Recruiting & Retention of Senior Member That Are Handicapped?

[RADIOMAN015]

Recently I met a gentleman at a non CAP meeting that was exhibiting his CAP senior member picture ID card -- which I found to be very strange.  So I basically started a conversation with him BUT found it very difficult to understand him and he basically repeated himself and had significant difficulty in carrying on a logical conversation.  Apparently he had been in the CAP program at a squadron for over 20 years.  Another CAP senior member in that squadron also at the meeting (but not his escort) told me about this gentleman and the things that he was able to accomplish, with assistance, but had a diagnosis of autism.

Now I do realize that under CAPR 36-1, we can't discriminate against anyone with a disability but the regulation (para3b).... "Qualified Member with a Disability" means a CAP member with a disability who, either with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions required by a CAP program or activity that such CAP member desires to participate in without endangering him/herself, other CAP members, or CAP property....".

I think the individual was also in the cadet program BUT, I guess my question is "what is being able to perform the essential functions required by a CAP  program or activity"?
When we have a senior member in the program, don't we expect a certain level of performance to be met & realistically shouldn't each one of our organizational chart positions have a listing essential functions of the volunteer position (or should they be in an unassigned status as far as duty?).  I know the AF has a classification manual for every position that has a description of the position, as well as knowledge, education, training, and medical (physical as well as mental) requirements that have to be met.  Also for upgrading to a higher skill level certain requirements must be met.

I've never seen this guy at a mission or any other function, so perhaps he is just a body on that unit's rooster with no real duties.  Do patron members have picture ID cards now?

By far this is a very difficult subject to talk about because we all can have something happen to us to disable us and still want to serve CAP, but is there a point where someone has to say, we can't use you in an active status or is this a legal landmine that is best left alone
RM     

[lordmonar]

Beyond Level I....there is no requirment for a member to advance in his PD.....and no requirment to actually hold a position in the squadron.....and my extention no need to complete a specialty track.

So....with the caviate that the individual is not a danger to himself, others or the mission......I don't see a problem.

[Ned]

I guess my question is "what is being able to perform the essential functions required by a CAP  program or activity"?   

That is a determination best made by the leader closest to the situation and in a possition to evaluate both the requirements of the position adn the member's performance - the unit commander.

Short of a massive human factors analysis to determine the physical, mental, and ergonomic requirements of every conceivable duty in CAP, it is always going to be the CC's "call."

[James Shaw]

I knew of a similar case in the GAWG and the member was "mentally very young" and physically 40 years old, but their heart more than made up for it. They were good for a "single focus task". They turned out to be the 100% percent best person for that job.

Not that anyone has but I would not discount the possibility of their skills or the value of their worth. Give them a chance and they will probably surprise you.

[Smithsonia]

My group commander is confined to a wheel chair. Fine man. Great volunteer. Love working for him. Smarter than me by a long shot. Gets every job done right. AND, knows regs and paperwork inside and out.

If it wasn't for that last skill set, we'd be just a class of idiots surrounded by half filled CAP forms. Next week he'll run a Unit Commander's course. I am attending. I will come home beat to heck... just trying to keep up with him.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

I am 100% legally disabled.

I am afflicted with major depression and PTSD.  I am not ashamed of it.  I have an illness, no different to heart disease or diabetes.

I have run across many, many self-appointed Sigmund Freuds and Dr. Lauras who have taken it upon themselves to "diagnose" me solely on appearance: "There's nothing wrong with you, you look normal."  My response is similar to the pin I used to see Vietnam Vets wearing years ago: "If you haven't been there shut your mouth."

My squadron CC knows fully of my condition and accepts it.  If he did not, I would immediately look for another squadron.

This is pure speculation, but I wonder how many of those with a similar disability, or like what Radioman described, shy away from CAP (and like organisations) out of fear that, despite official policy (I keep a copy of General Courter's letter on people with disabilities in my notebook), they won't be accepted by the membership.

[Patterson]

I am 100% legally disabled.

I am afflicted with major depression and PTSD.  I am not ashamed of it.  I have an illness, no different to heart disease or diabetes.

Most people are afflicted with something, most will not make it known.  Good job not being ashamed of it.

I have run across many, many self-appointed Sigmund Freuds and Dr. Lauras who have taken it upon themselves to "diagnose" me solely on appearance: "There's nothing wrong with you, you look normal."  My response is similar to the pin I used to see Vietnam Vets wearing years ago: "If you haven't been there shut your mouth."

This is called chicken-hawk. Why do we have to be just like you to understand the condition?  Why do you think you know more about the condition, its treatment, or how it is dealt with by those around you.  Maybe I am married to a woman with depression and PTSD.  Maybe I have been around it all my life.  Please don't throw the "I am only allowed to talk about it" card.  How dare you. 

My squadron CC knows fully of my condition and accepts it.  If he did not, I would immediately look for another squadron.

So everyone needs to accept you?  I have to say just from your post, you come off as a "better than you", "look at me and feel bad about what I suffer with" type person.

I am 100% legally disabled.

Do you start each conversation with that line? 

[manfredvonrichthofen]

Settle down a bit please Patterson, he is just stating that he knows from experience that being disabled doesn't make you less of an asset to CAP. I am also disabled, bad knees, PTSD, shrapnel still in my leg, blind in one eye, and more, does this make a person less of an asset to CAP? No, it doesn't, but a persons disabilities and how they would conflict with a person's duties are best determined by the squadron CC.

Don't anyone be too quick to discount anyone because they have a disability, take the time to hear them out and see how they act and perform tasks, and then assign them a duty according to what they can and can't do. Almost everyone has something they can bring to CAP.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Patterson: Stand down.  You do not have the right to judge me.

Most people are afflicted with something, most will not make it known.  Good job not being ashamed of it.

I do not announce it to the world at large, but neither do I deny it.  It took a lot of time for me to come to accept it myself.

This is called chicken-hawk. Why do we have to be just like you to understand the condition?  Why do you think you know more about the condition, its treatment, or how it is dealt with by those around you.  Maybe I am married to a woman with depression and PTSD.  Maybe I have been around it all my life.  Please don't throw the "I am only allowed to talk about it" card.  How dare you. 

How dare I?  Quite easily.  Ever hear the motto of the British/Australian/New Zealand Special Air Service, "Who Dares Wins?"

I could just as easily call your attitude chicken-something else.  If you can find where I said anyone had to be "just like me," say so.  My point is that I have, throughout my life, had to deal with people unqualified to make diagnoses giving unsolicited opinions on my illness.

So everyone needs to accept you?  I have to say just from your post, you come off as a "better than you", "look at me and feel bad about what I suffer with" type person.

I won't say what you come off as.

If you don't accept me, there's no way I'll try to make you.  That goes for everyone.  But I do reserve the right to not associate with those who ridicule me or attempt to "diagnose" me.  I also reserve the right to refute those who ridicule me, nicely and logically if possible, but to wash my hands of those who refuse to listen.

You are foolish if you actually believe I have the "look at me and feel bad about what I suffer with" attitude you accuse me of.

I am 100% legally disabled.

Do you start each conversation with that line?

Don't be so flaming silly, for crying out loud.  Of course I don't.  I only offered it here because of the title of the thread.

I just thank God that CAP isn't overpopulated with people with your attitude.

My last word on the subject on this board.  If you have a problem with it, PM me.

[Flying Pig]

Dont sweat it Cyborg, I think most of us have your back on this.  I didnt find Cyborgs post the slightest bit off base.  He made the comment about being 100% disabled because it related to his post and the topic.....Disabled members.  Same way I might start out in a thread about cops by saying "Im a LE Officer" because Im saying it to qualify what I am about to say.  You have to admit, me just posting an opinion about cops, vs me saying "Hey, I am one and heres what I think..." has a different impact.

As far as calling him a chicken hawk, again....he was speaking from a point of actually having first hand knowledge.  Im sure If you actually DID have a wife who suffered from PTSD and Depression that could be a different story.  But even then, you arent the one who has it.  He never said you couldnt have an opinion.  He just said he didnt want to hear it from every person who has taken Psych 101.  He didnt say you couldnt have an opinion or even talk to him about it, I got that he was just talking about people trying to tell him to "just get over it" because he looks "normal".  As if PTSD has anything to do with your appeareance.

Him saying that if his Squadron didnt accept him he would look for another one....Ummmm, OK, what is he suppossed to do?  Stand at the door and breath on the glass, OR, go look for another squadron?

[Pylon]

Going to pause this topic for 24 hours to let everyone cool off.  The personal tit-for-tat is not welcome. 


It's a worthwhile discussion, however, because I think there are some great examples being shared here of how members with disabilities have significantly contributed to CAP.  And I think there's more to be shared and learned here.   Let's not forget how CAP got its start with citizens who were, for one reason or another, disqualified or unable to contribute to the war effort through military service.