Why Apostrophe?

We’ve been asked that more than once. In response we usually deliver our standard mission statement/elevator speech: We want to show people how they can eliminate the apostrophes — can’t and don’t and shouldn’t — in their lives. If we had another purpose it would be to educate the public. It turns out the public needs a lot of educating.

A troubling story came to us recently that shows just how unaware many Americans are of people with developmental disabilities and the issues they face. Disability Scoop.com reports on a survey of nearly 400 Georgia residents commissioned by the George Council on Developmental Disabilities last year.

The findings?

Only a third of the people surveyed said they encounter people with developmental disabilities in their daily lives. Many expressed doubts about the abilities of people in this group.

Only a quarter of the respondents said they thought people with developmental disabilities were likely to have jobs with advancement opportunities. More than half said kids with developmental disabilities would fare better if they were segregated — rather than mainstreamed — in school.

The stigma is real.

“Persons with developmental disabilities and their issues are still somewhat invisible to everyday society,” says Eric Jacobson, executive director, GCDD. “There is still a lot of education to be done among the general public, and the best way for that to happen is to create a society that better integrates persons with disabilities in our schools, workforce and community.”

Hear! Hear! But that’s easier said than done.

At Apostrophe we’re doing our small part to educate, inform and include. The Winter 2011 issue features strong contributions by three people with disabilities.

As always, forget can’t and don’t. Think can and do.