American Association of People with Disabilities’ Post

This month, we celebrate Disability Pride Month to promote inclusion and raise awareness.   Symbolism of the Disability Pride flag:   🔹 The Black Field: This represents disabled individuals who have lost their lives not only due to their illnesses but also because of negligence, suicide, and eugenics.    🔹 The Lightning Bolt: The shape symbolizes the non-linear lives many disabled people lead, often having to adapt themselves or their paths to navigate an inaccessible society.    🔹 The Colors: Each color on the flag represents a different aspect of disability or impairment:   ✨ Blue: Mental illness   ✨ Yellow: Cognitive and intellectual disabilities   ✨ Green: Sensory perception disabilities   For any support accommodation or core support requests, contact us on: I-Help Disability Services 📞 1300 004 337 📧 info@ihds.com.au 🌐 i-helpdisability.com.au   #disabilitypride #disabilityawareness #disabilityawareness #disabilityrights #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #inclusion #disabilitymelbourne

Learning alongside human rights defenders at the University of York within CAHR (centre for applied human rights) was the highlight of my MA program - so delighted the Protection International guide is being further amplified in this wonderful article! I’ll link the guide below! #DisabilityRights #DisabilityJustice #HumanRights

Disability Pride is just around the corner - it starts in July. Did you know that as a worldwide movement, Disability Pride boasts its own flag? The flag features 5 colours on a black background. Each of the elements has its meaning: ➡ Green symbolizes sensory disabilities like deafness or blindness. ➡ Blue is the symbol of mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. ➡ White represents people with invisible or undiagnosed conditions. ➡ Gold represents individuals with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, including neurodiversity. ➡ Red symbolizes physical disabilities. The black background has its significance, too. Each year, the disability community loses numerous individuals to violence, abuse and negligence. The black colour in the Disability Pride flag is a symbol of the mourning for the people we lost, as well as the rage and protest against the mistreatment of people with disabilities. ♿ Please share this post with your network to raise awareness of Disability Pride! ♿ #DisabilityPride #Inclusion #Belonging #Diversity #Equity

This image has been shared many times over the weekend by advocates, as it should. Regardless of your views, the recent cover of The Economist, depicting a mobility device and questioning ability, is ableism. This kind of imagery perpetuates the old tired myth that someone who uses a mobility device cannot be effective. It shapes public perception on how society values the disabled lived experience. Reminder👇🏼 ✔️ Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of our country’s greatest presidents, led the nation through its toughest times using mobility aids, including a wheelchair. ✔️ Helen Keller was a notable author, activist, and lecturer who was both blind and deaf, co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). ✔️ Judith Heumann was a global disability rights advocate who was instrumental in creating and implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With over a billion disabled people globally, let's not forget that disability is our common ground NOT the thing that separates us. Ableism in media and politics reinforces negative perceptions about people living with disabilities, ultimately leading to policies and a society that neglect, exclude, and limit us. It's time for a change in this outdated narrative because in the end it benefits all of us. 💡 Join in: What are your thoughts on how we can challenge ableism and promote a more inclusive society? #Inclusion #Diversity #Ableism #Leadership #DisabilityAwareness #Disability #RepresentationMatters #Advocacy #TheEconomist #Ableism

One of the ten principles of Disability Justice is intersectionality. Many is the disabled community live at the intersection of being disabled and another marginalized identity. Here’s an excerpt from a blog written by advocate Rasheera Dopson, MPH for The NAMED Advocates where she talks about being Black and disabled and what she wishes she had learned about living at that intersection: “If I would’ve had the foreknowledge of knowing black female leaders before me were able to achieve pioneering feats and overcome insurmountable odds all while having disabilities, I would have boldness and courage quicker– to be able to stand up to the bullies on the playground who made fun of disabilities. I would’ve been able to stand to the school system and tell them myself I was well capable of doing great things even if I was taking special education and remedial class because there were black disabled women like Fannie Lou Hammer who had already defeated the odds. The leadership of Harriet Tubman and Fannie Lou set the precedent that disability should never be a factor in determining anyone’s greatness or capacity.” You can read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/evv8ze-P #DisabilityJustice #Intersectionality #ThoughtLeader #ThoughtLeadership #WomenLeaders #DisabilityRights #DisabilityAdvocate

An interesting and important perspective to consider about disability perception.

Our lived experiences as Black and Brown women with disabilities make us the best people to sit at tables where policies and other disability inclusion discussions are being held. Nothing about us without us, Include us! #DisabilityInclusion #Representtion #ReresentationMatters #DivasWithDisabilities   #AccessiBe #InventWithUsInMind #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #WhenYouSeeUsIncludeUs #DisabilityAdvocacy    #DisabilityAwareness #BlackWomenWithDisabilities #RemoveTheBarriers Image Description:  A peach background graphic with a headshot of Donna R. Walton, a Black woman smiling broadly with long curly black hair wearing red lipstick and a black and white polka dot blouse. The headshot is on a grey background. Text: Take time to listen to the needs and concerns of individuals with disabilities in the Black community and be open to learning from their experiences. Donna R. Walton EdD Founder & President of Divas With Disabilities There’s the accessiBe Logo in blue font below the text.

Inclusivity and equity in the legal profession are essential for true justice. This Disability Pride Month, we celebrate the achievements and resilience of individuals with disabilities. According to census data, about 13% of Americans identify as having a disability, but they are severely underrepresented among lawyers. A 2023 National Association of Law Placement study of 635 law firms found that only 1.99% of lawyers identified as having a disability. However, this is a growing number—up significantly from 0.6% in 2019. We are dedicated to diversifying the appellate bar to reflect the rich tapestry of our nation, including those with disabilities. Our year-long Mentorship Program supports law students of color -- including those with disabilities -- preparing them to become future equity champions for all Americans. These aspiring legal professionals will fight for a more just and accessible legal system, ensuring everyone has a voice and representation. Join us in honoring the disability community and our shared mission to create a more inclusive appellate bar. Together, we can make a difference. #DisabilityPrideMonth #disability #AppellateLinkedIn

Ed Roberts, a leader in the fight for disability rights and a pioneer of the independent living movement. Back in 1962, Ed faced discrimination when UC Berkeley turned him away because of his disability. Instead of backing down, he stood up for his rights, sparking a movement that changed lives worldwide. Facing rejection didn't deter Ed. He took action and founded the Physically Disabled Students Program (PDSP) at UC Berkeley, offering crucial support to students with disabilities. His advocacy didn't stop there; he became a prominent voice for accessibility, equal rights, and inclusion for people with disabilities. In 1975, Ed took a monumental step by establishing the first Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, California. This center set the standard for independent living centers nationwide, promoting self-determination, empowerment, and community support for individuals with disabilities. Ed Roberts' impact endures, inspiring generations of individuals with disabilities. Let's honor his memory and the legacy of the disability rights movement by continuing to champion equal access and empowerment for all. 👉🏼https://lnkd.in/gupgdDyW #edroberts#disabilityrights #independentliving #accessibilityforall #equalrights #inclusionmatters #disabilitysupport #communityempowerment #disabilityadvocacy #selfdetermination #independentlivingcenters #disabilityawareness #empowermentforall #inclusiveeducation #activismlegacy #equalityforall #transforminglives #socialjustice

Today, as part of Deaf/Blind Awareness week, we pay tribute to one of the most remarkable figures in disability advocacy, Helen Keller. Despite being both deaf and blind, she achieved incredible milestones and left a lasting legacy. 6 Things you may not have known about Helen Keller. 1. Early illness: Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing at 19 months old due to an illness, possibly scarlet fever or meningitis. 2. First word: Her first understood word, taught by Anne Sullivan, was "water". She learned how to speak when she was only six months old even though she was born deaf-blind. 3. Academic achievement: Helen Keller was the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating from Radcliffe College in 1904. 4. Author: She authored 14 books and numerous articles, sharing her experiences and advocating for people with disabilities. You can find a list of the books she authored here https://lnkd.in/d2tJ8VQX 5. Traveler: Keller visited 39 countries, meeting with world leaders and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. 6. International impact: Her life story was made into a movie, "The Miracle Worker," which won several Academy Awards. #deafblindawarenessweek #accessibility