American Association of People with Disabilities’ Post

Did you know that July marks Disability Pride Month? We are proud to stand with the disabled community, advocating for inclusion, accessibility, and equality. Public Health England outline that disabled people make up a significant minority within England: one in five of the population are disabled. They also state that disabled people experience disproportionately higher rates of domestic abuse. Not only do disabled people experience higher rates of #DomesticAbuse, but they also experience more barriers to accessing support, such as health and social care services and domestic abuse services. Disabled people also experience domestic abuse for longer periods of time, and more severe and frequent abuse than non-disabled people. Disability Pride Month is not just about awareness but also about creating a more inclusive world, and more inclusive services, for all. It’s crucial that we carry the energy of Disability Pride Month all year round. How are you marking #DisabilityPrideMonth? Let us know! 

It's fascinating to learn that research from 2014 showed autistic individuals process 42% more information at rest compared to their allistic counterparts. This finding sheds light on why many autistic people might experience sensory overload, difficulty in decision-making, heightened pattern recognition, and unique social interactions. These experiences aren't due to a lack of capability but rather an increased cognitive load from processing so much more information. Statements like "Why are you getting so overwhelmed?" or "It's not that hard, just make a decision" can be incredibly dismissive and frustrating, as they don't take into account the extra cognitive effort that autistic people are constantly putting in. This additional processing can lead to feeling overwhelmed, taking longer to make decisions, and sometimes needing more time to complete tasks or engage in social interactions. Understanding that autistic brains handle a higher volume of information can foster greater empathy and patience. It also highlights the importance of creating environments that consider sensory needs and provide support for decision-making processes. It would be very intriguing to see further research on how autistic individuals process information in more stimulating environments, as this could provide deeper insights into how to better support them in various settings. So next time you notice someone taking their time or seeming overwhelmed, remember that they might just be processing a lot more than you realise. #MTICBIAI #MyTraumaIsChronicButIAmIconic #AutismAwareness #Neurodiversity #SensoryProcessing #AutismAcceptance #AutismUnderstanding #CognitiveLoad #AutisticPride #SensoryOverload #AutismSupport #AutisticVoices #InclusiveSociety #AutismResearch #ProcessingDifference #AutisticStrengths #Neurodivergent

We're now in July which means that it's Disability Pride Month 🎉 What exactly does this month mean? Disability Pride Month happens every year in July to promote awareness about disabled people and the disabled community. It is a month to celebrate each disabled individual’s identity and to be proud of it! Over one billion people around the world identify as having a disability, and they seek and deserve to participate equally in society. This is also a time to consider how we can all make the world more accessible for the disabled community. We encourage you to search the hashtag #DisabilityPrideMonth to explore different experiences of disabled pride, alongside further information, stories, facts and more. You can also seek out Disability Pride Month events to attend throughout July. Reach out to us at Access2Arts if you would like to organise Disability Awareness and Accessibility training, or if you would like to learn more about how you can help make society more accessible: https://lnkd.in/dja_7FZu Happy Disability Pride Month! [Image: a yellow square with centered bold black text saying "Happy Disability Pride Month! July 2024". Around the square's edges are partial colourful circles, some with small black dot patterns overlapping sections of them.] #Access2Arts #HappyDisabilityPrideMonth #NationalDisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilitySouthAustralia #DisabilityFriendly #DisabledPride

Why do we celebrate Disability Pride Month? ⬇️ • To recognize and honor the progress disability activists have made • To acknowledge that there is still a long way to go in the fight for disability rights • To reflect on our own journeys • To quote disability activist Becca Wight, to celebrate “the pride in the ableism you’ve overcome” California Governor Gavin Newsom recently recognized July as Disability Pride Month! Awareness is JUST the beginning, but listening, learning, and taking action is what will bring about collective change Why else do you celebrate Disability Pride Month? Let us know in the comments! #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion

"You're too young to be disabled" 🚩🚩 Disabled people have always been viewed as unequal members of society, and that's why July is disability pride month. Ableism is so heavily ingrained in society that disabled is often viewed as a bad word. 🚩 "Don't label yourself as disabled" 🚩 "Oh but you're not like 'them'" 🚩 "You're just 'differently' abled" 🚩 "But you're not in a wheel chair" Just some of the many comments I have received, and continue to receive when I talk about my disability. Yet people wonder why such a small number of employees disclose their disability in the workplace. This upcoming disability pride month, ask yourself what you can do to support your disabled staff members. What can you do to make them feel included? What can you do to build an inclusive culture? What can you do to ensure that they have the adjustments they need? (I also still have some availability for talks and or workshops during disability pride month, so please message me or email me: charlie@kileyconsulting.co.uk if you're looking for somebody to support your initiatives this July). #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityPride #DisabledEmployee #InclusiveHR #InclusiveWorkplace

Why does this happen? The statement "You're too young to be disabled" is both dismissive and harmful. Here are several critical points to consider: 1. **Misunderstanding of Disability**: Disability is not age-dependent. People of any age can be disabled due to a wide range of physical, mental, and developmental conditions. Associating disability solely with older age overlooks the experiences of countless young people who live with disabilities. 2. **Invalidation of Experiences**: Telling someone they are "too young" to be disabled invalidates their lived experiences and struggles. It implies that their challenges are not real or significant, which can be incredibly discouraging and isolating. 3. **Barrier to Support**: Such statements can discourage young people from seeking the support and accommodations they need. If they are made to feel their condition is not legitimate, they may hesitate to ask for necessary help, leading to further difficulties in education, employment, and daily life. 4. **Reinforcement of Stigma**: This mindset reinforces harmful stereotypes about disability, suggesting that it is something that only happens to older people. It contributes to the stigma surrounding disability and perpetuates a narrow, inaccurate view of who can be disabled. 5. **Lack of Awareness**: This statement reflects a lack of awareness and understanding about the diverse nature of disabilities. Educating oneself about the various forms of disability and how they affect individuals of all ages is crucial in fostering a more inclusive and supportive society. 6. **Emotional Impact**: Being told you're "too young" to be disabled can have a negative emotional impact, leading to feelings of being misunderstood and unsupported. It's important to approach conversations about disability with empathy and an open mind. In conclusion, it is essential to recognise that disability can affect individuals of all ages and to respond with understanding and support rather than dismissiveness. #MTICBIAI #MyTraumaIsChronicButIAmIconic #DisabilityAwareness #YoungAndDisabled #InclusiveSociety #DisabilityRights #EndAbleism #DisabilityAdvocacy #Neurodiversity #ChronicIllness #InvisibleDisability #DisabilitySupport #EmpathyMatters #DiverseAbilities #SupportForAll #DisabilityInclusion #BreakingStigmas

Disabled is NOT a bad word and our stories should NOT be erased! July is Disability Pride Month, it is the time to share our pride: in our successes, our accomplishements, our victories ❤️ It is also the time to highlight our history, our struggles and set backs, and everything that makes our identity ours! If you are not disabled, here is how you do your part this month: - enhance disabled voices - repost educational content you find - challenge ableism around you - start these conversations! If you are disabled, remember: we are not the problem. Systemic ableism is. We will keep fighting for better accessibility all around until society gives us the space that we DESERVE 👏 [#Access image description : design with a disability flag background (black background and red, yellow, white, blue, green rainbow) that reads « disabled is not a bad word, not this month, not ever! Happy disability pride month »] #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityPride #DisabilityAwareness

July is Disability Pride Month, have you heard of it? This month was introduced to celebrate and amplify disability activists, elevate disabled voices, and rally against ableism in all areas of society. It also seeks to change the way we think about and define disability, promoting that it is a natural part of human diversity to be proud of. So let’s celebrate and amplify disabled voices! Let’s call out ableism where we see it in society. And let’s reassess our perceptions of disability. https://lnkd.in/dUbcXYVh

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth, and disability advocates and organizations have launched the Stop Special Campaign! This initiative calls for an end to using the word "special" to describe people with disabilities. Join the movement and visit StopSpecial.org to learn more about their effort, access tools and resources, and take the pledge to spread the word!

DYK the significance of the Disability Pride Flag? Our slider below unpacks the meaning for you & more... Why is this important to understand? B/c its Disability Pride Month and we all have a responsibility to combat ableism. ❗ Ableism - is a form of discrimination that places value on certain abilities over others. It means that bodies and minds are held to a standard based on what is considered "normal" or "able" in society. 💡 Because of ableism, people with disabilities are often isolated, less likely to be able to participate in community activities, and experience a myriad of barriers limiting their access to social, work and community activities. 💡 This can result in fewer job opportunities, lower average incomes, higher poverty rates and financial instability. 📣 To honour Disability Pride, I encourage you to reframe your thinking about Disability. Disability IS diversity. 🤝 Consider the Social Model of Disability which regards disability as resulting from external factors like the environmental barriers and discriminatory attitudes. i.e., People with disabilities are only disabled by the world in which they live in which was not designed to work for them. This changes our thinking and reinforces that it is all of our responsibility and within our power, to build equity and accessibility in our workplaces & beyond. #DisabilityPrideMonth #SocialModelofDisability #DisabilityInclusion #Disability #Equity #Belonging #Inclusion