What Makes a Disability Advocate?
by Terri Ricci
Some say that you have
to have a disability to understand what people with disabilities
endure on a daily basis. This can be said to be true of Mark Hughes,
the co-producer of “Disability Viewpoints” which
airs on CTV-15 every Monday at 7:30 p.m. CTV-15 serves the Twin Cities
northern suburbs of Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little
Canada, Mounds view, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, Shoreview,
and St. Anthony.
“Disability Viewpoints” is
Hughes’ way
of informing the community about different disability issues that
affect people with disabilities. Including information about the
transportation and employment issues that are at the top of the
list of barriers to self-sufficiency within the disability community.
It also gives the viewer an opportunity to get information about
different non-profit organizations that advocate and support people
with disabilities. United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota (UCPM) is
the co-producer of this endeavor and they provide content and guests
for the show. Guests have included elected officials, entertainers,
athletes, and advocates for the disabled. Recently, Congressman
Jim Ramstad shared his viewpoint with Hughes on stem cell research,
Metro Mobility funding, and other disability related topics.
Future topics for the
show will include recreation for people with physical disabilities,
the “b-ball” baseball team for
people with vision impairments, building an accessible home, the
services at Shrine Hospital and more. UCPM is currently accepting
requests to appear on the show in 2006. Contact Jo Ann Erbes at ucpmn@cpinternet.com or 651-646-7588 if you are interested in appearing on the show.
Non-profit disability related services providers are encouraged
to contact UCPM to put information about their events and activities
on the bulletin board. Disability Viewpoints and UCPM reserve the
right to edit the bulletin board events as appropriate.
As a person with cerebral
palsy, Hughes knows first hand what non-profit organizations, such
as UCPM and the Shriner’s Hospital for
Children, can do to encourage and support a person with a disability.
Hughes’ has had over 35 procedures in his lifetime and most
of them have been supported by the Shriner’s Hospital for Children
in Minneapolis.
In May 2005, Hughes
was awarded the Rainbow of Hope award from the Minneapolis Shriner’s Hospital for Children for being an outstanding
role model within the disability community. What defines a role model?
As the Rainbow of Hope Nominations stated, “Someone who has
overcome physical limitations in life while maintaining a positive
attitude; a mentor; a good example to their peers; or a person who
provides a service to their community.” Hughes certainly fits
that definition. He mentors students at the Carlson School of Management,
serves on numerous non-profit boards and works full-time at KSTP-TV,
Channel 5, where he has worked for 26 years.
To fulfill his service
to the community, Hughes began “Disability
Viewpoints” as a place to educate and communicate information
to the community that often does not get into the mainstream newspaper
or television news programs. For his commitment to getting the information
out to the general public, Hughes was awarded his second national “Access-Able
Award” from the Alliance for Community Media.
Congratulations to Mark on his accomplishments! He certainly has
worked hard to achieve independence and recognition for his remarkable
skills of bringing the disability community together. At the same
time we should be looking at celebrating all the momentum that is
being showcased in 2005 with the 15th Anniversary of the signing
of ADA.
Do all disability advocates have disabilities? No! Some advocates
are family members, some are friends or relatives, and some are just
concerned and impassioned individuals that care for the best treatment
of all individuals, regardless of their race, age, religion, eye
color, or disability. Most advances in social change have been brought
forth not only by the minority group that wants the change, but also
by the allies or advocates that can help advance the issue within
the majority group.
Who are your advocates?
Are you an advocate for others? Let Access Press know. We would
like to hear your story. Send an email to access@accesspress.org or
by mail to 1821 University Avenue W, Suite 104S, St. Paul, MN 55104.
You can also contact us by phone 651-644-2133.
