Consumers should keep informed about and review access plans and permits for new construction in the community. COMMERCIAL SERVICES: AVAILABILITY OF DISCOUNTS A second issue related to commercial services and identified as a problem is the availability of special rates for disabled consumers. This issue was selected in one survey involving 1.185 respondents, with an importance rating of 82% and a satisfaction rating of 35%. Consumer-Identified Dimensions Disabled people do not get the same discounts and shopping privileges as Senior Citizens. a very low fixed income. Consumer-Generated Alternatives Most disabled people are on Independent living centers can sell discount cards to consumers for use with participating merchants. This was done by Westside CIL in Los Angeles. Have a group of disabled people discuss a proposal with local merchants. COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND RESPONSIVENESS This category includes issues related to family, community, and government support in meeting the needs of persons with disabilities. Five somewhat related items were chosen by 1,914 consumers in 6 surveys. They received consistently high importance ratings, with - an average of 86%, and relatively low satisfaction ratings, with an average of 46%. Consumer-Identified Dimensions - Families and communities do not encourage disabled members to be independent. The community does not provide opportunities or assistance for disabled people to live independently. There are not enough support groups available for people with disabilities and their families. Sexuality counseling for people with disabilities is not available. Local governments are unresponsive to disability issues, Consumer-Generated Alternatives Encourage community groups to organize support groups and events to involve disabled people and their families. Encourage churches to work with support groups, and include disabled people and their families in church activities. Use local media to feature stories about including people with disabilities in community activities. Ask city councils for help in organizing programs that will encourage independence for disabled people and their families. Independent living centers should provide training for their staff counselors in sexuality counseling or bring in professional counselors for a workshop and provide materials. Consumer groups should represent themselves at city council and county court meetings, become familiar with city budgets, and advocate for funds for access improvements and disability programs. Consumer groups should encourage and assist disabled citizens to register to vote. Use the American Civil Liberties Union to enforce existing access and registration laws. DISABILITY RIGHTS AND ADVOCACY Issues related to involving disabled citizens in advocacy activities, increasing their knowledge about their rights, and training in self-advocacy were selected in 4 different surveys. Three related questions were chosen by 2,430 people with disabilities. They received an average importance rating of 88% 6 and an average satisfaction rating of 45%. Consumer-Identified Dimensions People with disabilities are unaware of their legal rights. Most people with disabilities are unaware of what pending legislation at state and national levels they should support or oppose. People with disabilities need training in forming advocacy organizations. Consumer-Generated Alternatives Professionals and independent living centers can foster local and state leadership within the disabled community. - People with disabilities need to inform themselves and attend advocacy meetings at all levels; to get on sailing lists for disability groups involved in legislation; and to obtain names, addresses, and numbers of elected officials. Disabled consumers should organize locally around identified and prioritized issues and form connections with state and national groups. Training in advocacy skills should be provided. EDUCATION Most consumers responding to the consumer concerns survey are adults speaking for their own issues. Accordingly, issues relating to the education of disabled children and youth emerge less frequently than they aight if parent/advocates or consumers under 18 were more involved. However, two survey items relating to public education about disability and transition services for young adults were chosen as issues by 2,534 consumers in 2 surveys, with an average importance rating of 83% and a satisfaction rating of 49%. Consumer-Identified Dimensions Disabled students are isolated from social interaction with nondisabled students. 7 · Nondisabled students are not educated abut disabilities and reach adulthood unaware of people with disabilities and disability issues. Disabled students end up on waiting lists for transition services for several years following high school graduation, resulting in loss of skills, knowledge, and motivation during the waiting period. Consumer-Generated Alternatives • Increase sainstreaming of disabled students. - Recruit teachers and school employees with disabilities. - Independent living centers should work with schools. - Transition activities should be incorporated into the school curriculum for disabled students and not wait until after high school. EXPLOYMENT ACCOMMODATIONS, DISINCENTIVES, AND TRAINING Six survey items related to job accommodations in the workplace, work disincentives, and quality of job assistance and training programs were identified by 11,172 consumers as relative problems in 8 surveys. They received an average importance rating of 84% and an average satisfaction rating of 42%. Consumer-Identified Dimensions - Many businesses do not provide reasonable accommodations in the workplace. - Work disincentives still exist within the Social Security system. In addition to loss of economic benefits are loss or reduction in medical benefits, housing subsidies, food stamps, attendant services, etc. - Disabled job hunters lack basic job-seeking skills and are unaware of incentives to employers and laws prohibiting discrimination. - Blind people have lost their tax credit; other disability groups were never eligible. - People with disabilities do not know where to go for job training or assistance in finding a job. Consumer-Generated Alternatives Consumer groups need to form à coalition to lobby legislators at federal and state levels for tax credits. VR could offer training in job-seeking skills. Consumer groups should develop guidelines on what constitutes reasonable accommodation in the workplace. Disseminate information about where to go for job training skills and job-related assistance. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION Two survey items related to job discrimination were identified by 13.136 consumers as top problems in 10 surveys. They received an average importance rating of 85% and an average satisfaction rating of 42%. Consumer-Identified Dimensions - People with disabilities are discriminated against because of their disability. Qualified disabled individuals are not given the same opportunity as nondisabled people. Consumer-Generated Alternatives Consumers need to teach disabled job seekers about proper attitudes and how to develop a businesslike demeanor when dealing with a potential employer. Disabled people aust sell an employer on their abilities and not rely on sympathy. If a specific employer is perceived as insensitive, invite a representative of that company to speak to a disability group about employment. Independent living centers and advocacy groups need to encourage and assist disabled job applicants and employees to enforce laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination. - Disabled individuals can contact the Job Accommodations Network or similar resources for help in locating jobs and training, marketing themselves to prospective employers, and obtaining reasonable accommodation. 9 |