Disabilities as Asset in Workplace

Many people know of Berkeley, Calif., as the birthplace, in the 1960’s, of the Free Speech Movement. Fewer people know that Berkeley also played a major role in the disability rights movement. It was here, also in the ’60s, that Ed Roberts — a student with quadriplegia — became an outspoken advocate of the cause.

I became aware of this after being invited to give a lecture for the Disabled Students’ Program at the University of California. I was delighted and, of course, flattered, but I was also nervous.