by Sarah Ruf, Community Relations Specialist

Carlos Joseph (CJ) Hernandez is an ambitious and talented 27-year-old with autism who has created a successful career as a barber at Jhonny’s Barber Shop in Avondale.

When he’s not at work giving people awesome fades, he uses social media to help others overcome barriers related to autism.

by Annie Eldon, Guest Writer

Our Voices features guest bloggers in their own words sounding off on disability issues in Arizona.  

by Tracey Slauterbeck, Guest Writer

Our Voices features guest bloggers in their own words sounding off on disability issues in Arizona.  

Tracey Slauterbeck has served as a social work student intern with the Council this year. She has researched sex abuse of people with developmental disabilities and is part of an effort by the Council to bring together organizations in Arizona to track and combat this type of abuse, which often remains hidden. This is her story:

By Julie Whitaker, Program Project Specialist

by Erica McFadden, Executive Director

This month marks the 28th anniversary of one law many of us don’t think about: the American with Disabilities Act, or ADA. It proclaims to the world that people with disabilities are human, and that paternalistic, discriminatory, and segregationist attitudes aren’t acceptable.

by Sarah Ruf, Community Relations Specialist

Tucson resident Justin Hammonds recently won an Outstanding Achievement Award from Beacon Group in Tucson to recognize the outstanding progress in pursuit of his job goals. It was a celebratory moment, and a long time coming.  “Justin was chosen based on his persistence along the path to his current job, and his exceptional performance,” said Heidi Kirkland, marketing director at Beacon.

by Kimberly Solis, Guest Writer

Our Voices features guest bloggers in their own words sounding off on disability issues in Arizona.  

by Erica McFadden, Executive Director

“A woman brought her dog in here–it relieved itself all over my store, and she did not clean it up.”  

“Her ‘service’ dog was lunging at other customers.”

“They keep barking during the movie.”

Any of these situations sound familiar? There is a lot of confusion about the rights of handlers of service animals, emotional support animals and Arizona business and housing operators. 

by Mike Leyva, Contracts/Grants Coordinator

Our Voices features guest bloggers in their own words sounding off on disability issues in Arizona.  

Mike Leyva serves as the Contracts/Grants Coordinator for the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

by Erica McFadden, Executive Director

Insanity: (n.): doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.

Now that October’s Disability Employment Awareness month has come and gone with little fanfare, we need to take a long hard look at ourselves in the mirror.