Including Seniors and Members with Acquired Disabilities

February 29, 2012

www.serviceandinclusion.org

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Introduction

Ms. Robin Fisher•Program Manager for the Delaware Foster Grandparent Program•Works on the national and local level to promote Senior Corps programs and disability inclusion•Working on development of Delaware’s Inclusion Team

Webinar Objectives

1. Define a “Person with a Disability”2. Disclosure in terms of people with

acquired disabilities3. Potential barriers to addressing

acquired disabilities, faced by-a. Programs and sitesb. Members and volunteers

4. Helpful solutions

Who is a Person with a Disability?

1. A volunteer who uses non-prescription reading glasses.

2. An applicant for service who recently broke their leg.

3.A member who, because of a stroke, needs a little more time to speak.

“Disability” as Defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act &

the Americans with Disabilities Act• A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits

one or more major life activities

• A history or record of such an impairment

• Being regarded as having such an impairment, even when no limitations exist

• Someone who has an association with someone with a disability

“Substantially limits”

…unable to perform, or significantly limited in the ability to perform, an activity as compared with an average person. Factors to be considered are:

1. Its nature and severity2. How long it will last or is expected to last, and3. Its permanent or long-term impact, or expected

impact

What is an example of a Major Life Activity?

“Major Life Activity” is Anything an Average Person Can Do with Little or No Difficulty

Major life activities include, but are not limited to: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, sitting, standing, lifting, reaching, sleeping and mental/emotional processes such as thinking, concentrating and interacting with others.

Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) additions: operation of major bodily functions such as the immune system, normal cell growth and the endocrine system.

http://www.jan.wvu.edu/bulletins/adaaa1.htm

“Major Life Activity” is Anything an Average Person Can Do with Little or No Difficulty

Of or related to a disease, condition, or characteristic that develops after birth; not inherited.

-Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. 2009.

Defining Person with an Acquired Disability

Part 1 of the definition of a person with a disability:

•A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities

Why not simply disclose?

• Culture of program environment– “Gossipy”– Excessively competitive– Racially insensitive

• Fear of potential reactions• Refusal by others to share equipment• Not relevant• Stigma associated with disability• Need to disclose to other people outside of

service program first

Why not simply disclose?

How Willing to Self-Disclose Are You?

Rate on a scale of 1 – 5 the following questions:

1. What are your hobbies?

5 = would definitely self-disclose4 = would probably self-disclose3 = don’t know2 = would probably not self-disclose1 = would definitely not self-disclose

How Willing to Self-Disclose Are You?

Rate on a scale of 1 – 5 the following questions:

1. What are your hobbies?

2. What is your worst fear?

5 = would definitely self-disclose4 = would probably self-disclose3 = don’t know2 = would probably not self-disclose1 = would definitely not self-disclose

How Willing to Self-Disclose Are You?

Rate on a scale of 1 – 5 the following questions:

1. What are your hobbies?

2. What is your worst fear?

3. What aspects of your personality do you dislike?

5 = would definitely self-disclose4 = would probably self-disclose3 = don’t know2 = would probably not self-disclose1 = would definitely not self-disclose

How Willing to Self-Disclose Are You?

Rate on a scale of 1 – 5 the following questions:

1. What are your hobbies?

2. What is your worst fear?

3. What aspects of your personality do you dislike?

4. What is your level of income?

5 = would definitely self-disclose4 = would probably self-disclose3 = don’t know2 = would probably not self-disclose1 = would definitely not self-disclose

Known to Self Unknown to Self

Known to OthersOpen Pane

Known to self and others

Blind PaneBlind to self, seen by

others

Unknown to OthersHidden Pane

Open to self, hidden from others

Unknown PaneUnknown to self and

others

Johari Window

The Johari window is a way of showing how much information you and others know about yourself.

Known to Self Unknown to Self

Known to OthersDISCLOSURE-

May or may not ask for/ need an accommodation

NON-DISCLOSURE-May not consider

themselves a PWD

Unknown to OthersNON-DISCLOSURE-

May not be aware of ADA protection and/or RA

NON-DISCLOSURE-Something yet to be

learned about ourselves

Window Perspective of Member/Volunteer

What does the member know about himself/herself and what are they willing to disclose?

Known to Self Unknown to Self

Known to OthersDISCLOSURE-

May or may not ask for/ need an accommodation

NON-DISCLOSURE-May not consider

themselves a PWD

Unknown to OthersNON-DISCLOSURE-

May not be aware of ADA protection and/or RA

NON-DISCLOSURE-Something yet to be

learned about ourselves

Window Perspective of Member/Volunteer

What does the member know about himself/herself and what are they willing to disclose?

Known to Self Unknown to Self

Known to OthersDISCLOSURE-

May or may not ask for/ need an accommodation

NON-DISCLOSURE-May not consider

themselves a PWD

Unknown to OthersNON-DISCLOSURE-

May not be aware of ADA protection and/or RA

NON-DISCLOSURE-Something yet to be

learned about ourselves

Window Perspective of Member/Volunteer

What does the member know about himself/herself and what are they willing to disclose?

Known to Self Unknown to Self

Known to OthersDISCLOSURE-

May or may not ask for/ need an accommodation

NON-DISCLOSURE-May not consider

themselves a PWD

Unknown to OthersNON-DISCLOSURE-

May not be aware of ADA protection and/or RA

NON-DISCLOSURE-Something yet to be

learned about ourselves

Window Perspective of Member/Volunteer

What does the member know about himself/herself and what are they willing to disclose?

• Regardless of disclosure, making the availability of reasonable accommodations known

• Difficult to initiate conversation about an issue, performance or non-performance related

• The culture of the site may be inclusive, but there are no signs- inclusive statements, pictures of people with disabilities- to make someone comfortable to disclose

Perspective of Program/Site

Alice, a Foster Grandparent volunteer, is in her second year as a volunteer to youth at a local school.

•Some responsibilities include:– Tutoring students from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.– Reading with and reviewing students’ work

She has been consistently arriving after 8:45 a.m., however. Alice’s supervisor has been receiving complaints from teachers and students.

Case Study

Alice recently learned from her doctor that she has Age-Related Macular Degeneration. As a result, she is no longer able to drive.

•She has only stated that she is late because she is taking the bus•She also has expressed difficulty reading and reviewing students’ work

Alice has always been an asset. However, the supervisor is now having concerns about her ability to perform the functions of the position.

Case Study, cont.

1. Is this a person with a disability?

Feel free to ask any follow up/clarifying questions!

Revealing the (In)visible Barriers

Known to Self Unknown to Self

Known to Others1. Open Pane

Known to self and others

2. Blind PaneBlind to self, seen by

others

Unknown to Others3. Hidden Pane

Open to self, hidden from others

4. Unknown PaneUnknown to self and

others

2. Where would this person be on the Johari window?

3. What are some things you can do to make the environment more conducive to disclosure?

Feel free to ask any follow up/clarifying questions!

Revealing the (In)visible Barriers

4. Are there any accommodations you might suggest to the supervisor?

Feel free to ask any follow up/clarifying questions!

Revealing the (In)visible Barriers

• To enable the Foster Grandparent volunteers to remain physically and mentally active and to enhance self-esteem through participation in needed community service.

• To enable children less than 21 years of age with either exceptional or special needs to achieve improved education, physical, mental, emotional, and social development.

www.VolunteerDelaware.org

Inclusive Efforts with Foster Grandparents of Delaware

Personal Story- Edna Newsome State Office of Volunteerism, Foster

Grandparents of Delaware

www.VolunteerDelaware.org

Inclusive Efforts with Foster Grandparents of Delaware

Examine the inclusiveness of your program’s environment and culture•Do you have an inclusive statement? Do any materials mention acquired disabilities?•Are the inclusive images visible to members and volunteers?•Are members and volunteers aware of reasonable accommodations?

Opening the Window Panes

Encourage disclosure in your program•Ask individuals about their experience and satisfaction•Keep any disclosures confidential•Support and reinforce the discloser

Opening the Window Panes

Make sure expectations for individuals with acquired disabilities are the same as for any other member or volunteer•Reviewing essential and marginal functions of the position•Following up on effectiveness of reasonable accommodations

Opening the Window Panes

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN) site:http://askjan.org/• Understanding physical and mental disabilities associated with

an aging population: http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/practices/17884

• Inclusion Weekly and Responses on Seniors and Acquired Disabilities- 11/4/2010:

http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?page=iw#w_ad

• Foster Grandparents of Delaware: www.VolunteerDelaware.org• National Service Inclusion Project: www.ServiceandInclusion.org

Additional Available Resources

Questions?Chad Gobert,National Service Inclusion ProjectChad.Gobert@umb.edu Robin FisherFoster Grandparents of DelawareRobin.Fisher@state.de.us

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