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Washington, D.C., Nov. 6 – Below you will find two up-to-the-minute resources to help you this election:

1. Straight Q&A’s with candidates on disability issues organized by state. If you do not see a candidate from a senate or gubernatorial race, or local candidates in New York City and Los Angeles, it is because the candidate chose not to answer the questionnaire. RespectAbility is nonpartisan and all candidates were given an equal chance to make voters aware of their views on disability issues.
2. Apps and information on where to vote, how to vote and who to contact if there is an issue. As voters go to the polls, it is vital to know that voters with disabilities have every right to vote. If you have a problem voting due to lack of access for disability, contact 866-OUR-VOTE, or other resources listed below, immediately. Please let us know as well by emailing LaurenA@RespectAbility.org. View all of this information on one place on our blog: Disability Voter Resource Guide

Now please go vote! The disability community is 56 million citizens strong. Show your power at the ballot box! [continue reading…]

Washington, D.C., Nov. 5 – As voters head to the polls, many are concerned about various access issues from physical accessibility to voter ID laws. This is a federal election year; additionally, many state legislative seats, state executive offices, local offices and ballot amendments will be voted on. We’ve compiled resources provided by general Election Day voter rights organizations as well as those provided by various disability groups.

See below for apps and information on where to vote, how to vote and who to contact in case there is an issue. Voters with disabilities have every right to vote. If you have a problem voting due to lack of access for disability, contact 866-OUR-VOTE to talk to lawyers on hand to answer Election Day questions and concerns about voting procedures, or other resources listed below, immediately. Please let us know as well by emailing LaurenA@RespectAbility.org. Did we miss an important resource? Share with us and we’ll update this guide. [continue reading…]

Washington D.C., Oct. 19 – Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared October as National Disability Employment Month (NDEM) in New York.

“New York affirms its commitment to promoting diversity in the workplace by highlighting the rich talent and abilities that exist…and promoting inclusive communities that welcome individuals with all types of disabilities,” writes Cuomo. “New York’s government agencies that serve individuals with development and/or intellectual…mental health disabilities have affirmed the state’s commitment to community living by developing implementation plans which include collaboration among many partners that will foster…the creation of more employment options.”

This commitment from the governor comes at a time when jobs for people with disabilities has been increasing in New York state. Last year, 5,081 New Yorkers with disabilities gained jobs. [continue reading…]

Washington D.C., Oct. 4 – Gov. Michael Parson has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Missouri.

“Workplaces welcoming of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of the efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy,” Parson wrote. Gov. Parson is dedicating October “to educate” employers and the public on “disability employment issues” and to “celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.”

While only 669 Missourians with disabilities got new jobs last year, Gov. Parson is committing his state to improving outcomes in the future. [continue reading…]

Atlanta, GA. Oct. 4 – Gov. Nathan Deal has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Georgia. In a signed proclamation, the Governor wrote, “The full inclusion and successful employment of individuals with disabilities are essential to building a robust and competitive workforce.”

Gov. Deal’s proclamation goes on to state, “Georgia is committed to expanding employment opportunities for citizens with disabilities.”

This proclamation follows an outstanding year of job growth among people with disabilities living in the Peach State. Last year, 28,642 people with disabilities entered Georgia’s workforce. [continue reading…]

Co-Author of Americans with Disabilities Act Steve Bartlett Assumes Chair, Linda Burger is New Treasurer; Richard G. Phillips Jr. Joins Board

Washington, DC, Oct. 2, 2018 – RespectAbility, one of the nation’s leading disability organizations, is proud to announce that former U.S. Representative and Dallas Mayor Steve Bartlett will serve as chair of the organization’s Board of Directors, and that Linda Burger, MSSW, the CEO of Jewish Family Service in Houston, is the organization’s new Treasurer. Bartlett takes the reins from outgoing chairman Calvin Harris. Business and social change leader Richard G. Phillips Jr. joined its board of directors.

Hon. Steve Bartlett Assumes Chair

Former U.S. Representative and Mayor of Dallas Steve Bartlett is the new chair of the RespectAbility Board of Directors.

Among 18 major pieces of legislation he sponsored in Congress that became law, Bartlett was a principal Republican author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark measure that greatly expanded the rights of individuals with disabilities and improved their access to public buildings, communities and jobs.

Bartlett previously served at RespectAbility’s Vice Chair. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor with Treliant Risk Advisors. He has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, business strategy, corporate governance, ethics and compliance as well as public policy at the highest levels of the private sector and government.

A former president and CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable in Washington, D.C., Bartlett’s advice is sought on a range of policy areas. He brings RespectAbility broad contacts on both sides of the political aisle and deep insights in business and job creation.

Said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, RespectAbility’s president, “We are thrilled that Steve Bartlett will now take us to an even higher level as we fight stigmas and advance opportunities for people with disabilities. His deep expertise, passion, contacts and innovative problem-solving skills will enable us to significantly expand our impact. We are also deeply grateful for Calvin Harris’ leadership as chair. Under his tenure our National Leadership Program, where Harris is a favorite trainer, grew deeply in its impact and size. We are delighted he will remain on our board and join our co-founder Donn Weinberg as a Chair Emeritus.” [continue reading…]

On Eve of National Disability Employment Month:

Only 39 Percent of Lone Star State’s People with Disabilities Can Find Jobs, Says Ex-Dallas Congressman Steve Bartlett on Assuming Board Chair of RespectAbility

Dallas, Texas, Oct. 2 – As National Disability Employment Month begins, RespectAbility, one of the nation’s leading disability organizations, has calculated that only 39 percent of Texans with disabilities are gainfully employed – ranking the Lone Star State number 22 in the nation in disability employment.

“Even though fewer than four in 10 Texans with disabilities can find jobs, we are making progress,” said incoming RespectAbility board of directors chair and former Dallas Mayor and U.S. Representative Steve Bartlett.

Bartlett, who was a principal GOP sponsor of the Americans With Disabilities Act while serving in Congress, was elected to chair the RespectAbility Board just as the organization began its annual commemoration of National Disability Employment Month. Bartlett takes the reins from outgoing chairman Calvin Harris.

He will be joined by fellow Texan Linda Burger, MSSW, the CEO of Jewish Family Service in Houston, who is assuming the office of Treasurer of the organization. [continue reading…]

On Eve of National Disability Employment Month:

Only 35 Percent of State’s People with Disabilities Can Find Jobs, Says PA Business Leader and Social Activist Richard G. Phillips on Joining Board

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Oct. 2 – As National Disability Employment Month begins, RespectAbility, one of the nation’s leading disability organizations, has calculated that only 35.1 percent of Pennsylvanians with disabilities are gainfully employed – ranking the Keystone State number 31 in the nation in disability employment.

“Even though only one-third of Pennsylvanians with disabilities are able to find jobs, that’s still higher than ever before,” said incoming RespectAbility Board of Directors member Richard G. Phillips, Jr.

Philips, a Pennsylvania business leader and change agent, was elected to the RespectAbility Board just as the organization began its annual commemoration of National Disability Employment Month. [continue reading…]

Read the webinar transcript
Download the accessible PowerPoint
Watch the webinar on YouTube with live embedded captions

This webinar featured RespectAbility Board Member Linda Burger, MSSW and her colleague, Laurie Morgan Silver, LCSW. Burger is a staunch leader in Houston’s Jewish community, where she is the CEO of Jewish Family Service Houston (JFSH). Silver, a psychotherapist, serves as a consultant with JFSH, where she supports suicide prevention and aftercare and other mental health programs.

Jewish Family Service Houston has developed a number of mental health initiatives to address suicide prevention and aftercare in its community. During this webinar, our leaders reviewed the statistical context as well as the purpose and status of the Mental Health Let’s Talk About It programs and services.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and/or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (En Español: 1-888-628-9454; Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting 741741.

[continue reading…]