tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post804441543491297963..comments2024-03-18T03:28:36.581-04:00Comments on Shrink Rap: Back To The Salt MinesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-29346566444442841332008-05-25T05:21:00.000-04:002008-05-25T05:21:00.000-04:00As Rosemary above said, in the UK and Europe (and ...As Rosemary above said, in the UK and Europe (and lots of other places, I'm sure) we are used to different colour/size paper currency. I have difficulties distinguishing between notes when I go to the US! (ok, I wear glasses but am very far from blind). I think it's a shame that it had to be a court case that forces the Treasury into the position but surely making some changes to seemingly 'little' things can make a massive different in the lives of those who have disabilities (or are foreign!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-90931877444050712282008-05-24T10:11:00.000-04:002008-05-24T10:11:00.000-04:00I live in the UK and all our paper notes are a dif...I live in the UK and all our paper notes are a different size for each amount. Like Canada, they are embossed, raised ink, coloured (for fraud, but also help those with low sight). So it's easy to tell which notes are which. Coins are different sizes, shapes, widths with different embossing round the edge too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-46076392310173503492008-05-23T09:54:00.000-04:002008-05-23T09:54:00.000-04:00At the risk of being seen with both OCD and parano...At the risk of being seen with both OCD and paranoia...<BR/><BR/>I can understand some of this section. Imagine a voyeuristic window cleaner, a kleptomaniac bank teller, a school bus driver with a crack habit, a pyromaniac gas station attendant etc... well, against that we have such political advertisements as <A HREF="http://extras.denverpost.com/audio/predator.mp3" REL="nofollow">this one</A>, attempting to prevent implementation of a Colorado law saying that it's not right to refuse to provide rental accommodation, banking services, or access to public facilities to the transgendered.<BR/><BR/>Too much of that kind of thing gives you not so much a persecution complex, as a persecution simple (as it were).Zoe Brainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13712045376060102538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-70548621558656813972008-05-23T09:26:00.000-04:002008-05-23T09:26:00.000-04:00Not all "mental illnesses" are covered by ADA.Sect...Not all "mental illnesses" are covered by ADA.<BR/><BR/><I>Section 12211.<BR/><BR/>Under this chapter, the term "disability" shall not include<BR/><BR/> (1) transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders;<BR/><BR/> (2) compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or<BR/><BR/> (3) psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs.</I><BR/><BR/>Intersexed people appear to be covered, unless they transition - that would be considered "transsexualism" along with GID caused by neurology. GID not caused by neurology or a non-neurological IS condition would be under "gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments".<BR/><BR/>So those who require hormones, surgery etc, and "special accomodations" when in the gender twilight zone of transition under the Standards of Care, they're, as they say, SOOL.<BR/><BR/>That section was added by Senator Jesse Helms.Zoe Brainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13712045376060102538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-22564225263248990762008-05-22T12:28:00.000-04:002008-05-22T12:28:00.000-04:00In Canada we redesign our money regularly to preve...In Canada we redesign our money regularly to prevent counterfeiting. It’s always been coloured, which is helpful for people with low vision. It’s been embossed with raised lettering and dots for the blind for a while now, and I’ve never heard anyone complain about how pretty coloured bills and embossed numbers give blind people an advantage over sighted people. <BR/><BR/>Euro bills come in different sizes for different denominations for the same reason. <BR/><BR/>I don’t see it as special favours for anyone, but a combination of common sense and ordinary courtesy. As my vision deteriorates — as pretty much everyone’s does as they age, to one degree or another — I’m going to benefit <I>directly</I> from this particular common-sense courtesy, as opposed to the <I>indirect</I> benefit I derive when disabled people are enabled to participate more fully in society. <BR/><BR/>The thing is, adaptations are usually good for everyone. Ramps on the sidewalk are put there for people in wheelchairs, but they are also used by parents with strollers and by shoppers with grocery carts. When pedestrians are given a choice between using a ramp and a staircase, you will usually see them choose the ramp. <BR/><BR/>There’s a program on the city buses here in Montreal that allows women to ask to be let off between stops at night so they don’t have to walk as far. I dislike the implementation: I think that once it’s recognised that some people feel uncomfortable walking alone after dark that the program should be open to everyone. A gay teenager worried about skinheads should be able to get off in front of his door at midnight if he thinks it’s necessary. So should an old guy worried about muggers. Personally? I’m a woman but I’ve never felt the need to use the service. I think this particular implementation reinforces the notion that women are victims, but the concept, if extended to everyone, is quite valuable. <BR/><BR/>A lot of us would benefit from noise-cancelling headphones at work even without a diagnosis of ADHD. Making them available to all employees would presumably improve workplace productivity for everyone without singling anyone out for special treatment. <BR/><BR/>And don’t we all like the big adapted toilet cubicles? Sure, they exist so that wheelchair users can use them, but the rest of us benefit. <BR/><BR/>More relevant to mental health issues is probably part-time work or flexible schedules. There are lots of people who would benefit from being able to choose four 10-hour days over five 8-hour ones, or simply working fewer standard days a week. You don’t need a special certified disability, visible or invisible, to want that. <BR/><BR/>I haven’t told my boss about the mental health services that I use. If at some point I need to take sick leave — well, at some point most people need to take sick leave for one reason or another. I’m not different that way. If I become unable to manage myself any longer and am no longer productive, that’s another story. I have two years of employment insurance that’s part of my benefits package and then I have to rethink my life. I don’t worry much about talking to my boss because any disability I have is invisible. <BR/><BR/>I guess the real issue is that people with disabilities are assumed to be incompetent, and that their participation in the workforce is an ill-gotten gain. Kind of like anyone who is different from the stereotype for a particular job. (Women in tech support. Black people in research. They <I>must</I> be there as a special favour. They can’t <I>really</I> be any good.) There are no accommodations that can address visibility; and if people believe you deserve to be there, they won’t be griping that you are allowed to type with a mouth stick when everyone else has to use their hands.Alison Cumminshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06370841996857073237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-14556557530649400502008-05-22T11:44:00.000-04:002008-05-22T11:44:00.000-04:00I am all for redesigning money so that it can be d...I am all for redesigning money so that it can be distinguished by the blind. That will also help children, the elderly, those that aren't so bright, and anyone else when they aren't paying close attention. <BR/><BR/>I just can't imagine anyone ever being able to go to their prospective employer and to ask for special treatment because they are Bipolar! Perhaps an accomodation that would work not just for mental illness but for many conditions would be to require ALL employers to grant unlimited leave without the employee having to specify a reason.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-39359222154508681342008-05-22T11:39:00.000-04:002008-05-22T11:39:00.000-04:00Great blog! Very relevant topic.I know moms of pre...Great blog! Very relevant topic.<BR/><BR/>I know moms of preemies whose children have disabilities due to premature birth.<BR/><BR/>These are admirable women who are doing their best to make sure their children get best of all possible help and are raising their kids to be strong and not get affected by any stigma.<BR/><BR/>I consider myself very blessed that my children escaped any long term consequence of prematurity.<BR/>But here is a link to a mom's blog.Kara.Mom of triplets.<BR/>http://themctriplets.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>Two of her sons are legally blind due to Retinopathy of prematurity.They can see things that are very very near but as they grow they will be taught brail.<BR/>I admire this woman.She is only 30 but life has given her so many blessings and challenges, that just reading her blog takes my breath away.<BR/><BR/>Sorry I went toally off topic.<BR/>Your talk of blindness triggered this.shraddhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13549183128453714957noreply@blogger.com