Appeared in Disability Today, Fall 1995
Decades are remembered by historical events, major breakthroughs, short-lived fads and dominant trends. As we move past the midway point of the '9Os, it appears that the need for people to be more concerned about their future has emerged as a prevailing trend.
The days of assumed job security and one-firm careers are waning. Contractual employment and entrepreneurship are on the rise. The perceptions of governmental bottomless pits are being set straight, and with health care costs increasing at astronomical rates, there is a push to deinstitutionalize people with disabilities and thrust them into the mainstream. As society tightens its belt to combat salary cuts and price hikes, the idea of getting something for nothing is as welcome as a breath of fresh air. And so enters another '9Os trend - the free exchange of enormous amounts of information.
But not surprisingly, the good comes with some bad. For all the useful information that is now instantly available through computer Bulletin Boards and Internet services, controversial images and unwanted narrative lie in waiting for the uninitiated. Nonetheless, the ease of accessing and disseminating information provides unique opportunities for everyone, especially people with disabilities. As a group, people with disabilities are underemployed. For years, systemic barriers, transportation issues, inaccessibility and societal attitudes have been obstacles to employment. These roadblocks are slowly rolling over, but for many not fast enough.
Today's cyberworld, however, immediately opens doors for those interested in marketing their abilities and exploring untapped resources. A home page on the Internet for example, offers people with a disability a forum to market themselves. Whether they are looking for a job or looking for places to provide a product or service, the search can begin from home. The home page transcends any transportation problems and offers an audience of over 100 million people. A computer equipped with a modem, software and enough memory is all that is required - an initial outlay of approximately $3,500. Software packages such as "Internet in a Box" make navigation a snap! Depending on the Internet provider, the chance to create a home page can be had free of charge.
The beauty of the Internet is that any computer complete with modem can share information. A Unix system can talk to DOS and DOS can effectively communicate with Macintosh. The Internet is a massive collection of modems that distribute information much like a large tree distributes water from the ground to its leaves. Information may start at the home page (the roots) and be shared by someone in Tokyo (top branch). Each modem connects to an enormous chain of other users, providing a world of information at no cost. The Internet was initially conceived and utilized by universities and colleges. Scientists and doctors soon adopted the economical way of sharing information. Today's systems allow any user the same connectivity.
A home page could be viewed by millions of people. A clear and precise message is needed. By keeping it simple, a good first impression is sure to be made.
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