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published by
Sharing to Learn
ISSN 0822-0638
EDITORIAL
Education has lost its magic ability
The Ripple Effect
to uplift the masses. Churches are There were 2.6 million people
emptying. Universities are clogged born between 1960 and 1966, a
with deadwood. We have a society number which will have major
without jobs and what jobs there are, effects on how they and we interact
PAUL MARSHALL
are jobs without future. Gen-X and live. We think of it as a hard
GEB VERBURG
means living in this world that is packed path on which 2.6 million
shoulder-deep in debt and deadly people are trying to travel. We both
When we think about a ripple polluted by earlier generations that remember growing up on farms,
effect we possibly think of some- do not appear to worry about either where there were tractor paths
thing or someone having the power and do not need to, during their around the farm which our dads just
to make a change that affects the lifetime. forgot about when it came to plant-
masses. Wars can have ripple effects That is how Geb sees Gen-X’s ing because the ground was so hard
and so can births. This issue features inheritance and it is indeed not an packed, they knew that it was unwise
articles about a generation of people enviable one. Futurelessness. In the to try to produce a crop on that soil.
born in a relatively short span of words of Douglas Coupland, author Gen-X’ers do not even have that
time, one of the lesser known rip- of the book that bears the title choice; their whole world is a
ples, a phenomenon that could be Generation X: Tales for an Acceler- tractorpath packed down by the first
called “the late boomers”. Welcome ated Culture (1991): “Our systems waves of baby boomers. They have
to our September Issue of Commu- had stopped working, jammed with very little choice and there is no
nicating Together. In addition to the odor of copy machines, white- room for those individuals who
discussing the generation born would benefit from more freedom to
out, the smell of bond paper, and the
between 1960 to 1966 which has endless stress of pointless jobs done develop their own horizons. The
been labelled Generation X, we are grudgingly to little applause.” boomers have stamped the footpath
including several articles which we Coupland says about parents: “I want of life down so hard that it becomes
were unable to include in our June to tell them that I envy their difficult for Gen-Xers to plant and
and March issues, due to space upbringings that were so free of nurture new plants — new hopes,
limitations. Family related articles futurelessness. And I want to throttle dreams, visions and new beginnings.
are evident in the Teaching and them for blithely handing over the We are living in an age where many
Learning section which features world to us like so much skid- countries are shoulder deep in debt
Victor Valentic’s survey for parents, marked underwear. and the general public appears not to
in Shirley McNaughton’s Perspec- worry about the coming generations
In their book, Boom, Bust and
tive as she looks back on two special Echo: How to Profit from the Com- because they either don’t fully
birthday parties and in Alda ing Demographic Shift (1996), David appreciate the threat or don’t see it as
Stepran’s article re families and K. Foot with Daniel Stoffman look at a danger to themselves. As you well
parenting in Latvia. the generations from a numeric and know both of us are persons who
As well as pinning down Genera- believe there always is room to
economic perspective. Gen-X, for
tion-Xers by the facile expedient of a create a life of quality, if one really
them, is the tail end of the Baby
set of dates and a population cohort Boomers who because of the acci- wants it. Our fear is that we are
of a certain size and (questionable) dent of having been born at the end dwelling too much on how Genera-
purchasing power, we want to rather than at the beginning of a tion-Xers have it so difficult and it is
portray what we see as GenXistence, massive postwar birth wave, find blinding us to the many alternative
the worldview of a generation that to ways to be a happy contributor in our
resources stretched to the utter limit,
us is more telling than the stats. The jobs scarce, house prices plateauing community. Sure, from a demo-
literal age range is from 30 to 36; the graphic and a sociological view
just out of reach, with the looming
effective range begins at 15. The obligation of having to pay for the point, the perspective of Foot and
world has become a shrinking, retirement of the earlier and more Stoffman, we can learn a lot about
budget cutting, downsizing universe. well-off boomers. forecasting the needs of our commu-
nN COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996
nities. As Generation-Xers go and touches all of us. Nola stated that We would like to wish our
through their life stages, pursue an she wonders if other AAC users and/ newest editor, Tracy Shepherd, all
education, get jobs, get married, or disabled people experience the the very best in her new life follow-
have families, and grow old, they same feelings as the person of Gen-X. ing her marriage in September. We
will have to fight the packed earth of Is Generation X a global thing that greatly appreciate the gifts that
their oft trodden world and will have goes beyond any physical limitations Tracy offers to us at Communicat-
to create new ways of living, simply and/or any culture barricades? Our ing Together.
because the old ones are either worn guess is yes. Nola ends her article And we extend a special thanks
out or filled up. with a major question that we agree to Rob Haaf, for establishing
Demographers can predict pretty with her fully in asking. Are we as Communicating Together on the
much what education, employment, professionals and older AAC Users World Wide Web. There are many
housing, health and other needs will giving false hope to young disabled exciting possibilities ahead now
arise at different times as Gen-X’ ers children, or are we training these that we have "ComTog Online"!
age. Why we or they “fail” to “make children how to cope in a world in
it out there” does not just depend on which they might not get a fair ISAAC, 1996
stats or numbers. We believe that shake? Her article is very powerful. Paul was at the International
there are alternatives. Nola appears Suzanne Clancy, in her Perspective, Society for Augmentative and
to have found one such alternative tackles the Gen-X issue straight by Alternative Communication
and suggests a number of other the horns and with the benefit of a (ISAAC) conference, which was
ways in which we could help people historic perspective places Gen-X’s held in Vancouver, British Colum-
who are going through a Gen-X woes on a parallel with the outlook of bia in August. The feeling of a
depression. Geb also is more hope- earlier generations of young people homecoming was very strong, over
ful than usual in his column. We that were exposed to epidemics, the four-day event. It was a time of
hope you will enjoy the perspectives postwar or prewar depression and renewing friendships and entering
on Generation X presented in this their associated hard times. We find into new ones. It also was a time to
issue of Communicating Together. her contribution to be a healthy teach and to learn. Two of the many
We think Nola’s personal testi- antidote to wimpyness, although we highlights were: the Words Plus
mony speaks volumes about a kind do believe that the barriers against Lecture which was given by
of a war that can overtake any which Gen-Xers rail are of a serious Michael Williams and the Don
human spirit in a very short order. and daunting nature. Suzanne, like Johnson Incorporated - ISAAC
When anything comes and puts our Paul, is optimistic regarding the Distinguished Lecture which was
lives and our own identities in opportunities that are simultaneously presented by Janice Light. Words
question, depression and worry available to the Gen-X population. It can’t describe these two wonderful
come in and feed on each other, is true that there is a lot of new lectures. We all were greatly
crushing who we are. It hurts and technology and a totally new (and blessed by the visions and the
the wounds can go unseen for a still relatively untrodden) path overflowing knowledge that these
lifetime. Some just don’t make it (cowpath, tractorpath)— namely the two incredibly gifted individuals
through, still others make it through information highway that is opening gave in their presentations.
but they are very bitter. Slipping up for all Gen-Xers as long as they
into a depression is a very real part can get access to a computer. Shirley References:
of being alive. When our lifestyles McNaughton offers us a reminder of Coupland, D. (1991). Generation X:
are somehow in question, we need the strength to all members that Tales for an Accelerated Culture.
to find a way to nurture new ones comes from a family unit that bonds New York: St. Martin's Press.
and find the inner strength to move together in supporting a person with a
on. Nola was given the support to disability. Foot, D. (1996). Boom Bust &
develop new and different paths for Echo. Toronto: Macfarlane Walter
herself, just like many in the Gen- & Ross. §
eration X group, but it overflows
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996 3
FEATURE
Is it any different for
AAC users? During my worst times I got physi- and “live happily ever after.” Reality
cally sick. I couldn’t keep anything is that jobs are difficult to come by
NOLA MILLIN down. The doctor put me on medi- for someone with my physical needs.
cation to help combat the problem. The only reason I can work at the
The medication helped in the physi- workshop is because there are people
cal sense but I still had to deal with there who provide attendant care.
the emotional level. At that point, I Are we giving false hope to young
thought my life was meaningless. disabled children, especially AAC
All the committees I sat on washed users, by saying a device is the
up due to funding cuts. I wasn’t answer to their problems? The
doing anything with my life. I was answer 1s, I don’t know. My heart
experiencing the feelings of Genera- goes out to people with disabilities
tion X. I had gone to university but who are looking for opportunities to
couldn’t get a job and I was bored. contribute to their society. I know
People would tell me that I had a lot what it’s like to have the desire to be
to offer yet there wasn’t anyone a part of society but not be able to
Nola Millin
taking my offers. My depression find the right place to go. I wish
In preparing to write this article lasted for about four months. At my professionals would train children on
I did some reading about this Gen- worst, I wanted to commit suicide. It how to spend their leisure time
eration X. Most of what I found frustrated me that I was disabled and because one day these children will
described Generation-Xers to have would need help to kill myself! be adults with free time. You can
the feeling of meaninglessness and to Fortunately, | sought help for my feel awfully lonely especially if you
be prone to depression. Those problems and got back on the right live alone like I do. Like the Genera-
characteristic don’t make this gen- track. I have a strong Christian tion X people, I have experienced
eration look too good. Although I belief so that helped. I had to re- meaninglessness and depression.
was born in the last portion of the think how I would spend my free They are not fun things to have gone
Baby Boom era, I think what I have time. Most people would love to through but I’m glad I did. I appre-
gone through this past year is typical have free time but I had too much. ciate the apathy that Generation-Xers
of Generation-Xers. It has made me With help, I managed to figure out have. I think it’s not that their life is
wonder if other AAC users and/or how to use my time wisely. I keep meaningless, it’s that they don’t have
disabled people experience the same active by reading and doing some anything to care about. Individuals
feeling as the people of this genera- new committee work. Since the new with or without disabilities need to
tion. Maybe we are not so different year, I have been employed at a feel needed and have something to
from the “average” individual after workshop for disabled adults. I edit
occupy their time. §
all. their newsletter and do other manual
Up to a few years ago I was in labour jobs. Even though I’m only
Have You Moved?
school part time so my life was working 2 days a week, it’s still
pretty busy. I was either reading, enough to give me something to do.
Please remember to let
doing assignments, or working on an I enjoy the contact with the other
us know your new
essay. After I graduated, I seemed to workers. Having gone through
address. lf possible, send
get involved in a lot of committees. depression and the feeling of life
an address label from a
I travelled to Toronto once a month being meaningless has left me
recent past issue to:
to attend meetings. My life was full wondering how many others have
of activity. Suddenly one day last experienced this or are experiencing Communicating Together
summer, I had nothing to do. People it right now. Suite 215
would probably think that it was a I know in my own life, I was 3-304 Stone Rd. West,
welcomed break. Well, it wasn’t. I raised to believe that once I had my Guelph, Ont.
began to slip into a depression. university degrees I would get a job Canada, N1G 4W4
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996
PERSPECTIVES
A Generation-Xer
side of your personnel desk. Give
Speaks Out! We on the other hand are usually
them a chance to tell you what they
not employed until our post-graduate
think, and if you listen very closely
thesis is complete, with little rel-
PAUL DUNCAN KEEN you may find something that at first
evance in our lives for things like
may seem strange, like an X-ray. But
We thank Paul Keen for giving
family, and a certain amount of
thanks to X-rays consider what we
us permission to reprint a Letter to animosity for anything reflective of
have been able to see — a view into
the Editor which he wrote to The the well-to-do middle-class. Instead
ourselves, a new perspective, and
Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario. We we are thinkers, simply because we
maybe even a future.
appreciate being able to publish the have been given the time to think,
§
perspective of one who expresses SO and along with it the time to become
well the situation of a Generation-Xer. critical. Critical-thinking, or slack-
ing, does not mean we have “figured
I am a so-called Gen-Xer. As it all out”, or are somehow better
such I am over-educated, under- than boomers, yuppies or dinks (dual
employed, misdirected and misun-
income no kids). Rather, because of
derstood. I don’t like being any of high rates of unemployment and the
those things but I especially don’t general lack of meaningful employ-
like the term itself. Generation X is a ment we have been afforded the time COMMUNICATION
marketing term, it’s a media con- to question the very nature of what it OUTLOOK
struct developed to label all twenty- means to be employed, what it
somethings as “unknowns”. I prefer means to be married, or the value of
FOCUSING
the term slacker. Slacker, sometimes such suburban delights as the barbe-
ON
synonymous with Gen-X, is also a cue. This does not mean we are
COMMUNICATION AIDS
media construct but what the term ungrateful, that we are lost, or that &
implies can seem more relevant to we have a chip on our shoulder TECHNIQUES
someone who grew up with the towards the older generation. We
educational stimulation of such kids’ may not want to get an “A” in
COMMUNICATION OUTLOOK
shows as Sesame Street instead of its civilian class but we also don’t all is an international quarterly
mind numbing antecedents like The want to move out to Seattle and do magazine which documents and
Mickey Mouse Fan Club. the grunge thing either. What we do celebrates augmentative and
For those who grew up without want is to begin to apply what we alternative communication.
counting or reading as part of their have thought about, what we have
television diet, the term slacker may questioned in our four years as
imply indifference or even laziness. undergraduates. We want to make To receive a sample issue and
To the friends of monsters however, our contribution to society and to be subscription form, send this ad to:
this term carries with it an air of
productive but first, we need jobs!
COMMUNICATION OUTLOOK
introspection, the profile of someone So, employers, recruiters and
Subscriptions,
who has been given the time to parents alike let’s drive down the
405 Computer Center,
think. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not information superhighway together MichiganState University,
saying that boomers don’t think, but and pretend that you are taking us to East Lansing, MI
growing up they didn’t have the Lucky Day Nursery School once 48824-1042, USA.
same amount of extended leisure more, only this time we’ll drive
time as we did. For the most part, because the CAR-eers of the future
those entering early adulthood in the require someone who can learn,
60s and 70s could expect employ- adapt and what is more important
ment, a family, and a heavy dose of someone who can think.Try to keep
middle-class values soon after gradua- this in mind the next time a Gen-Xer,
tion. That is high school graduation. a slacker, a thinker is on the other
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996 5
Is the Glass Half Empty found knowledge of computers and influence the global village and the
or Half Full? especially the Internet. I am anxious global economy. They have the
to live long and “surf” cyberspace, opportunity to be the first generation
exploring all manner things I could to make really meaningful changes
SUZANNE CLANCY only dream of a year ago. I was in our world, changes based on skill
commenting that the youth of today and knowledge, not on rhetoric and
have almost boundless opportunity violence.
We thank Suzanne Clancy and
to explore the world of knowledge, To me the glass is more than half
Miriam Verburg for providing their
work, and society. They now can full, it is overflowing for Gen-Xers if
perspectives (in words and illustra-
create new ways of doing things, they choose to drink from it.
tion) regarding Generation X.
start their own businesses and
When Paul asked me contribute
some comments for this issue, I
rushed to the local library and bor-
rowed Coupland’s Generation X:
Tales for an Accelerated Culture.
While I found it to be an entertaining
book, I found his opus on the life and
times of the current generation to be
a litany of woes and frustrations,
most of which they lay at the feet of
their parents’ generation. My imme-
diate reaction was: How is it possi-
ble that these Gen-Xers have the
luxury of time and resources to sit
around and complain about their
terrible lack of opportunity and their
diminished future? Just who is
buying the food, clothing, airline
tickets and assorted other goodies
Gen-Xers seem to enjoy? Could it
possibly be that same, previous,
generation — the one they delight in
criticising for leaving them a debt-
ridded, futureless world?
While I do not disagree that Gen-
Xers are facing some very challeng-
ing times, I would remind them that
they are certainly not the first
generation to do so. Many preceding
generations have faced pestilence,
war, economic depression and any
number of assorted other ills and did
so under far less comfortable cir-
cumstances. In fact, just this spring
I was remarking to a colleague that,
for the first time in my life, I wished
I was 15 again. My desire to be Generation X by Miriam Verburg
younger was based on my new
6 COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996
within the latter years of the Baby
What Was So Special?
Celebrating 30ths! Boomer period (1947-1966) in
First, it was a first! As adults, Canada. One might expect to find, at
neither Ann nor Carolyn had been
least among a few of those present,
able to have a large birthday party
some of the attitudes and interests
SHIRLEY McNAUGHTON
before. The difficulty of having a
associated with late Boomers -
venue with space enough to accom- growing up in an overcrowded world
modate more than one person requir-
and seeming to have no choice but to
ing a wheelchair, along with the
“look out for number 1” (Foot,
geographical spread of family
1996).
members were cited as the probable
Not so, with regard to the indi-
reasons. So why a decision for a viduals at these two parties! At each,
party for their thirtieth? They wanted the room had a strong component of
to have a “big” party to celebrate an adults in their thirties and early
important life milestone and they
forties who had learned through the
wanted to share the event with those
years, to care about the feelings and
Ann with her mother Miriam who had made a difference in their needs of others (Ann and Carolyn)
lives. Their joy at being able to
and to look out for a family member
celebrate an important milestone in (siblings). Their ability to care about
First there was Ann Running’s
their life with those who meant the the needs and feelings of others was
thirtieth birthday party last fall!
most to them was very moving. exciting to see. Ann’s and Carolyn’s
Something set this celebration apart!
And who were those people who joy as they greeted their guests
There was a special excitement in
had made a difference? Here is the
demonstrated dramatically how
the room. Now, this should not be
second component to that special much their parents and siblings had
unusual. Birthday parties are ex-
feeling that was so evident at each done for them. And Ann and Carolyn
pected to be fun and a time to cel-
party. At both events, many of those
had benefitted, as well, from the
ebrate. At Ann’s party, however,
attending were family members - mobilizing of resources to meet the
something was different! Then, this
relatives who had assumed a role needs of those with severe speech
spring, my husband Bob and I
with unique responsibilities, as Ann impairments in the early seventies.
attended Carolyn Henry’s thirtieth
and Carolyn were growing up. The The professionals who participated
birthday party. The same excitement
remainder of the guests were profes- in these pioneering projects invested
greeted us as we entered the room.
sionals who had provided many much of themselves in their work
What was it that made the parties of
extras above and beyond their “job and formed strong long term partner-
these two women so special?
descriptions” and who had become ships with family members. When
It was more than the fact that they
friends — bringing the gift of love all these caring people came together
were best friends and were influ-
that friendship bestows.
to celebrate the lives of each of these
enced by each others’ party arrange-
From my vantage point, the
AAC users, the room had to feel
ments. And it was more than a group
parties of Ann and Carolyn provided electrically charged!
of people celebrating a birthday
an opportunity to mingle with people
together. I decided to explore what
who represented the very best of Ann’s Party
brought such joy and vitality to the
their respective generations - as Ann’s party was held at the Guild
parties with Carolyn and Ann and
demonstrated by Ann and Carolyn,
Inn in Scarborough, Ontario, in a
two very important people in their
their parents, their siblings and their pair of rooms that accommodated a
lives. Carolyn, along with her sister
children. With regard to one of the number of round eight-person tables.
Glynis, and Ann with her mother
themes of this issue, Generation X, There was lots of room to move and
Miriam joined me for an evening of
Ann’s and Carolyn’s birth years mix, and Ann was situated right in
reminiscing and reflecting. The
were 1965 and 1966, the final birth the middle, able to meet with guests
following is what we think contrib-
years of Generation X (1960-1966) one at time and to watch and enjoy
uted to the special excitement we all
and the Baby Boomer Generation. the interactions at all the tables. Her
felt at both parties.
The birth years of their siblings were parents were there; although they
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996
generation in the siblings’ new
were divorced many years ago, their families to appreciate the needs and
love for Ann has kept them partners accomplishments of AAC users.
in supporting her. Her two brothers No wonder I felt a special some-
were there with members of their thing in the party rooms! I am
new families. Friends of Ann’s fortunate to frequently interact with
parents who had known her all of her caring professionals, AAC users and
life were there. They had provided their parents who continuously
much emotional support and shared stretch themselves to meet the needs
lots of relaxation times with Miriam of others. On the occasions of Ann’s
as Ann was growing up. The large and Carolyn’s birthday parties,
rooms aowed her to have four guests however, I experienced that extra of
in wheelchairs with no difficulty, and having AAC users, parents and
as well she had many mentors (teach- professionals together for a special
Carolyn and Glynis
ers and therapists) who had shared in event and reinforced by their ex-
Ann’s continuous efforts for learning tended families. Truly memorable
and skill growth through the years. days!
felt the same feeling of warmth and
Ann was surrounded by warmth and If you are lucky enough to be
caring throughout the room as
caring and everyone in the room invited to the birthday party of an
Carolyn greeted her guests and
could feel it! As Ann reflected on her AAC friend, do your utmost to
enjoyed her special event. There’s
party, her thoughts went immediately attend. You will meet the nicest
something about the guest of honour
to those who were not there — her people!
with sparkling eyes and a happy
grandmother and grandfather, her
smile, sitting in a wheelchair sur-
good friend, Susan Odell, and her Foot, D. (1996). Boom, Bust & Echo.
rounded by friends and balloons, and
longtime friend, Andrew Murphy, all Toronto: Macfarlane Walter & Ross.
dressed in her party-best that gives
of whom had passed away in recent
§
the occasion special meaning. This is
years and were greatly missed by
how it was for both Ann’s and
Ann. During an occasion like her
Carolyn’s celebrations.
thirtieth birthday, she felt they were
with her as well, but “in her head”’.
Reflecting on the Parties
In talking about my observations
Carolyn’s Party
with Ann, Carolyn, Miriam and
Carolyn’s party was held in a
Glynis afterward, I asked them what
hospitality suite at a Radisson Hotel
they felt had contributed to the
in North York. The size was just
special atmosphere at the party and
right to accommodate both Carolyn’s
how growing up with an AAC user
and Ann’s wheelchairs, Carolyn’s
affects families. This is how they
parents, her sister and two of her
responded: It makes the family
three brothers and their children, her
members closer and the family unit
uncle and his family and a few
stronger. Brothers are very protective
friends from her school days. It was
but still tease! Regarding communi-
her sister, Glynis who helped
cation, all members understand -
Carolyn plan and host the party. Ever
even the dog! As adults, siblings are
since Carolyn moved to Toronto
sensitive to hiring practices and
from Cornwall, in 1982, she and Ann and Carolyn
support the hiring of persons with
Glynis have had a close relationship.
disabilities; they have a greater
It was fun to see the young nieces
awareness of needs of others. All
and nephews gathering around
family members are helping the next
Carolyn to see her new Lightwriter. I
8 COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996
CONSUMING TECHNOLOGY
ComTog Online
ROBERT HAAF
A Publication of Sharing to Learn
Sharingt o Learn Communicating Together | STL Publications | Related Links | Email Ue!
‘ContTog Online
Rob Haaf Check us out at: http://www.ahs.uwo.ca/orcn/assoc/comtog
Well, the time has finally ar-
advantage of an electronic magazine Ultimately, the site is intended to
rived! By the time you read this, the
is that it can allow individuals with both increase interest and exposure
first “draft” of Communicating
disabilities, many of whom already to the magazine and to accommo-
Together’s site on the World Wide
use adaptive technology to access date ComTog subscribers. There-
Web will be up and running. The
computers, to have more independent fore, a table of contents and sample
site is designed to be as “access-
access to material such as ComTog. articles from a recent issue will be
friendly” as possible, so while the
The electronic magazine is offered available at the site, to give “surf-
pages contain many photos and
in a text-only format (to accommo- ers” a better idea of what ComTog
graphics, text-based versions of each
date screen readers for the visually is all about. The complete elec-
page are immediately available to
impaired) and in Portable Document tronic magazine, however, will be
accommodate those with visual
Format (PDF), an electronic publish- protected, so that only those with a
impairments who may use screen
ing standard that preserves the password (1.e., subscribers) can
reader software. At the site, you can
magazine format (with text, graphics open and read the file. Having said
see and read about the editors and
and other media) and is readable on this, the September and December
contributors, and even email those any computer platform. More details 1996 issues will not be password-
of us who are “wired”, to make
about PDF, the free PDF reader protected, so anyone can download
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magazine or a specific article.
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Like many Web sites, “ComTog Online” page at the Web While you’r e exploring the site,
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exposure to the magazine for a
though, that the PDF reader program going significant development and
worldwide audience. More than that, can currently be accessed using any expansion. We hope to offer links
the site allows anyone to subscribe
adaptive equipment that allows to many other sites devoted to
to the magazine online, and to mouse emulation, and efforts are AAC and disability issues, and to
download the entire contents of the
currently underway to provide expand the site to include informa-
most recent issue (complete with
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Ke:nx, IntelliKeys, ClickIt). When any comments, please drop us an
future, back issues of the magazine
this software is completed, it will be email from the site. Have fun, and let
will also be available to subscribers
available for downloading at the us know what you think!
for downloading. One significant
ComTog Web site. §
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996 9
Paul's Place
The Impact of
As I was growing up, when I was population — which they are in
Generation X upon
out shopping or just out with my Canada — we had better be ready to
the AAC Community family, I always got those stares (you provide housing, access, and the
know as if I was more handsome equal opportunities and responsi-
than my two older brothers!). People bilities that come out of being
PAUL MARSHALL looked at me as the “poor boy” who mainstreamed in the education
might not have a very good lifestyle system.
of his own. More than likely, they There is no doubt in the late 80’s
just couldn’t comprehend the effect and the early 90’s we began to see
that would take place in the late 60’s the nonspeaking individual really
to the early 70’s. In Canada the starting to integrate in the everyday
government couldn’t keep open the life. As we face funding cuts here in
large institutions that housed many Ontario and I am sure it is happen-
disabled people. This had a major ing worldwide, we are going back
effect in getting our society’s eyes to seeing less integration generally.
pulled wide open to realize that they When we think of the nonspeaking
had a responsibility to care and start society, we must realize that when it
integrating the disabled individual. It comes to having visions of what
is my own feeling that because of the will be needed ten years down the
Paul Marshall
deinstitutionalization and a very high road, and to having advocating
likelihood of the birt of babies who skills within its members, these are
What impact has Generation had special needs in the Generation very hard to come by. We don’t
X made upon handicapped people X era that we saw better services have a volume of “voices” to lobby
and especially on the augmentative developed. in government to keep services in
and alternative communication These two events taking place place. Others have, and they are
communities? We know a lot radically changed how our society lobbying on our behalf, but the
about the force that this event had, viewed anyone with a disability. people and their families who could
and has, upon the mainstream There was a great movement to get benefit from these services, are so
society. But it is my feeling we services in place that provided busy trying to meet their own daily
possibly know very little about the people with special needs with the needs that they don’t have the
bearing it has had on the handi- access to the education systems and options of developing visions for
capped society. Other than my countless other resources in the long term planning and lobbying for
own thoughts and reflections, I community. Today, we are providing these badly needed services.
have no additional data or facts on normal schooling to people with We badly need visionaries from
what I am going to share with you. disabilities, making the distance the general group of Generation X
I was born in 1963, which makes between being segregated and to come and join with us and be
me a Gen-Xer. In the 60’s the integrated much narrower. In the last our voices. We need individuals
western world was just at the stage 30 or 40 years we have gone from who are willing to “jump off the
where the hope of integrating total segregation to total bridge” and are willing to develop
anybody with a handicap was just mainstreaming. Is this good? Are we their “wings” as they fall. Isn’t this
starting to occur. It was a time creating false hope and expectations an ageless creed of being alive? We
when our society was changing in the education systems, or are we seem sometimes to be moving away
from having a closed view on any just providing the disabled person from teaching our future genera-
form of integration to a more open with the same options as the “nor- tions to be compassionate and
view of having “disabilities” being mal” Gen-Xers. If our society 1s caring people. It’s time to reflect
seen in the community. mandating equal education to our and step out and start to develop
“wings” for others! §
10 COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 13, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1996
