Expo focuses on disabilities

by Caleb Fort

Daily Lobo

In 1982, Robert Vick was the victim of an assault, which blinded and partially paralyzed him.

In 2005, his company, Vick's Vittles, won the prize for best food on an Air Force base - in the world - thanks to its work at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Vick spoke to about 40 people in the SUB Ballroom at the first UNM Disability Awareness Expo on Tuesday.

His company serves more than 1,200 meals per day at the base's Thunderbird Inn. Of about 50 employees, he said more than 30 of them have some kind of disability, ranging from mild mental disabilities to amputations.

He discussed misconceptions people have about disabilities and those who have them.

Although people may consider managing a business staffed mostly by people with disabilities to be a challenge, Vick said it is not any harder than a normal business.

Everyone has some things they cannot do, even if they aren't disabled, he said.

"All of us have disabilities, but it is important to focus on what our abilities are," Vick said.

Susan Carkeek, associate vice president for Human Resources, said there are at least 219 employees with disabilities at UNM.

Scott Reece, who attended the event and used to work with the disabled, said this was a good start. He hopes future programs are better attended, he said, because it is important for faculty, staff and students to realize that they have a lot in common with disabled people.

"We're more alike than we are different," he said. "Anything you want for yourself, they probably want the same kinds of things."

Kim Herron-Singleton, who helped organize the event, said about 75 people came to the fair.

"Of course I wish the attendance would have been greater," she said. "I think it just goes to show that we need to keep working on it. It's obviously not a priority on people's lists."

Vick said his business uses technology to help people do their jobs. For example, computers that read recipes out loud help blind people as well as people who have trouble reading because of dyslexia or other disorders.

Vick talked about etiquette for helping disabled people. He said it is rude to assume people need help, and it is better to ask them if they need assistance and what exactly they need.

He also said people with disabilities who do not need assistance are sometimes rude when people ask them if they need help. That attitude only hurts other people with disabilities who might want and need help, he said.

"If you have a disability and you need help, help the people around you know how to help you," he said.

There were about 20 booths at the expo, representing different organizations that help people with disabilities.

Vick said the organizations are good resources.

"They will help get you going in the right direction if you just ask them," he said. "There are so many resources at our fingertips now."

Marguerite Swanson, manager of Human Resources Special Projects, said she hopes the event will be twice as big next year.

She wants members of administration to get more involved and show they care by speaking at next year's event, she said.

Peter Kennedy worked at a booth for ARCA, which helps people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation.

"I think it is good," he said. "But I'd like to see better turnout."