Comments on: Opening new worlds: The disability boom

By: Charles Widner

Charles Widner — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:31:04 +0000

I have been disabled for over 4 years now. I remember how hard it was being home bound and not productive for my family any more.

I started reviewing and learning about Work at Home opportunities that were out there. There were not very many that were legitimate. I did work at some for a while but they never panned out as permanent or profitable.

I was lucky enough to find J. Lodge Corporation (www.jlodge.com). They specialize in working with Disabled Americans and the Ticket to Work Program (www.yourtickettowork.com) with the Social Security Administration. They have openings that provide a inexpensive way for companies to fill there needs for workers and provide a valuable service to the disabled by helping they find work that they can do and stay within parameters of Social Security Administration rules.

J. Lodge currently has some great positions open right now. It is easy to apply at http://www.jlodge.com/careers. If you are unsure if you qualify for a Ticket to Work – check out http://www.yourtickettowork.com first to get all the particulars of that program.

By: Frank, Utah

Frank, Utah — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 07:43:32 +0000

It's deaf owned and operated by the very same people that worked for cheap to make it possible..how could you *possibly* think it was meant as an insult? You insult yourself, methinks.

Cheap Skilled Labor is a reference to the startup-type company that Viable was at the time.

That's what college students/graduates (dropouts too I guess :) are – cheap and skilled. Skilled because they're smart and educated (how is that an insult??) and cheap because college students/graduates – especially in the technology field – will work for peanuts if it's exciting technology. Even more so if they're trying to make a difference.

THAT is the secret to Viable's success. That *DOES* highlight their workers.

By: Ridor, Richmond, VA

Ridor, Richmond, VA — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:28:06 +0000

Whoa! "Unidentified NY" true biz was offended by 'cheap skill labor'?! Somebody gets me the whiffle bat, serious case. Cheap skill labor has nothing to do with audism nor deaf people in general! It is all about economy, you fool!

By: Unidentified, NY

Unidentified, NY — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:11:24 +0000

I am surprised and shocked at the notion that a quote from this company speaks so low of the Deaf community. Shame on you that you would label Deaf employees "Cheap skilled labor." It's enough that we are fighting and still having to prove that those in Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities are no less than our hearing counter-parts. Now this article surfaces and you label us "cheap skilled labor?" How dare you?! Viable is successful because the hard work that Deaf and Hard of Hearing has offered. "Cheap" is the LAST word that should be used in any context of the word, especially in this environment. To those of you that have extended your wonderful efforts to make Viable successful – well done. Shame on Viable, you lost an opportunity to highlight your workers. Audism is a concept that exceeds spoken language, because it just happened in print.

By: BTM, Fishers, IN

BTM, Fishers, IN — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:17:30 +0000

I am thrilled that the Viable company understand the needs of deaf community. We, deaf people, are like hearing people moving around alot doing our own things both at home and away at work. The VPAD has made our lives possible to communicate with any people across the country, to keep in touch with friends/families, and to afford doing the business on the road.

Most important thing, we can travel by recreational vehicle and stay in touch with our children.

By: Victoria Odolski, Rochester, New York

Victoria Odolski, Rochester, New York — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:01:04 +0000

The politically/sociological correct term to describe people of the deaf community is deaf and hard-of-hearing, not deaf and hearing impaired. Medically, hearing-impaired is the term to use to describe our disability.

By: monique, montreal, que

monique, montreal, que — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:34:09 +0000

I have limited use of my arms and voice control software like the one I use, talkingdesktop have opened up the internet for me and let me run my computer more easily. Any efforts in this area whether software or hardware are much appreciated.

By: California

California — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:01:41 +0000

Having a VPAD in our home is blessing. We are able to call Video Relay Service any time we need to do. We even can call Viable's spanish operator to talk with my grandma in New York. Thanks, Viable!!!

By: Mike Weinberger, Las Vegas NV

Mike Weinberger, Las Vegas NV — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:29:36 +0000

In response to the poster who asks for proof that Sorenson is run by the hearing… The original owner, James Sorenson is hearing. He sold the company to an investment group — for $850M. CSDVRS also sold out to an investment group in Clearwater Florida. Another VRS company in California that used to be owned by an interpreter sold out to an investment group, too. All these investment groups are hearing people. Viable is the only truly deaf-owned and -operated VRS company left that is actually processing VRS calls.

By: Anon

Anon — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:03:59 +0000

It's no secret that Sorenson has been regarded as a "necessary evil" in some parts of the Deaf community.

True, Sorenson hires Deaf VP installers and community outreach "representatives." This is Sorenson putting on a "Deaf" face. They put on their "Deaf" face at various levels of the company, but the truth is they are owned and managed by Hearing.

The history of VRS is well documented and the truth is plain. SorensonVRS (ie, Sorenson Communications) was started by SorensonMedia, whose primary business is video codecs and the hardware and software that use them. Sorenson Communications was sold to GTCR…a private equity investment firm – i.e., a venture capital company. Neither Sorensen Media nor GTCR are owned or have anything to do with the Deaf world.

GTCR's Portfolio page for Sorenson Communications:

http://www.gtcr.com/portfolio/portfolio_companies/index.asp?Company_ID=137&alphaSet=&Industry_ID=&View=&MainList=altURL=portfolio/portfolio_companies/index.asp

Sorenson Communication's Executive Bio page:

http://www.sorenson.com/company/bios.php

Sorenson Media's Executive Bio page:

http://www.sorensonmedia.com/pages/?pageID=25

By: saydrah

saydrah — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:58:44 +0000

Disaboom is a great site. I'm on there every day! I definitely think it's the best site for disability and social networking around. Thanks for featuring it. I hope to see more about it in FSB, like if its stock price finally takes off!

By: M, California

M, California — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:55:17 +0000

Big Congratulation to all people at Viable, Inc! :-)

Go Go Go! GO Viable!

:-)

By: Scarlet Fever bucks pa

Scarlet Fever bucks pa — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:27:14 +0000

Would you people (including editors) please use people first language. workers with disabilities is preferred over disabled workers. Handicapped is as outdated as the N word.

Get with the 21st century. My mother is a cancer survivor, but I've never called her my cancered mother.

By: Vikki, Underwood North Dakota

Vikki, Underwood North Dakota — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:24:50 +0000

Interesting story, but how do Viable know that Sorenson is running by a hearing? Do they have a proof?? Because I used to work for Sorenson and I have known that the Sorenson had been running by deaf people. So why point at them for a weak link such as "run by hearing". Gotta be careful what being said unless proof. If there is no such a proof how do I know if Viable is telling the truth about the new techology?? If they lie about Sorenson?? Where is the proof? I would love to know if there is proof and I be interested to see.

By: Brad, Denver, CO

Brad, Denver, CO — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:00:41 +0000

A great story! There are several other interesting online sites for persons with disabilities like Xable.com (media network) and Whispers4U.com (dating and matchmaking).