Rock Steady Blog

By Michael Rock As the importance of diversity in media is increasingly recognized, there are still challenges regarding representation of people with disabilities. About 15% of the global population has a disability. This segment is more likely to live in poverty and experience social exclusion than those without disabilities. Proper media representation can play a […]

By Michael Rock Despite the prestige of a college degree in an increasingly competitive job market, college students with disabilities are faced with a number of disadvantages compared to their peers without disabilities. According to current laws, colleges and universities are not required to offer the same supports for students with disabilities as schools are. […]

By Michael Rock Despite the need for people with disabilities to access mass transit, many of the current options are inadequate for them. Despite the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, various forms of public transportation currently pose challenges for this key demographic. Specialized paratransit is limited in some […]

By Michael Rock In the United States, there are few skills as commonly associated with independence and autonomy as the ability to drive a car. Unfortunately, numerous structural obstacles, such as impairments in learning and decision-making as well as the prevalence of vehicles that are not accessible to drivers with physical disabilities, can make learning […]

By Michael Rock Dating in this day and age isn’t easy. Having a disability makes it even more of a challenge. According to one study, not only do people with disabilities tend to start dating later than most people, but only 24.4 out of 1,000 Americans with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 49 […]

By Michael Rock There are many benefits to playing sports. They can promote physical health and fitness as well as social and leadership skills. Unfortunately, common perceptions of people with disabilities, such as that they are “weak” or “incapable”, can make it harder for people with disabilities to participate and excel in them. Fortunately, there […]

By Michael Rock For most families, eating out at a restaurant is a relatively simple and enjoyable pastime. However, when family members have autism, a trip to the restaurant can be a much more challenging ordeal. Whether it’s specialized dietary needs, sensory overload, or the fear of being judged by other diners, numerous things can […]

By Michael Rock Despite the centrality of meaningful employment to thrive in our society, people with disabilities experience various obstacles to contributing their talents to the workforce. At about 20% of the population, people with disabilities are the largest marginalized group in the United States. Despite their size and diversity, they still experience significantly higher […]