Advocate for disabled people says 'communication is key to workplace success'

Posted October 14, 2009
By Gary Szymanski
Chief, Cost Engineering Norfolk District

10/14/2009 - NORFOLK, Va. — Ellen L. Shackelford, founder and president of Connections Access Consulting Services, LLC, based in Hampton, Va., was guest speaker at Norfolk District's National Disability Employment Awareness Month observance, which highlights the achievements and contributions of disabled people in the workplace.

During the Oct. 7 program, held at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District headquarters, Shackelford discussed this year's theme, "Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation," focusing on communicating effectively with disabled people.

"For 31 years, I've had the privilege of working for the Corps and side-by-side with some of the most talented people I will ever meet," said Richard Klein, chief of programs branch.

Klein emphasized that having a disability does not mean you can't make a difference. "We've had engineers and architects who were in wheelchairs; we have had disabled people working here for the Corps as long as I can remember – all of them bring something to this exciting and worthwhile mission, and the bottom line is we have an excellent team. It just doesn't get any better than that," said Klein.

During her address, Shackelford vividly described the 1983 traffic accident that took her son's life and that left her paralyzed.

Determined to live a full and active life, Shackelford said of her spinal chord injury disability, "You fall and you get back up! I can still do what I need to do."

Shackelford, first runner-up in the 2007-2008 Ms. Wheelchair Virginia Pageant, also shared how her 5-year-old grandson motivated her to become an advocate for the disabled.

"He asked me one day when I was in need of something, ‘How do I know what to do if you don't tell me?'" said Shackelford. "I realized then that I could make a difference and become an advocate for the hundreds of thousands of disabled people who are an intricate part of our workforce and society."

Shackelford also credits her success to her mother's support. "My mom's unfailing support and the words of encouragement I continue to receive from family and friends are amazing!" she said.

Shackelford said that there are more than 54 million Americans with some form of mental or physical disability, and that the numbers continue to grow, especially due to our Wounded Warriors returning from war and the aging baby boomer population.

Shackelford's discussion included an audience participation session, where employees indicated a disability they could live with, and one they would not want to face. Feedback varied, and many employees commented that they needed to consider how a disability would affect their lives and the things they loved to do.

An informative video followed on the dos and don'ts to communicating effectively with people with wide-ranging disabilities.

Shackelford concluded her discussion on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the importance of providing disabled people with "reasonable" accommodations in the workplace.

Gary Szymanski earned the 2008 Department of the Army Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award.