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A Place to Know More About Ability
I had an interview with BBC. BBC features a lot of news around Tokyo 2020, but they also want to focus beyond sports and hear especially the living environment of people with disabilities in Japan. I had shared my experiences and knowledge of education, employment, physical accessibility (building, restroom etc.) as well as the social benefit.
My research has started since last October and finally is reaching to an end this month! Only few days left to go back home, Japan. When I first got Syracuse, I had only worries like “I don’t know if I can live here for 1 year…”, but everywhere can be the best place after you live there a while. Now I really love Syracuse including its inconvenience and lots of hills. hahaha. I really thank people who have supported me here in Syracuse!
1 and half year ago, I was selected as a fellow of Duskin Ainowa Foundation, and I joined their lecture to learn about the history of disability movement in the US. I spent 2 years in the US for college, so I knew the accessible environment for wheelchair users as well as that disabled people live actively in a community. However, I am ashamed to say that I didn’t know the historical background of disability movement. This time in Washington DC, I had a precious opportunity to meet Judith Heumann, who is one of the key persons of disability movement in the US. She is a special advisor for international disability rights at U.S. Department of State.
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.
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.
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.
Syracuse University where I have been working with since last October is the first college that started Disability Studies in the US. The campus is a very inclusive environment not only for students with disabilities but also for faculties with disabilities. Professor Michael A. Schwartz is a supervising attorney and director at Disability Rights Clinic under Syracuse University College of Law, and teaches disability law. He is Deaf.