NRCS Mississippi Competitive Sourcing
NRCS National Competitive Sourcing

Disability Emphasis Program

The Mississippi Disability Employment Program seeks to:

Promote understanding and appreciation of individuals with disabilities
Create full participation in a work environment that capitalizes on creativity and richness
Promote understanding of the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Provide reasonable accommodations and accessibilities
Encourage managers to provide career enhancement and promotions for people with disabilities

The document below requires Adobe Acrobat.

2007 Disability Emphasis Month Poster (PDF; 479 KB)

2006 Americans with Disabilities Fact Sheet

2006 Disability Statistics for Mississippi - Cornell University

Disability Mentoring Day

Mississippi Schools for the Blind and Deaf

On October 26, 2006, AAPD/NRCS Disability Mentoring Day programs were presented at the Mississippi Schools for the Blind and Deaf. Over 50, 6th - 12th grade students participated. Local NRCS and SWCD employees, Jeffrey Lee, Area 2 Biologist, Rex Chandler, Area 2 Soil Scientist and Lynn Porter, Hinds County SWCD Information and Education Specialist, made presentations to all students about possible career opportunities in conservation. Students were also able to ask questions as the presenters from several different areas of conservation detailed their job responsibilities, training, and the personal satisfaction they received from their work. A power point presentation on NRCS Careers was also presented, and students had an opportunity to explore "hands on" items that were displayed. The brochure "Challenging Careers in the Natural Resources Conservation Service" was provided in regular, large print, and Braille formats. Copies of the brochure, and other handouts, were also given to the Addie McBride Center for adult students.

These were the first AAPD/NRCS Disability Mentoring Day program held in Mississippi, and both the teachers and the presenters declared them a success. As usual, these students were some of the best behaved and attentive students we work with, and the teachers and presenters were amazed at the questions that the students asked.

In a quote from Margie Owens, Curriculum Coordinator, MSB, "One way the Mississippi School for the Blind and the Mississippi School for the Deaf educate their students is through community resources. One of the "riches" community resources for the schools over the last five years has been the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Hinds County Soil and Water Conservation District."

Certificates of participation were presented to each student, as well as a plaque to each school, by Gerry Hull, State Disability Emphasis Program Manger. It is hard to tell from the picture, but the plaque presented to the School for the Blind was done in Braille, as well as, regular text.

Disability Etiquette

We are required to include the "non-discrimination statement" on all materials provided to the public. The new statement was revised July 2005.

1. Public meeting announcements should include instructions for people who need accommodations, wheelchair accessibilities, interpreters, special diets (if food is provided) or alternate form materials such as Braille. Many buildings claim to be accessible but only certain areas.

2. If you know as interpreter is going to be needed at a meeting, provide printed copies of power point presentations, etc. so that the interpreter and person with hearing impairment can read ahead or take notes.

3. Disability Etiquette

People with disabilities are entitled to the same courtesies you would extend to anyone, including personal privacy. If you find it inappropriate to ask people about their sex lives, their complexions, or their incomes, extend the same courtesy to people with disabilities.
If you don't make a habit of leaning or hanging on people, don't lean or hang on someone's wheelchair. Wheelchairs are an extension of personal space. When you offer to assist someone with vision impairment, allow the person to take your arm. This will help you to guide, rather than propel or lead, the person.
Treat adults an adults. Call a person by his or her first name only when you extend this familiarity to everyone present. Don't patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head. Reserve this sign of affection for children.

In Conversation

When talking with someone who has a disability, speak directly to him or her rather than through a companion who may be along.
Relax, don't be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions, such as "See you later" or "I've hot to run" that seem to relate to the person's disability.
To get the attention of a person who has a hearing disability, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly and expressively to establish if the person can read your lips. Not everyone with hearing impairments can read lip. Those who do will rely on facial expressions and other body language to help understand. Show consideration by facing a light source and keeping your hands and food away from your mouth when speaking. Keep mustaches well-trimmed. Shouting won't help, but written notes will
When talking with a person in a wheelchair for more than a few minutes, place yourself at the wheelchair user's eye level to spare both of you a stiff neck.
When greeting a person with a severe loss of vision, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. Say, for example, "On my right is Andy Clark" When conversing in a group, remember to say the name of the person to whom you are speaking to give vocal cue. Speak in a normal tone of voice, indicate when you move from one place to another, and let it be known when the conversation is at an end.
Give whole, unhurried attention when you're talking to a person who has difficulty speaking. Keep your manner encouraging rather than correcting, and be patient rather than speak for the person. When necessary, ask questions that require short answers or a nod or shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Repeat what you understand. The person's reaction will guide you to understanding.

Common courtesies

If you would like to help someone with a disability, ask if he or she needs it before you act, and listen to any instructions the person may want to give.

When giving directions to a person in a wheelchair, consider distance, weather conditions and physical obstacles such as stairs, curbs and steep hills.

When directing a person with a visual impairment, use specifics such as "left a hundred feet" or "right two yards."

Be considerate of the extra time it might take a person with a disability to get things done or said. Let the person set the pace in walking and talking.

When planning events involving persons with disabilities, consider their needs ahead of time. If an insurmountable barrier exists. let them know about it prior to the event.

The material above is from the Easter Seals website

Resources

For more information contact:

Gerry Hull
DEPM/VEPM
USDA-NRCS
311 Airport Road
Pearl, MS 39208
Phone: 601-965-5233 ext. 232
Fax: 601-965-5734
email: gerry.hull@ms.usda.gov

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