IT HAPPENS
On occassion, I visit with individuals with disabilities who have been denied the right to make choices about their own living arrangements, employment, education, or partner. The individuals are usually adults who live with their parents. Throughout their youth co-dependency was fostered rather than the teaching of independence and self-reliance. They strive for independence but encounter resistance from family members.
One individual's family owned several businesses in the area. Businesses that could have very easily employed a person with a disability. But when approached about a job for their family member, the following comment was made, "Oh, poor little Johnny! He's so crippled he can't do anything." I didn't have the same perception of Johnny. I knew Johnny had the capabilty to do many things. With some minor adjustments to the work area, Johnny could have very easily run a cash register at the family's business. However, the family saw Johnny only as a burden.
Another individual with the capabilty to live independently, continues to run into resistance from family members. The parents refuse to consider the possibilty of their adult child living independently. Again, the family doesn't believe the individual can do for themself. The individual believes the family's actions are emotionally abusive. The individual has expressed a significant resentment towards the family.
Another individual lived in a co-dependent relationship until the parents died. When this occurred, the individual moved into a nursing home. The individual is just now learning independent living skills. The nursing home is now viewed as just one of many living options.
Disability is a natural part of the human experience and is present in many families. Independence and the right to make one's own choices is encouraged by many families. In other families co-dependency is fostered. These same things also happen in families that don't experience disability.
People with disabilites have the right to make their own choices. They have the right to be valued and accepted for who they are.
They have the right to try new experiences. They have the right to learn from their experiences. They have the right to succeed and to fail.
Families where co-dependency is prevalent are providing a disservice to persons with disabilities. Conflict tends to be the norm. The outcome is resentment, dysfunction, and a loss of human dignity. OIL can assist families in understanding disability issues and an independent living philosophy. Mike Ward
EEOC NEWS FOR JOBHUNTERS
"Would you need a reasonable accommodation to type 60 words per minute?"
"Can you type 60 words a minute, with or without a reasonable accommodation?"
Do you see the fine line of difference between the two questions above? The EEOC's sets forth the Commission's position on questions that are deemed to elicit disability-related responses.
The first question, because it is deemed to be disability-related, is unallowable. An affirmative response would, by its very nature, indicate that the applicant had a disability.
The second question (when asked of all applicants) is not a disability-related question and, therefore, is permitted. A simple
"Yes" or "No" response would not reveal the presence of a disability.
However, if the applicant then voluntarily discloses information about his or her disability, it remains impermissible for the employer to pursue the disability further with follow-up questions at the pre-offer stage, such as, "How debilitating is your (disability)?", "Does it limit your ability to work?", or "Do you expect your condition to get worse?"
Obviously, persons with certain disabilities must, at some point, request a reasonable accommodation to take certain tests or perform certain functions. The discussion should relate strictly to the particular job function, and not become over generalized by the employer. The focus should be on how to create an ability to do a task, not on the disability.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
If you are a person who is deaf or hearing-impaired, the Drivers Exam Office will now place the words: Deaf or Hearing Impaired, to appear on the front of your drivers license. You will be charged a fee according to when your license expires. If you are interested, you will need to go first to the Drivers Exam Office and then to the tag office.
A.A.R.P.
The Area Chapter of the American Association or Retired Persons has formed an Advisory Council, they will be calling on local Churches to see what resources they have to help the elderly in this area. The Advisory Council will hold a meeting Friday, January 31, at 1 pm., at the McAlester Library. Area Council members are as follow: Doris Johnson, Longtown, Area Director, Bill Rayburn, Bill Bristow, Gerra Herzer, for retired teachers, Jenny Rock from the McAlester Counselling Center, and Judy Chellburg for the Oklahomans for Independent Living. For more information on the McAlester Area A.A.R.P., call Judy Chellburg.
WIDOW/WIDOWERS SUPPORT GROUP
An interest has been expressed in forming a support group for widow/widowers. If you would be interested in attending , please call me, Leanna Amos, and let me know.
MAKE 1997 A YEAR TO BE REMEMBERED!!!!
Volunteering your time for service to others will make a lasting impression! The Faith in Action Volunteer Program will help make the year memorable. Call Susie for more information.
SURFING THE WWW
If you surf the Worl Wide Web, then stop by OIL's Home Page located at www.icok.net/~johnw/OIL, or e-mail us at johnw@icok.net.
TRANSPORTATION
Did you know that 2,827 passengers rode the bus for the year of 1996? Did you know the OIL bus traveled 37,671 passenger miles in the year 1996? The OIL bus has traveled many miles within the Pittsburg County area. The Transportation Program has provided transportation to those needing to go to the Doctor, D.H.S., Employment Service, Health Department, D.R.S., the support groups held at OIL, and recreational activities. This information indicates how many consumers are without any means of transportation within the Pittsburg County area.
Are you a person with a disability or elderly needing transportation? If so, call OIL 918-426-6220 (V/TDD) or 1-800-568-6821 (V/TDD), and ask for Kenetha, Gina or Susie. Prior day notification is required.
OIL OFFERS TRAINING
OIL offers the Laubach reading course and Word Processing training. Anyone desiring to learn either one of these, needs to contact Terry. If you need another type of training, discuss it with OIL and we will see what we can do.
OIL SOCIAL
The OIL Social will be held on Friday, February 14, at 6: p.m. We will meet at the Oriental Chinese Restaurant, 319 E. Wyandotte, in McAlester. You can order from the menu at regular prices and get a free drink or you can order the buffet for $4.85 which includes your drink and tax. For more information or transportation contact Leanna Amos.
LIED SUPPORT GROUP
The Lifelong Individualized Eating Decisions (LIED) Support Group will meet on Tuesday, February 18, in the OIL multi-purpose room. Everyone should try to think of one topic on which to have a group discussion. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
The Colonial Lodge Nursing Home facilitate's an Alzheimer's Support Group once a month. The support group has gotten so big, that they have changed location of the meeting to the J. I. Stipe Recreational Center. The group meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1: p.m. They will meet on February 19th. For more information, contact the Colonial Lodge 423-6011, or OIL.
FREE SPIRITS SWIM TEAM
The Free Spirits Swim Team will have swim practice on Saturday, February 1, at 9: a.m. The team will meet at Days Inn. You should wear your swimsuit and bring a towel! For more info. call Susie.
DD SUPPORT GROUP
The Developmental Disabilities Support Group will have a Valentine Breakfast at Denny's on South 69 highway on Friday, February 14. The group will leave the OIL office at 8:30 a.m. and return by 10: a.m. You will need money for your breakfast and drinks. For more info. call Susie.
T-SHIRTS SPECIAL OLYMPIC'S T-SHIRTS!!
They are still on sale for $14.00, but time is running out!!! For more information call Susie.
COUPLES SPRT. GRP.
The Couples Support Group (single or married) will meet February 13, at 5:30pm., at Western Sizzlin to celebrate Valentine's Day. For more information contact Billy Jean Santine or Gina Lewis.
ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER
The A.D.D. Support Group will meet Thursday, February 20th, at OIL. The meeting will begin at 4 pm. Kathy the OIL facilitator is presently looking for a speaker for the meeting. Be looking for your flyers!
LUPUS SPRT. GRP.
The Lupus Support Group will meet on Thursday, February 20, at OIL. Starting time 7pm. This months meeting will be February 20. Mark your calendars and don't forget!!
BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP
The Brain Injury Support Group will meet on Tuesday, February 25, at 6: p.m. We will be viewing a video about "Stress" on the individual with a brain injury. For transportation to the meeting call the prior day.
T-Shirts
The McAlester Brain Injury Support Group is selling T-Shirts to assist the Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma keep its doors open. The T-Shirts are $10 and have a skull on the front with "Hey Bonehead, Wear a Helmet". The logo is to advocate in the prevention of brain injury. If you would like to assist in buying or selling shirts contact Leanna Amos at OIL.
MCDSG
The Men's Cross- Disability Support Group will meet Thursday, February 6th, at 6: p.m. The group will meet at Denny's Restaurant on 69 Bypass. You should bring enough money for your food, drink, and tip. For transportation call the prior day.
JOB SUPPORT GROUP
The Job readiness class will meet at OIL on Wednesday, February 19, at 4: p.m. The class will cover topics such as interview techniques, appropriate dress, resumes, job applications, the ADA, job search, and job retention. Call Karen for more information.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
A Grief Support Group has been formed and is meeting every Thursday, 6:30 to 8 pm, at 319 S. 6th Street in McAlester. For more information call 423-1998 or 1-800-573-1998.
EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS
Emotions Anonymous is a Twelve Step program for people whose emotions are causing difficulties in their lives. If your emotions, such as: depression, anxiety, fear, loneliness, anger, compulsions, obsessions, are causing problems in your life, perhaps Emotions Anonymous can help.
There are no dues or fees for Emotions Anonymous membership. The primary purpose of Emotions Anonymous is to assist members in how to stay well emotionally and how to help others to become emotionally well. There will be a meeting held on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 5pm in the OIL multi-purpose room. The group will meet each Thursday. For more informaiton, call Debra Hampton at 546-2441, or 421-2201; or Christy Johnson at 426-6220.
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Last Up-Dated by John Wilkinson 02-04-1997 @ 2:51pm