Last July 22, I had the opportunity to represent FlexPaths as a Gold Level Sponsor, along with CVS Caremark & KMPG, at the second annual Disability Matters Conference held at General Motors Corporation’s global headquarters in Detroit, MI.  Announced by Springboard Consulting LLC and Work Life Matters magazine, the conference was held in conjunction with the national celebration of the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nadine Vogel, Springboard Consulting’s CEO extended the invitation (I know Nadine for what is seems like forever from our MetLife days).

The event honors select companies that have made contributions in work/life, diversity and marketing initiatives related to people with disabilities and their families. Companies honoring and attending, to name a few, included Microtel, Verizon Communications, McDonalds, Walgreens, KPMG, and CVS Caremark.

In kicking off 2009 and challenging myself about what additive value my company, FlexPaths, will bring to the marketplace in 2009 – to both corporations and individuals – I thought about that conference.  I thought about the attendees – those work/life, diversity and marketing representatives and the important work they are looking to do to support their special needs employees and their families.  And, how flexibility could help them further the cause.

In fact, these companies and representatives are charged with advocating and supporting this important segment.  These people are fully entrenched in policies, procedures, legalities.  While I don’t understand the day to day intricacies around these specific policies, I do know that integrating a company’s ‘flex position’ and its respective flexible work policies, procedures, communication supports the cause.

After all, isn’t it fairly obvious to assume that people with special needs or dependents that do, have an added dynamic that weighs on their work/life equation?  In fact, where they work can make a huge difference.  Travel to or from a job site at a slightly different time. Work from home one day a week to accommodate a therapy appointment on a certain date/time in the week.  Why not ensure that the flex discussion and related information is ‘out there?’  Well for one thing, for some company cultures, flexiphopia exists - it isn’t the right time, it’s too hard to administer, everyone will want it, etc., etc., etc.

Here is where I take pause and think about the incredible professionals out there who have worked for years, added huge value to companies and working differently isn’t a desire, or need, it is a demand.  I thought about good friends of my husband and mine, Robin and Eric, who have two daughters, Jillian, 8 and Abby, 6. Abby has Rett Syndrome.

Rett syndrome is the only autism spectrum disorder with a known genetic cause. It is often misdiagnosed as autism or cerebral palsy. Rett Syndrome strikes without warning. The girl with Rett syndrome starts out as a happy, healthy baby until 6-18 months of life. Then something goes terribly wrong. She loses the ability to speak. She can't use her hands to play with toys, feed herself or wave hello. She may lose the ability to walk; she makes constant hand washing or hand wringing movements. By the time she is 3 years old, the girl with Rett syndrome is severely handicapped. There is no cure.

In talking with Robin, she explained that having a child with special needs presents a whole host of issues she never would have imagined she would have to deal with.  In addition to all of the responsibilities that come along with being a parent, having a child with special needs increases those responsibilities significantly.  Robin is fortunate to have a job as an accountant at a biopharmaceutical company where she works two and a half days a week.  The days are set, but she can change them around as needed.  Flexible arrangements are beneficial for any parent, but even more so for parents of a disabled child, where doctor appointments, therapies and school meetings take up even more time.

Imagine, a mom taking comfort in not having to make a choice between her job and caring for her child.