I am the co-founder of the International Rehabilitation Forum, a nonprofit that focuses on maximizing the independence and leadership of all persons with physical limitations. In addition, I have worked with the Portland Bureau of Transportation on accessibility issues.

Before my time with PBOT, I spent a decade traveling the world filming documentary and training films on accessibility topics. I embedded myself in disability communities in Albania, Bangladesh, France, Ghana, India, Nepal and Senegal. And since my accident here in Portland in 1996, I’ve visited most of the major US cities from the seat of my wheelchair.

I can report with a great deal of certainty that as far as disability awareness and accommodation, Portland Oregon is the best disability city in the world. Our transportation system is second to none. Even more important, our businesses embrace inclusion. Instead of trying to escape ADA regulations on non-existent grandfather clauses, they have made tremendous adaptations to accommodate us. We are a global model of excellence that should be copied all around the world.

But being a global leader has its responsibilities. Portland needs to stay on the cutting edge of disability awareness. That means increased awareness and accommodation of invisible, temporary and neuro-divergent disabilities. It’s easy to look at me and see the obstacles. I’m the guy in the wheelchair – I’m the symbol on the parking spots – and people are overwhelmingly helpful.

But when your disability is not visible, the discrimination is much more prevalent. How many incredible talents are we missing because we don’t invite differences. We don’t know how to interview someone on the autism spectrum; someone with social anxiety; a dyslexic who made a mistake on their resume.

It’s the new frontier. But knowing the character of this city, I am confident we will attack these issues with the same foresight and enthusiasm we have towards physical disabilities. This proclamation and the Model Employer Strategic Plan it mentions are critical factors in the city’s continuing leadership. They are rolling in the right direction.