advocates, we tirelessly work to right the wrongs in our world and hope to make our communities a better place. By default, it’s in our nature to land on the right side of history. That is why it was devastating to get called out for not being inclusive and promoting practices that excluded others. We have looked into how this happened, and have learned that the job requirements that were wrongfully included in our postings were left over from when we employed drivers for our household recycling program. The CEO job description that was recently approved by our Board of Directors did not include the exclusionary language as shown in the job posting.

Thankfully, being perfect isn’t a requirement to be an advocate, but owning your missteps and using them to promote progress is. That is why we have fixed the mistake and are working internally and with coalition partners to ensure it will never happen again.

It is our responsibility to hold each other to high standards and encourage nothing less than the best of everyone. The Arc of Texas’ mission is to promote, protect and advocate for the human rights and self-determination of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and we are committed to being the best we can be.

We look forward to working alongside other advocates in the disability community to address the barriers to independence, community participation and employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Texas.

Achieve with us,

The Arc of Texas

What Is The Good Life? - Scenes from a Dystopian Job Market

The lucky winner of this job will be in an excellent position to opine on the Good Life.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida invites applications for the position of lecturer to teach the Humanities Common Course, IUF 1000: What is the Good Life?, to begin August 16, 2016. As part of the UF Core Curriculum, IUF 1000 is a multi-disciplinary humanities course, taught in collaboration by the faculties of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of the Arts, and the College of Design, Construction, and Planning.

This is a full-time, renewable, nine-month, non-tenure accruing position. Duties include teaching two sections and up to six hundred students per semester while supervising up to ten graduate teaching assistants, and contributing to development of course content and assessment of course delivery. Minimum qualifications: experience teaching multi-disciplinary humanities core courses, and a Ph.D. in a humanities discipline in hand by the time of appointment. Preferred qualifications: experience teaching large lecture courses with comparable course content, and supervising graduate teaching assistants in such a course. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and include a full benefits package.

The Good Life does not have tenure.
The Good Life has a student-professor ratio of 600:1
The Good Life does come with benefits
All grading in The Good Life is done by graduate students who, upon completion of their PhD, will also be in an excellent position to opine on The Good Life (without tenure, with benefits).

Who comes up with this stuff?

Inclusion Pays Off in Vermont / MN Series On Disability and Work

The Star Tribune has a great  five-part series about disability and work, focused on Minnesota, but looking more broadly - Failing the Disabled.

Here's one I like, because it's a positive outcome.

With her zest and ambition, Wollum personifies the remarkable strategy that has made Vermont a leader in the civil rights movement for adults with disabilities. If she lived in Minnesota, Wollum might have been steered into a sheltered workshop or mobile cleaning crew, where thousands of disabled adults perform mundane tasks and have little or no contact with the broader community.
But here, in this state of hardscrabble hillside farms and country roads lined with sugar maples, sheltered workshops are a thing of the past. Disabled adults are expected to take their place each day alongside other working people. In the 16 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ordered states to end the segregation of people with disabilities, few states have carried the flag as boldly as Vermont.

This is achievable everywhere.

Instead, even in Minnesota, a state that prides itself on its commitment to disability justice, we get this:

Though both have Down syndrome, Erin, 26, and Suzanne, 23, have been on starkly different career paths.

Erin makes as little as $2.75 an hour at MRCI, a sheltered workshop operator.
Suzanne makes $10.10 as a breakfast hostess at the Hampton Inn.

While Erin and her cleaning crew are largely hidden from public view, Suzanne’s is the first face that many visitors see each morning in this southern Minnesota town.
Just how Erin and Suzanne wound up on such different trajectories is a case study in the fickle nature of job opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities.

Jobs have been the big quest for decades now. I'm glad Vermont is showing what's possible.