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Greetings!
Ms. Wheelchair State Pageants are happening all
over the country now and these title-holders will be
competing in the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant to
represent people
with disabilities from all over the U.S. Read all about
this great program! Plus read about
Rick Hansen who has been a groundbreaking
champion
for the disabled community! Then, what could be
more fun than planning a trip to Paris with folks who
know how to get around that city in a wheelchair?
Finally, check out information on the Economic
Stimulus package and how it benefits workers with a
disability!
Read on,
and as always, if you have a
need or a question, we are
here for you!
| 24 Years Ago, the history-making Rick Hansen 'Man in Motion World Tour' began |
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On March 21st 1985, international medal-winning
athlete and Olympian Rick Hansen and his team, left
Oakridge Centre in Vancouver to raise awareness of
the potential of people with disabilities, and to fulfill
his dream of an accessible and inclusive world. Two
years later, against all odds, he arrived home after
pushing his wheelchair through 34 countries across
four continents. Hansen inspired and galvanized a
nation, changed perceptions about people with a
disability and set the course for improving lives of
people with spinal cord injury. He kept going on his
unwavering belief that if you dare to dream, anything is
possible.
For more on Rick Hansen, watch the video
message from Rick inviting all to join the
celebrations.
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| Take the 'dis' out of disabled travel in Paris, say planners |
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It may be too late to plan a trip to enjoy 'April in Paris,'
but you can still have summer in Paris with a group
that offers tours
and travel information and consultation for
wheelchair-using
visitors to the world's most beautiful city.
The company called 'Paris on Wheels' also arranges
van tours
and taxi service. From Sacre Coeur at Montmartre to
the streets
of the Marais, from the Eiffel Tower to Notre
Dame, Paris is open to you. They say they can help
you
access the city, and the rest of France, as you
never thought possible. "We'll see to it that you do
what
you like, when you
like," says the company.
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| Ms. Wheelchair state pageants going on throughout the country |
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On July 26, 2008, Michelle Colvard, a native of
Houston, TX, was chosen from a group of diverse and
talented women as Ms. Wheelchair America 2009.
Since then she has traveled across the country
speaking to groups, appearing in parades and
spreading the word for people with disabilities. In
many
states, Ms. Wheelchairs are being crowned who will
compete for the America title. The mission of Ms.
Wheelchair America is to provide an opportunity for
women of achievement who happen to be wheelchair
users to successfully educate and advocate for the
more than 52 million Americans living with
disabilities. Unlike the traditional beauty pageants, it
is instead a competition based on advocacy,
achievement, communication and presentation to
select the most accomplished!
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| For All Your Mobility Needs, Call Monroe Wheelchair! |
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You can depend on all of us at Monroe Wheelchair for
the latest
technology in medical equipment and the highest
quality healthcare.
Our staff has a combined 300 years of experience in
the medical equipment industry and Monroe's on-site
owner, Doug Westerdahl, continually monitors and
works together with his staff to improve customer
service.
Call us at 1-888-546-8595
today!
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Economic Stimulus bill works for people with disabilities who want to |
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Disabled business owners score!
People with disabilities scored a major victory in the
economic stimulus package signed by President
Barack Obama last month.
Businesses owned by
people with disabilities are to be given consideration
in stimulus contracts issued by the Secretary of the
Treasury.
"For the first time persons with disabilities have been
especially included in a bill of this magnitude," said
Richard Salem, founder of Enable America. "It is an
extraordinary development, and we applaud the
Congress for the recognition given to the importance
of persons with disabilities in the workplace as a part
of diversity programs and the need for self-sufficiency
and independence."
Initial drafts of the $787
billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
required that women and minority owned businesses
be given consideration when stimulus contracts are
awarded, but contained no mention of businesses
owned and operated by people with disabilities.
Senator Harkin's office submitted the language that
was ultimately included in the legislation.
The provision is designed to aid a segment of the
workforce that has an employment rate far lower than
that of the general population.
According to
Cornell
University's 2007 Disability Status Report, only 37% of
people with disabilities are employed as opposed to
80% of people without a disability. In all, there are
more than 9 million Americans with disabilities who
are able and want to work, but do not.
"Employers
have discovered that people with disabilities
strengthen their workforce," said Enable America
Executive Director Susan Wood.
Read More!
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