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People With Developmental Disabilities: Just Say Something!

October 21st, 2009

People With Developmental Disabilities: Just Say Something!
by Martin Steinberg

Nearly two decades after the passage of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people of all ages with developmental disabilities in New Jersey continue to lack jobs, health care, housing, and access to public venues.

To address this, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) has launched JustSaySomething.org, an online forum that squarely tackles the issues that people really care about.

"Too many people with developmental disabilities continue to live in outdated state institutions," said Dr. Alison Lozano, executive director of the Council. "Thousands more are waiting for housing.  Many sit for years on state waiting lists for support services they are qualified to receive. The public needs to recognize that people with developmental disabilities are equal members of the community and need to be treated fairly."

The premise for the online forum is simple: New Jerseyans are urged to report situations that speak positively or negatively to the issue of full inclusion of people with developmental and other disabilities in New Jersey.

Researchers estimate that nearly 20 percent of New Jersey's population has a disability. Yet issues related to people with developmental disabilities and their families receive precious little attention in the mainstream media and the halls of the Statehouse. They are under-represented in advertising campaigns and often "are not considered by elected officials, business leaders and community leaders to have a relevant voice in public debates and discussions," Lozano said.

That ends with Just Say Something. With only one month to go before election day, the Council is calling on people to use the gubernatorial election cycle to post real issues affecting and influencing the lives of people with disabilities.

"For too many years, ensuring that people with developmental disabilities are fully included in their communities has been an afterthought," Lozano said. "This online forum is a step to ending that injustice, encouraging thousands of New Jerseyans to speak up. I encourage everyone to post their ideas, comments and thoughts. New Jersey needs to hear your voice."

Last fall, the Council polled its constituents on this issue. The responses confirmed what they and many others with developmental disabilities, their families and colleagues have been saying for years.

People with developmental disabilities do not have full access to public events, such as street fairs, parks and concerts (86%).

People with developmental disabilities do not have full access to public buildings (more than 88%).

People with developmental disabilities do not receive fair and balanced news coverage (98%).

Most Americans without disabilities do not consider people with developmental disabilities to be productive members of society (more than 92%)

To lay the groundwork for the "Just Say Something" forum, the Council hosted a series of coffeehouse meetings this spring across the state, including people with developmental disabilities, family members and professionals they work with. There was candid discussion about public perceptions of people with disabilities, as a first step towards encouraging full community participation. 

Guidelines for the "Just Say Something" Campaign came directly from what was learned in the Community Conversations.

For example:

When leafing through a sales circular, if it's noticed that people with developmental disabilities are portrayed in a positive way, write a letter or pick up the phone and share favorable impressions with the business owner. Urge others to shop in that business and tell them why.

If a TV show or movie portrays people with disabilities in stereotypical ways, or in a negative way, people should share their views with the producer and with others. Talk about impressions with friends and neighbors. Use blogging or Twittering to share concerns; write letters to the editor or write to the production company. If it is a movie, post an online review on prominent websites.

If a news article in which "people first" language is used, reach out to the editor or publisher. Let them know how important it is. And, when this language is not used, they also need to know.

"This campaign encourages and supports positive dialogue," Lozano said. "Good advocacy is not only about changing those things that are not working, it is about noticing and supporting those things that are. Community leaders, business leaders and lawmakers need to know that we are here, we are paying attention, and we have a lot to say."

Submitted by Martin Steinberg of Jaffe Communications