About Glenda Watson Hyatt
Glenda’s Contact Info
Email: Glenda@BooksbyGlenda.com
Skype: glenda.watson.hyatt (text chat only, please)
Narrative Bio
Resulting from a lack of oxygen at birth, Glenda has cerebral palsy, mostly affecting her muscle coordination, balance and speech. However, labeled as functionally nonverbal and using a wheelchair for mobility hasn’t prevented Glenda from living her life to the fullest. Raised without the word can’t allowed, only try, her parents made a conscious effort to introduce Glenda to the world and the world to Glenda. As a family with her three younger brothers, they went to parades, camping, snowshoeing (with Glenda in a sled, wrapped in a rescue blanket to stay warm) and any other outings her parents could afford.
She began her school years in a small Special Education class, with much class time missed due to physical, occupational and speech therapy. Beginning in Grade Four, she was integrated part-time into a regular classroom, long before mainstream was a buzzword. By Grade Seven, she was ready for the regular class full-time. Grade Eight found her attending the neighbourhood high school with a full-time aide. Within a few months the aide was not needed and, except for classmates volunteering to be note-takers, Glenda flew solo through her remaining high school years. Through determination, perseverance, and sheer stubbornness, this I’ll-do-it-myself girl kept up with the regular academic curriculum, including Algebra Honours, by laboriously typing with only her left thumb on an electric typewriter. Along the way, she also earned her Canada Cord, the highest award in Girl Guides; won a gold medal in horseback riding; and was presented with the Outstanding Junior Student Award in Grade 10.
After attending an international camp in Finland and spending a couple years taking Certified General Accountant courses by correspondence, which proved not to be satisfactorily stimulating, Glenda continued onto Simon Fraser University. Living in residence, with a roommate the first semester, and then completely on her own, except for a homemaker four hours once a week to assist with basic cleaning and such, which was more of a hassle than a help at times. She used pre-typed notes, which she dubbed her talking papers, as her means of communication with her professors and teaching assistants. Taking one or two courses per semester because of the sheer workload, three semesters per year with only one summer off, Glenda finally completed her Bachelor of Arts degree after seven long years.
Now she is married to a wonderful man Darrell who also has cerebral palsy, making life that much more interesting. Together they struggle to find employers and business clients who see beyond their disabilities to see their skills, talents and God-given gifts. Their ambitions are as normal as any couple’s: pay off the mortgage, travel and save for retirement.
Virtual Writing Portfolio
Winter 2006. CAPTCHA: The FAQs, AccessibleContent Magazine. Vol. 2, Issue 1.
Fall 2005. More Than a Set of Rules: Consider Human and Social Factors Alongside Technical Guidelines, AccessibleContent Magazine. Vol. 1, Issue 3.
Fall 2005. What is in a word? The evolution of disability language, SPARC BC News.
Summer 2005. The Archive Dilemma: What to do with Legacy PDF Files, AccessibleContent Magazine. Vol. 1, Issue 2.
Summer 2005. What is Web accessibility?: Making a nebulous concept more concrete, SPARC BC News.
Spring 2005. Validating a Vendor: Evaluating Claims of Accessibility Expertise, AccessibleContent Magazine. Vol. 1, Issue 2. Preview Issue.
October 2003. How to Get the Most Out of Career Services as a College Senior With a Disability, eSight Careers Network.
* Ranked #2 on the Top Ten most-read resources for that week.
June 2003. The Slippery Slope of Credit Card Debt, eSight Careers Network.
April 2003. Make Your Company’s Intranet Accessible to Employees With Disabilities, eSight Careers Network.
December 2002. Saving for Retirement When You Are in Business for Yourself, eSight Careers Network.
2002. Accessible Online Labour Market Information: A Guide for Developers, Ministry of Advanced Education and Human Resources Development Canada, BC/Yukon Region. (with CS/RESORS Consulting and IAM CARES)
July 2002. The Duty to Accommodate Workers With Disabilities in the Unionized Sector, eSight Careers Network.
2002. Simplified Web Accessibility Guide, Ministry of Advanced Education and Human Resources Development Canada, BC/Yukon Region.
Winter 2001-2002. Say What?: Effectively Communicating with Clients with Speech Disabilities, Contact Point Bulletin. Vol. 5, number 3.
April 2001. Improving Access To Government Web Sites For People With Disabilities, British Columbia Government Policy and Communications Office.
Press Releases
January 12, 2007. Vancouver’s Weather Housebounds Disabled Couple: Married couple with cerebral palsy uses the internet to generate income while stuck inside due to weather.
August 4, 2006. Canadian Author Wins $12,000 Marketing Makeover.
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