Disability Aviation & Maritime’s Post

There is no hierarchy of Disability. There is no one way to experience Disability. One person’s experience will be completely different to another’s. That does not make one person more deserving of support, recognition, or understanding than another. It means that we need to start recognising the diversity that is Disability. We need to move away from the ableist notion that being Disabled is a physical thing. Yes, some people will have physical Disabilities, but not everyone. Visible Disabilities do not trump non-visible Disabilities. Non-visible Disabilities are just as common as visible Disabilities. We need to understand that Disability is diverse and we need to respect it. #TuesdayThoughts #DisabledBySociety #DiversityAndInclusion #DisabilityInclusion Image Description: A dark background filled with colourful squares and rectangles, of all different sizes. An off-black box contains text reading, "There is no one way to experience Disability. Disability is diverse. Diversity has no one appearance". At the bottom left the Disabled By Society logo.

Today is International Day of People with Disabilities, an annual occasion designated to join together to support people with disabilities in our communities. The 2024 theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future." This theme recognizes the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. The day also serves to raise awareness of the importance of creating a future where people with disabilities experience equal opportunity and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives... whether it be going about their day-to-day lives with adequate accessibility in their communities, joining the workforce, or being able to showcase their abilities and reach their goals without facing barriers. #InternationalDayofPersonsWithDisabilities #IDPWD

🌻Raising awareness about invisible disabilities is essential in fostering inclusive and supportive environments.🌻 I recently learned about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower badge through a close friend. These badges serve as a powerful tool, voluntarily signaling a non-visible disability and the need for support and understanding in various settings. They not only represent hidden struggles but also spark conversations within society, encouraging individuals to reflect on the complexities of living with invisible disabilities. While this badge is designed to be a powerful tool in raising awareness and signaling the need for support, it’s important to consider whether it fully conveys the diverse challenges faced by individuals with these conditions. How can we ensure that these symbols don’t trivialize the challenges faced by those who wear them, but instead serve as catalysts for genuine empathy and meaningful change in how we interact with and support people in need? The answer may lie in the concept of Intersemiotic Translation, which involves translating ideas across different sign systems. This concept plays a vital role in bridging the gap between visible symbols and the actual lived experiences they represent. It also serves to enhance the badge's message of inclusivity and empathy. This way we can ensure that the symbols truly capture the complexities of the experiences of individuals living with invisible disabilities.  #InvisibleDisabilities #HiddenStruggles #Empathy #Inclusion  #SunflowerBadge #LanguageTranslation #RomanJakobson #NonverbalSignSystems 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 🌍 Today, we celebrate the strength and resilience of individuals with disabilities around the world. At Smart Eye , we believe that every journey matters and that the world becomes better when it is accessible to everyone.Through our assistive technologies, like smart mobility solutions for the visually impaired, we’re working to redefine possibilities and create a future where no one is held back by limitations. Together, We See a World Without Limits Let’s continue to break barriers, promote inclusivity, and empower individuals to live with dignity and independence. This is not just a day of recognition; it’s a call for action to build a more equitable and accessible world for all. 💡 Join us in this mission to support and uplift the community of individuals with disabilities by sharing, learning, and taking steps towards inclusivity every day. Because together, we can make a difference. #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities #Inclusivity #AccessibilityForAll #Empowerment #BreakingBarriers #AssistiveTechnology #SmartMobility #DisabilityAwareness #RedefiningPossibilities #WorldWithoutLimits #EqualOpportunities #DignityAndIndependence #SupportAndUplift #BuildingEquity #TogetherWeCan

Yesterday was the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was created to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities and rights as everyone else. Approximately 80% of all disabilities are acquired between the ages of 18-64. More than 1 in 4 adults in the USA have some type of disability. Disabilities touch all of us. Let's not make disabled people ask to be included. Let's not make them feel like a burden to need an accommodation. Let's stop creating barriers to an accommodation through repeated requests to prove how disabled they are. People with disabilities are your customers, your coworkers, your neighbors, your friends and your family members. People with disabilities are people first, and let's remember that not all disabilities are visible or apparent. And last, but not least, disability is not a bad word. Being disabled does not mean someone is broken. #ADA #ADA34 #DisabiltyPrideMonth #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #Accessible #Accessibility Visual description: A quote surrounded by colorful rectangles that says "Let's normalize asking for something to be made accessible and others viewing it for what it is: someone asking to be included and providing an opportunity to learn."

Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let’s take a moment to reflect on those with invisible disabilities, particularly intellectual disabilities, who often navigate life’s challenges unnoticed and unacknowledged. Invisible disabilities don’t come with visible markers, making it harder for people to understand or empathize with the struggles faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities. They might battle with comprehension, memory, or processing information, but their difficulties are often dismissed or misunderstood as laziness or lack of effort. Imagine navigating a world where expectations don’t align with your capabilities, where the support you need isn’t visible to others. This reality leads to frustration, isolation, and a constant struggle to fit into spaces that aren’t designed for you. As a society, we must create environments that foster understanding, patience, and inclusion. A simple act of kindness, a willingness to listen, or the implementation of inclusive practices can make a world of difference for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Let’s use this day to advocate for greater awareness of invisible disabilities. Together, we can build a more compassionate world where every person, regardless of their abilities, feels seen, heard, and valued. #InternationalDisabilityDay #InclusionMatters #InvisibleDisabilities #IntellectualDisability #CompassionAndEmpathy

"International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 lets us focus on #challenges faced by people living with #disabilities. The day doesn’t #discriminate between mental and physical disabilities, and the spirit of the day is to ensure that all people in the world have #equal #opportunities for work, play, health, and success. People with disabilities can be and very often are contributing and valued members of society, and today is all about appreciating them." #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities

🌍 Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024: "Empowering the Future: Inclusion and Accessibility for All" 🌍 As we observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, 2024, we stand together to honor the strength, resilience, and potential of individuals with disabilities. This year’s theme, "Empowering the Future: Inclusion and Accessibility for All," reminds us that true progress is measured not just by what we achieve individually, but by how we uplift each other in our communities. The Significance of This Day This day serves as a powerful reminder of the barriers many face daily—barriers that limit access to education, employment, healthcare, and social participation. By raising awareness, we not only highlight these challenges but also celebrate the achievements of those who have overcome them. It is an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about inclusivity and to recommit ourselves to creating a world where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive. Preparing for the Unexpected While we hope for a future free from disability, life can be unpredictable. Disasters—natural or personal—can strike at any time, and the reality is that anyone can experience a disability at some point in their lives. Therefore, preparation is key. A Call to Action On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us commit to a future where inclusion is not just a goal, but a reality. Let us recognize that we all have a role to play in creating a more accessible world. By educating ourselves, advocating for change, and embracing diversity, we can build a society that values every individual, regardless of their abilities. Together, we can ensure that our communities are prepared for any eventuality, while celebrating the richness that diverse abilities bring to our lives. Let’s empower each other and pave the way for a more inclusive future! 💪✨ #IDPD2024 #EmpowerTheFuture #InclusionAndAccessibility #DisabilityAwareness #Preparedness #CommunitySupport

As we end Invisible Disabilities Awareness Week in the UK, I reflect on how much remains unseen—not just disabilities, but also the support, resilience, and adjustments that many of us make every day. Hidden disabilities can often go unnoticed, leading to misunderstandings and assumptions that can impact our well-being and our contributions. But as with this week itself, which may have flown under the radar for many, we must bring these challenges to light. How many of us, after all, have had aspects of our lives that others couldn’t quite see? For those of us living with hidden disabilities, the journey often requires adaptability, a network of support, and an openness from others to understand what’s not immediately visible. It’s about more than just awareness—it's about fostering empathy and creating work environments that encourage everyone to perform at their best. As we wrap up this week, I hope we can all take forward a renewed commitment to inclusivity, where every individual feels valued and understood, whether their challenges are visible or not. Let’s keep the conversation going. 🌍 #InvisibleDisabilities #AwarenessWeek #Inclusivity #Support #Empathy #HiddenDisabilities #DisabilityAwareness #InclusiveWorkplace #DiversityAndInclusion