Sunday, August 22, 1999
Workshops focus on politics, religion
Experts to discuss disability issues
BY DEBORAH KENDRICK
Enquirer contributor
Politics and religion are two cornerstones of what it means to be American. They are also two arenas which often, albeit inadvertently, exclude people with disabilities. Two upcoming Cincinnati workshops address these issues in a direct and useful way.
VOTING DIFFICULTY: When a smart woman comes into your office to talk about other issues and happens to mention that she never votes, you want to know why. Sandy Kerlin, co-director of the Inclusion Network, certainly did, and what she heard astonished her.
The woman never votes, she said, because it's too hard to get it done — too hard to register, too hard to get to the polling place, too hard to get your ballot marked.
Many people with disabilities are not registered to vote for a variety of reasons. For some, it is a lack of awareness of the process. How do you register to vote? How do you learn about the issues? For others, it is avoidance of one more difficult, inaccessible process.
A study conducted last year by Rutgers University and the New Jersey Developmental Disability Council revealed this disturbing fact: If people with disabilities voted at the same rate as their nondisabled peers, 4.6 million more Americans would be casting ballots.
“Journey to the Voting Booth” is a free workshop to be held Sept. 10, presented by the Inclusion Network and the League of Women Voters. While anyone is welcome, Mr. Ker lin hopes that professionals from nonprofit organizations in a position to assist people with disabilities in the voting process will be the primary audience.
The half-day workshop will cover such issues as how does an individual register to vote, how do you learn about candidates and issues, and what do you do when you arrive at the polling place if it is physically inaccessible or you need assistance marking your ballot.
“Many people don't realize, for example, that any person with a disability can use an absentee ballot,” Ms. Kerlin says.
The free workshop will be 8:30-11:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Urban League, 3458 Reading Road in Avondale. For information, contact Lisa at 287-6530.
TOGETHER WORKSHOP: “Together We are Better” will be an all-day workshop, Oct. 25, presented by the Jewish Federation and the Inclusion Network. It aims to maximize the gifts of all people in religious congregations.
Understanding disability in Scripture, making congregations accessible, and integrating people with disabilities into the religious community will be the kinds of issues addressed in this conference.
Presenter will be the Rev. Dr. Harold Wilke, founder of the Healing Community. He is also one of the four honored individuals with disabilities to appear on the dais with President Bush for the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The interdenominational event is open to anyone interested in making religious congregations more inclusive environments.
“Together We are Better” will take place from 8 a.m.-3:15 p.m. at Westwood First Presbyterian Church, 3011 Harrison Ave., Westwood, Information: 621-7500.
Deborah Kendrick is a nationally recognized advocate for people with disabilities. E-mail: dkendrick@enquirer.com
KENDRICK ARCHIVE
