Utilize Abilities of People with Disabilities, Instead of Putting Them in A Safe Zone ~EEOC~

Utilize Abilities of People with Disabilities, Instead of Putting Them in A Safe Zone ~EEOC~

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has 53 offices across the country, and is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. When you experience discrimination by an employer, you can contact the nearest EEOC office and file a charge (complaint) so that EEOC can investigate the discrimination and, in some cases, sue the employer if the issue cannot be resolved. EEOC Headquarters is located in Washington DC, and it was an honor to meet Peggy Mastroianni, Legal Counsel.

Interview at the U.S. Department of Labor: Keys to Promote Employment of People with Disabilities

Interview at the U.S. Department of Labor: Keys to Promote Employment of People with Disabilities

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in the U.S. Department of Labor is working to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. I had the opportunity to interview three people at ODEP. The first person I would like to write about is Jennifer Sheehy, Deputy Assistant Secretary.

The American Association of People with Disabilities in Washington DC!

The American Association of People with Disabilities in Washington DC!

In Washington DC, I visited The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and interviewed Zach Baldwin, Director of Outreach. AAPD has implemented various projects to promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. This time I mainly asked about employment-related projects, which is my research focus.

Traveling New York City with Wheelchair

Traveling New York City with Wheelchair

Actually this is my second time to visit New York City (NYC). My first visit was 8 years ago in 2008. After the conference and my friend left for Japan, I have been walking around NYC, literally to west, east, north and south! Sometimes I walk more than 1 hour at one time. Through my adventures, I have found many things that I didn’t see last time I was here, or I didn’t notice last time.

9th Session of Conference of State Parties to Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at United Nations in New York!

9th Session of Conference of State Parties to Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at United Nations in New York!

I have been in New York City (NYC) since last week. The main purpose of visiting NYC is to attend the 9th session of the Conference of State Parties to Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The convention is international level rules that protect rights of people with disabilities. The text was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, and Japan signed in 2007 to agree with the convention and confirmed officially in 2014 after improved domestic policies for people with disabilities. This year in April, the Act for Eliminate Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities came into force in Japan. This is one of the improvements that Japanese government has implemented to comply with CRPD. Through 3 days conference, I have gained lots of information and things to think…and new networks!

What My Mom Said About Me Dating With A Wheelchair User – Last Episode – Different Shapes of Love

What My Mom Said About Me Dating With A Wheelchair User – Last Episode – Different Shapes of Love

This is the last episode of “What My Mom Said About Me Dating With A Wheelchair User.”There are several reasons for me to start writing this story – “What My Mom Said About Me Dating With A Wheelchair User.” The first thought actually came up to my mind during this Chines New Year when I went home in Taiwan.

This year, unlike any other Chinese New Year, is the first time I went home as a married man. (Mizuki was in the U.S. doing her research or otherwise she would have been with me in Taiwan.) My mom said to me that she wants to buy Mizuki a gold necklace or a gold ring. I said “thank you but we do not need any gold necklaces nor rings.” I did not understand why my mom likes gold and wants to give Mizuki gold until I later learned the reason.