California Rehabilitation Institute’s Post

Accessibility and Inclusion isn't always about big organisations making huge changes. Sometimes it is individuals doing small things to bring happiness. So much love and respect for Ricardo and Skate Anima. #accessibility #AccessibilityInclusion #inclusion #disability #DisabilityInclusion

Channel 4 highlights how the conversation around disabilities have changed https://lnkd.in/eeJev4Vf

One of the main goals of our CSR For Parasport project is to make good practices related to the investment in parasport visible to the general public. Please welcome our fourth and final summary of good practices, which comes from SLOVAKIA! 22 parasports are present in Slovakia, including team sports, which require strong partners, also from the business side. Kaufland significantly supports para-hockey, which is an emerging team sport in Slovakia, also in the para division. For even more good practices watch the video at the following link: https://lnkd.in/dzt2g_cf #csrforparasport Institut za društveno odgovorno poslovanje - The Croatian Institute for CSR Magyar Paralimpiai Csapat Paraolimpijac Šport invalidov Slovenský paralympijský výbor #csr #csr4parasport #parasport #inclusivity #inclusive #equality #integrity *Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessary reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode, We discuss our in depth conversations around disability accessibility, PROWAG, Motion picture & entertainment fields and the 2028 Olympics & Paralympics in LA. It was long days but great conversations. Ready to head back east to continue the work. #RAMPisinclusion #RAMPredbag #ADA33 #betheIDEA #TinaTables #unapologeticallyme #accessibilitymatters #inclusionmatters #wheellife #SpinalCordInjury

Well Channel 4 has done it again - resetting the bar in #authenticrepresentation and digging into the harmful tropes that keep parasport (and disability in general) from achieving parity with the Olympics. I cannot speak highly enough of the team at Channel 4 and their efforts to mainstream disability in all of their programming. This is an example to follow for any company that is truly invested in disability inclusion - there is no summit of this mountain, no end of the road. No 100% scores and no perfection. Disability inclusion in business is, like any other go-to-market strategy, an exercise in humility and constant progress. Brands such as Channel 4 who are able to recognise the improvements they can make and act upon them - and own that imperfection - should be celebrated. Accountability and transparency cultivate trust and recognition within the #disabilitycommunity. #disabilityinclusion the Valuable 500

Global Disability Inclusion, LLC is currently highlighting some of the companies that are supporting the Paralympic Games. These companies have also created marketing communications campaigns that feature people with disabilities. It’s not surprising that Toyota Motor Corporation is on the list. Toyota has created some exceptional commercials in the past few years, including a memorable 2021 ad that featured U.S. Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long. (I will include some examples of Toyota’s ads in the comments section.) As I learned in the Diversity and Inclusion in IMC course at West Virginia University, marketing communications campaigns that feature people with disabilities are not that common. In fact, in 2021, Nielsen reported that while about a quarter of Americans had a disability, people with disabilities were featured in only about one percent of primetime TV ads at the time. (I will also include a link to this research in the comments section.)  This is something that needs to change. The Nielsen article explains that including people with disabilities in marketing communications campaigns can positively impact the business. However, the article also emphasizes the importance of portraying individuals with disabilities authentically. If you get a chance, you might want to check out some of the other examples that Global Disability Inclusion is sharing this week. Note: I used AI to help write this post. I wrote the first draft and then improved it using ChatGPT and Grammarly.

Are you watching the Paralympic Games? Are you inspired? We should all be inspired by the extraordinary athleticism of our Para-athletes. However we need to also be mindful that we aren't using images or footage of disabled people to make ourselves feel better about our own lives. When we look at images of disabled people and objectify them, it is known as "Inspiration Porn", a term coined by remarkable disability advocate, Stella Young. It happens when non disabled people look at disabled people and think or say 'well at least my life isn't that bad' or 'if they can do it with no legs then I can definitely do it'. These ideas and statements signify the comparison between disabled and non disabled people and reiterate this idea that disability is a bad thing, and disabled people lead mediocre lives. I'm here to tell you that my disability is not bad. It is a beatiful part of my existence. When you look at me, by all means be inspired by my achievements, but don't be inspired by the fact I can achieve day to day tasks like mopping my floors. That is not inspiring. Simply living with disability is not inspiring or remarkable. Living with disability is part of the human existence. So let's get back to marveling at the elite athletes currently competing at the Paralympic Games! International Paralympic Committee #inspirationporn #disabilityawareness #disabledisnotbad #imnotyourinspiration In this video I was interviewed by Lauren Orrell for Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia, this is an edited version of the full episode also featuring Madeleine Stewart, comedian and producer & fellow Australian Paralympian Carlie Beattie

So far in 2024...   1. Leading law firm fails to provide reasonable accommodations for a colleague who has depression and long covid. 2. Large retailer discriminates against a blind Paralympian by asking her to leave the store with her guide dog. 3. Construction sales company fails to provide accommodations to a staff member who had a brain tumour and hearing loss. 4. National bus company ‘publicly humiliates a passenger’ by refusing to let him board with his guide dog.   According to Eoin O'Neill director of legal services for the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland “Last year we as a commission found that 48% of all enquiries coming to our discrimination advice line related to #disability discrimination and a very large percentage of those related to the lack of reasonable adjustments in the workforce,"   In both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland we are seeing a significant increase in claims of disability discrimination. In the Republic, these claims come under both the Equal Status Acts as well as the Employment Equality Acts. Whether it’s service provision or employment equality the vast majority of claims of disability discrimination in Ireland relate to a lack of provision of reasonable accommodations.   Why is this? We believe it's because managers and business owners simply are not aware of their obligations to provide reasonable accommodations.   The reality is that disabled colleagues, jobseekers and service users aren’t more litigious that those without disabilities. What they are is a diverse group of people who are increasingly highlighting their right to equality. During our disability awareness training programmes we call this ‘the rising tide of rights recognition’.     Discrimination in Ireland rarely is intentional or premeditated.   But that’s not to say it doesn’t happen every day.   So, if you are a Team Lead, a Manager, HR Professional or business owner, what can you do to be more inclusive?   1. Learn about the importance of Reasonable Accommodation 2. Have a clear Reasonable Accommodation Process 3. Have a Reasonable Accommodation Policy which is available to all colleagues (not just HR & management)   4. Train managers and HR teams in disability awareness and reasonable accommodation.   Your staff will benefit. Your managers will benefit. Your customers will benefit.   And you’ll be much less likely to be a headline in the Irish Independent...   Ability Focus is the only organisation in Ireland who deliver Reasonable Accommodation Training and provide reasonable accommodation consultancy services. Our programmes are increasingly being completed by government departments, state bodies, professional services firms, retailers and multinationals. To find out more about our programmes get in touch on (01) 699 1150 or email info@bilityfocus.ie Alternatively contact Stephen Kelly here on LinkedIn

🏎️ Share Your Experiences Of Accessing Motorsport Venues 🏎️ Motorsport UK is working with Nimbus Disability and the Motorsport UK Disability and Accessibility Committee to understand the experiences of disabled people at motorsport venues, with the ultimate aim of removing as many barriers to participation as possible. As part of this work, Motorsport UK and Nimbus Disability are launching a survey and running a series of focus groups to understand the challenges disabled people face when at motorsport venues, in their capacity as competitors, volunteers or spectators. Focusing on the experiences of those with physical disabilities and the neurodiverse motorsport community, the information gathered will be used to work with motorsport venues and offer advice and guidance to support access requirements. Have your say here - https://lnkd.in/ewsiqY8X #AD #NimbusDisability #AccessCard #MotorsportUK #MotorsportVenues #Accessibility #Survey #HaveYourSay #Neurodiverse #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityCommunity

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀! The Paralympic Games and national competitions have been a testament to their incredible talent and unwavering determination. Programmes like those offered by the South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) provide crucial platforms for these athletes to compete and excel. Did you know? According to the International Paralympic Committee, South Africa has consistently produced some of the world's top Paralympic athletes! This proves that with the right support and opportunities, young people with disabilities can achieve greatness. Sport is more than just physical activity. It promotes overall well-being by: Building physical health, boosting self-esteem, and encouraging social inclusion. The Western Cape Association of Persons with Disabilities (WCAPD) is proud to support the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life, including sports! We're committed to advocating for programmes and opportunities that empower young athletes with disabilities to reach their full potential. #wcapd | #YouthMonth | #personswithdisabilities | #contactus | #youthsports | www.wcapd.org.za | #SASAPD