Circana Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Post

Mai Thor (BF'21) has long focused her work on disability justice and its intersections with social justice and racial justice movements. As #DisabilityPrideMonth comes to a close — and in honor of the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act — learn more about Thor's work, highlighted recently in MPR News: https://bit.ly/4eZoZy5

Did you know? July is celebrated as Disability Pride Month? Why I am asking this is because there is a lack of representation as well as consideration towards “disability” as an issue. Disability Pride Month commemorates the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, the first legislation in the world to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, and access to services. That same year, Boston held its first pride march. Initially observed in the US, the month resonated globally, fostering solidarity within the disability community. This month is a time for people with disabilities to reflect on their journeys, acknowledging the barriers of inaccessibility, ableism, and discrimination they've overcome. Disability Pride Month is all about acceptance. It encourages us to accept it as one of many identities. It encourages everyone to engage with the disability community, learn its history, and bring disability into mainstream discussions beyond small communities and disabled people. #DisabilityPrideMonth #InclusionMatters #AccessibilityForAll #ADAAnniversary #DisabilityAwareness #RepresentationMatters #BreakingBarriers #CelebrateDiversity #EqualRights #DisabilityCommunity #OvercomingAbleism #DisabilityHistory #Solidarity #Acceptance #DisabilityIdentity

By now I hope you all know that July is Disability Pride Month? #DisabilityPrideMonth But you might not be aware of the flag that represents the disability community, which of course has very special meaning (please see image): 💚 Green represents sensory disabilities 💙 Blue represents physiological disabilities/mental health 🤍 White represents non-visible/undiagnosed disabilities 💛 Gold represents neurodiversity ❤️ Red represents physical disabilities 🖤 And the faded black background represents mourning for those who have suffered as a consequence of ableist violence and ableist abuse victims, the anger and mourning over the eugenics and the neglect that disabled people have to fight against for generations. The stripes represent solidarity within our community. They are angled diagonally to represent the cutting across of disability barriers. The flag is a rectangle to represent the straight walls, floors and ceilings that still keep disabled people isolated. Disability is a significant identity that defines how we experience the world. Yet people with disabilities have been marginalized and misunderstood for generations. Throughout the remainder of July, I encourage to ask questions and educate yourself a little more about the lived experiences of people with disability. Happy #DisabilityPride #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityPrideFlag #Disability #PeopleOfDetermination ID: The image is a tile of the disability pride flag, faded black background with the colours green, blue, white gold and red in diagonal stripes from left to right, top to bottom. Text on the tile says: Disability Pride, @jessicasmith27

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July and is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. Why July? It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. One way you can honor Disability Pride Month is to hire people with disabilities. Right now, 85% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are unemployed. Many of them want to work and have skills to contribute. Among those who are employed, people with IDD are working fewer than 13 hours a week on average and less than one-fifth of them are getting workplace benefits. But research shows that disability inclusion is a proven good business decision. And here's what the Disability Month flag's colors symbolize, in order of appearance from top to bottom: > Green is for sensory disabilities. > Blue represents emotional and psychiatric disabilities. > White stands for non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities. > Gold is for neurodiversity. > Red represents physical disabilities. The stripes are displayed on a faded charcoal black background which commemorates and mourns disabled people who’ve died due to ableism, violence, negligence, suicide, rebellion, illness and eugenics. The dark background also represents rage and protest against the mistreatment of the disabled community. #disabilitypride #disabilitypridemonth

Did you know that Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July? It creates opportunities to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. Why July? It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), famous for breaking disability inclusion barriers in America. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law on July 26, 1990, and is one of the nation’s strongest protections for the civil rights of people with disabilities. It prohibits disability-based discrimination and guarantees equal access to public buildings and businesses, employment opportunities, transportation, telecommunications, commercial facilities, and state and local government services. Since the ADA became law, our technological and social needs have changed, ushering in new amendments and recommendations to the ADA, some of which can be found here: https://lnkd.in/grqPdan3 If you want to see an example of accessible technology, visit The Arc's "Why and How to Celebrate Disability" and click on the "Accessibility" button near the scroll bar: https://lnkd.in/gNhrvuhn Additionally, here is a link where you can watch, listen, and read stories from people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD): https://lnkd.in/gGWEAxBy #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #ADA #AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct #AmericansWithDisabilities #BreakingBarriers #InclusionMatters #Disabilities #PeopleWithDisabilities

Tip 1: Know how to identify people with disabilities in your community. Many population health surveys use the six standard disability questions to identify disabled people.https://ow.ly/NVk050SsSeN These questions can also be used to help you identify people who need accommodations. For example, these questions can be incorporated into your State’s National Quitline to identify people with disabilities and any accommodations needed for tobacco cessation. Learn more about the health status of people with disabilities in your state here https://ow.ly/NJqW50SsSeM #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityInclusionNetwork Image description: A dark blue image with text, NACDD is proud to celebrate Disability Pride Month. Disability Inclusion Tip #1 Know how to identify people with disabilities in your community. #DisabilityPrideMonth The Disability Inclusion Network logo. A light blue magnifying glass icon and a light blue screening list icon.

Do you have a narrow view of disability? During Disability Pride Month, we aim to promote a broader understanding of the diverse experiences within the disability community. The disability flag highlights the many types of disabilities that are often overlooked. 🟢 - Green represents sensory disabilities like deafness or blindness. 🔵 - Blue stands for emotional and psychiatric conditions. ⚪️ - White acknowledges invisible disabilities and those without diagnoses. 🟡 - Gold recognizes neurodiversity. 🔴 - Red symbolizes physical disabilities. All of these experiences deserve to be recognized and embraced. At As Told By Anya Ltd., we aim to amplify marginalized voices and promote inclusion for people of all abilities. We encourage you to reflect on your own perceptions. Do you associate disability with only certain conditions? The reality is far more complex. Each person's journey is unique, and we must work to establish a society of care, support and compassion for one another. Let's work to break down barriers, disadvantages and discrimination. Acknowledge and celebrate the full diversity within the disability community. Together, through open dialogue and shared understanding, we can create meaningful change. The disability flag is a symbol of pride. This month, broaden your view of disability - you may be surprised by how much we all have to learn. #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #Disability #Inclusion #Diversity #RepresentationMatters

Disability groups in New Hampshire are calling for an end to the word "special" to describe people with disabilities. They said terms like "special" or "special needs" imply people are somehow broken and undermine the long-term fight for disability rights. Isadora Rodríguez-Legendre, MSW, executive director of the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities, said when people ask not to be called a certain word, it should be reason enough not to use it. "It really is a label that kids and adults with disabilities found to be alienating," Rodriguez-Legendre explained. "Because it kept them apart and separate." Rodriguez-Legendre pointed out a new public awareness campaign encourages people to visit the website stopspecial.org and read a more appropriate language guide. Nearly one of every eight New Hampshire residents has a disability. Backers of the "Stop Special" campaign said language is evolving and such euphemisms as "special needs" or "special education" need correction. Rodriguez-Legendre emphasized students should simply be called "students," or even "students with disabilities." She understands it will not be an easy change, especially for those who work with laws and regulations but added the goal is to ensure equitable access to education and public spaces. "Communities actually are better when people with disabilities are participating in them, because they bring awareness about how to make things more accessible for everybody," Rodriguez-Legendre contended. The "Stop Special" campaign is backed by the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, the Disability Rights Center of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. #StopSpecial #disabilityrights

♿ This month is Disability Pride Month, a time when we celebrate, raise awareness and amplify the voices of disabled individuals. 💼 Over 20% of the working-age population are recognised as disabled, with barely half of those being employed. 🚀 We must embrace systems that empower EVERY skilled job seeker, not just a select few, to excel in meaningful work. 📢 This DPM, let us use our platforms to raise our voices and share the experiences of the disabled community. ➡️ Want to stand out as an Employer of Choice for your DEI efforts? Link in the comment section. #DisabilityPrideMonth #DEI #Accessibility #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityPride _____ Alt text: Image promoting disability inclusion during Disability Pride Month, featuring text: 'You are not truly inclusive without ensuring everyone has access to your organisation.' Depicts five diverse individuals with various disabilities, emphasising the call for disability inclusion.

Disability Pride Month celebrates the contributions, achievements, and identities of people with disabilities. It’s a month dedicated to recognizing the diversity of the disability community, raising awareness about the challenges they face, and advocating for inclusion and accessibility. At Pequot Health Care, Disability Pride Month means: 1.     Celebration of Diversity: Recognizing and honoring the unique experiences, talents, and perspectives of individuals with disabilities. 2.     Raising Awareness: Educating the broader community about the realities of living with a disability, breaking down stereotypes, and fostering understanding. 3.     Advocacy for Rights: Highlighting the ongoing fight for equal rights and accessibility, and the importance of policies that support the disability community. 4.     Community and Solidarity: Providing a platform for individuals with disabilities to come together, share their stories, and support one another. 5.     Empowerment and Visibility: Empowering people with disabilities to take pride in their identities and make their voices heard in all aspects of society. It’s a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and the ongoing work needed to create a world where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive and participate fully. #disabilitypride #disabilityawareness #disabilityrights #disabilityinclusion #disabilityadvocate #disabilitysupport Setu Vora, Christopher Manzi, Heather Angel Mars-Martins, Kim Morrone Pont, MBA, Leah Lozier, Jennifer Webb RPh, AE-C, Andrea Rosen, Stephen Demby, David LoPresti, Telly Demestihas Dr. John Grossomanides Mary Ellen Rydell, Tammy J Shawn-Wienke