Power Grid Blog
Epiphanies
February 6, 2013 | TaKeisha Walker
Last week was a week of firsts for me. Along with my colleague, Randy Cooper, I attended the Assistive Technology Industry Association’s (ATIA) conference and presented in front of a national audience for the first time. To add to the excitement, I got to fly off to Orlando, FL in the middle of a bitter cold snap in DC.
Once there, I quickly realized the importance of this gathering of professionals. Even before the conference officially started I was networking with conference attendees on an airport shuttle. Many of them were secondary school teachers looking for tools, techniques, and strategies that will help them better serve their students.
Immediately, the power of the Disability Equality Index (DEI) to change peoples’ lives became evident. And, the connection between this seemingly corporate tool and the women that I was sitting with started coming into focus. Of what interest is the DEI to a special education teacher in Texas?
I used most of my time before my presentation thinking about the link between school teachers, clinical psychologists, and other assistive technology professionals and the Disability Equality Index. Finally with T minus 2 hours before the presentation I had an epiphany (I am notorious for my epiphanies). Each of these professionals are working to prepare individuals for success – whether it be in the form of independent living or general prosperity, work plays a big role in achieving the elusive American Dream. The DEI is not only for corporations to benchmark progress, it is for the same community that gathered for the conference. We are working to make equal employment a reality for the disability community and the DEI promises to help achieve this overarching goal. Of course, it seems so clear now. Success, employment, prosperity, and independent living are linked to the availability of quality resources to help people and organizations get there. A special education teacher in Texas should care about the DEI because she cares about the overall success of her students and the availability of employment for them. The DEI is not only a corporate tool;, it’s a community tool; a tool of inclusion and a tool to promote human rights.
