It started as a workshop for a grad seminar on social justice and has turned into a popular book WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES by sociologist Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D. that just sold 20 books in two days in April without any publicity. So it seems there is more and more concern with how to work effectively with people with disabilities.

The book is designed to show officers and managers of corporations, small business, and non-profits and their employees how to conduct a workshop to help everyone better understand how to work with and provide employment opportunities for employees with a disability.  It features a program which provides both information and series of simulations and games which offer a hands-on experience designed to stimulate reflection and discussion.  The workshop can be scheduled as a series of half-day or evening programs or as a two-day training of up to 16 hours.

The book begins with an initial assessment and welcome to the workshop.  Then, after an overview of topics, the goals and objectives of the training, and guidelines for participation, the book features these topics:

      - the definition of a disability and types of disabilities

      - the history of treatment of people with disabilities

      - the disability rights movement

      - the laws protecting people with disabilities

      - the personal experiences of participants with disabilities

      - a visualization of having different disabilities and a discussion of the experience

      - simulation experiences of different disabilities

      - films on understanding and communicating with people with disabilities

      - discussion with partners or in groups about experiences before and during the workshop

      - sharings with the whole group.

The book includes a PowerPoint presentation that can be used in the workshop, along with some worksheets, a plan of action, and with references and resources on the growing awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities, videos made by those with a disability, top disability websites, and more.

More information on obtaining the book, which is available through Amazon, is at http://tinyurl.com/qxbda2u

http://www.amazon.com/Working-People-Disabilities-Understand-Communicate/dp/147769594X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397328136&sr=8-3&keywords=working+with+people+with+disabilities)