Disability Rights Fund’s Post

**Reflecting on Judy Human's "Being Human": A Masterclass in Resilience and Advocacy** Just finished "Being Human" by Judy Human and I'm compelled to share how profoundly it has impacted me. This memoir goes beyond sharing a journey; it’s a deep dive into the essence of humanity, resilience, and the unyielding fight for equality, particularly from the perspective of disability rights. Judy Human's life story is not just inspirational but a critical call to action. Her narrative, skillfully blending personal experiences with broader socio-political undercurrents, serves as a vivid reminder of the power of advocacy, empathy, and solidarity. What Judy teaches us through her struggles and victories is that the fight for equality is not just necessary but deeply enriching to our collective human condition. For anyone like myself, living with a disability, or working within the spheres of disability rights and advocacy, this book is a treasure trove of motivation, enlightenment, and a reminder of the indomitable spirit inherent within us all. Judy’s ability to present her life’s work and insights makes "Being Human" not just a memoir, but a manifesto for meaningful change and inclusivity. This book challenges us to view disabilities not as barriers but as unique lenses through which we can enrich our understanding of humanity. It is a guide for not only those navigating life with disabilities but for professionals keen on making a real difference in their fields. "Being Human" stands out as more than literary work; it’s a beacon of hope and a transformative call to build a more inclusive, empathetic, and equal society. Judy Human, through her relentless advocacy and the power of her story, reminds us that true humanity involves resilience, compassion, and the pursuit of justice for all. To anyone looking to be inspired, educated, and called to action, I cannot recommend this book enough. It embodies the profound impact of shared stories and struggles, urging us all to work towards a more inclusive and empathetic world. An absolute must-read!

Survey Invitation: Amplifying Young Voices (13 to 35 years) in Disability Rights Advocacy This survey is part of a research project for the Year of Youth 2023 to 2024 being carried out by the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network, Include Me TOO, the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Purpose of this Survey: We aim to learn and share more about young people with disabilities aged (aged 13 to 35 years) their experiences and access in areas of participation, representation and leadership in Disability Rights Advocacy Spaces and Public Decision-Making Processes. Your Voice Matters! ♿️ We are eager to hear about your journeys in disability rights advocacy spaces and in decision-making processes. ♿️ Share your stories of inclusion and your leadership ♿️ We want you to share where you have been heard and included on the issues important to you ♿️ We want to hear about any challenges you have faced in your participation, representation, leadership in disability rights advocacy and decision making processes spaces. The survey is available at https://lnkd.in/gxHz-atK The closing date to send your responses to the survey is the Monday 15th April 2024 at 11:59pm GMT. Impact of Your Participation: Your insights will be presented in a report and shared at an online event later this year. The findings aim to inform and improve the experiences, capacity and access of young people with disabilities participation, representation and leadership, in their roles as disability rights advocates and their inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and their futures. If you have any questions you can contact us via email CCYDN@includemetoo.org.uk Your participation in completing this survey is appreciated.

Transforming Our Future: Building Strategies for Inclusion On Wednesday, May 8, 10:30 AM-12pm EDT, join CIP, DRF, IDA, Spinal Injuries Association of Malawi, and UNICEF for a forward-looking conversation that explores strategies for realizing the promise of the CRPD. Please register ahead of the event at https://lnkd.in/eDJidKtn   Our aim is to jumpstart meaningful discussion toward paving a sustainable path that realizes the goal of inclusive communities for people with disabilities. Deepening and broadening strategic alliances is essential for realizing this goal. The conversation will underscore the varied inputs needed for moving inclusion forward and highlight how different organizations and entities can contribute to advancing inclusion from their points of leverage. A detailed description of the event and registration link follow. We hope you will join us!   While acknowledging the progress made in disability inclusion, notably since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), there is an imperative for new strategies to scale our collective impact. Building more inclusive societies requires deep, holistic, and sustained transformation of systems, and cultures. Contributions and coordination across a range of sectors, movements, and stakeholders are vital to realize this goal. Join us for an insightful conversation to explore how different stakeholders—the Center for Inclusive Policy, the Disability Rights Fund, the International Disability Alliance, the Spinal Injuries Association of Malawi, and UNICEF—are framing and implementing more robust and sustainable responses that can have long-term impact and complement each other.   Our aim is to spark reflection and conversation about the critical thinking needed to develop deeper, more effective collaborations that transcend the confines of the disability sector. Speakers:     Catalina Devandas, Disability Rights Fund, Scader Louis, Spinal Injuries Association of Malawi (SIAM),Gopal Mitra, UNICEF, Daniel Mont, Center for Inclusive Policy, José Viera, International Disability Alliance   Moderator:    Catherine Hyde Townsend, Ford Foundation   Closed captioning and International Sign (IS) interpretation will be provided.  

Happy Disability Pride Month! Today I wanted to talk about the 10 Principles of Disability Justice, a framework created by Sins Invalid. Sins Invalid is a performance art and education group that use art, activism, and education to create spaces of healing, justice and liberation for disabled people who are Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latinx, queer, trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, gender expansive, and two-spirit. Here are the 10 principles in plain text created by Sins Invalid: 1. INTERSECTIONALITY “We do not live single issue lives” –Audre Lorde. Ableism, coupled with white supremacy, supported by capitalism, underscored by heteropatriarchy, has rendered the vast majority of the world “invalid.” 2. LEADERSHIP OF THOSE MOST IMPACTED “We are led by those who most know these systems.” –Aurora Levins Morales 3. ANTI-CAPITALIST POLITIC In an economy that sees land and humans as components of profit, we are anti-capitalist by the nature of having non-conforming body/minds. 4. COMMITMENT TO CROSS-MOVEMENT ORGANIZING Shifting how social justice movements understand disability and contextualize ableism, disability justice lends itself to politics of alliance. 5. RECOGNIZING WHOLENESS People have inherent worth outside of commodity relations and capitalist notions of productivity. Each person is full of history and life experience. 6. SUSTAINABILITY We pace ourselves, individually and collectively, to be sustained long term. Our embodied experiences guide us toward ongoing justice and liberation. 7. COMMITMENT TO CROSS-DISABILITY SOLIDARITY We honor the insights and participation of all of our community members, knowing that isolation undermines collective liberation. 8. INTERDEPENDENCE We meet each others’ needs as we build toward liberation, knowing that state solutions inevitably extend into further control over lives. 9. COLLECTIVE ACCESS As brown, black and queer-bodied disabled people we bring flexibility and creative nuance that go beyond able-bodied/minded normativity, to be in community with each other. 10. COLLECTIVE LIBERATION No body or mind can be left behind – only moving together can we accomplish the revolution we require. Disability justice helped me find wholeness on both a personal and coalitional level. It also speaks to the importance of building across difference with and within our communities. In LGBTQIA+ spaces I am disabled, and in disability spaces I am trans & gender non-conforming. Disability justice has gifted me the ability to rediscover my own wholeness. For those unfamiliar with disability justice, I highly encourage you to look into the work and resources by Sins Invalid. Disability is an intersection. An intersection founded in difference, it is a difference that embodies strength, patience, sustainability, risk taking, learning, and resilience when we allow it to be our teacher.

Join me and my colleagues at the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition today at noon EST for our training on "Implicit Bias in the Workplace." Learn what implicit bias is, how it manifests, and proven strategies to reduce it. Date: Today Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST Registration: https://lnkd.in/gCAiJmNp If you miss it, I will post the recording. Let's come together to help make workplaces inclusive for everyone! Image description: Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, LEAD, and LEAD-Inclusive Network logo at the upper left corner. Light blue and dark blue background. Cartoon people at the bottom right corner. Text: Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, LEAD, LEAD-Inclusive Network. Implicit Bias in the Workplace. Thursday, June 20th, 2024, 12 pm - 1 pm. This virtual session goes over implicit bias and how non-profit leaders can help reduce it. More specifically attendees will learn: What implicit bias is and what it’s not. How implicit bias shows up Proven strategies on reducing implicit bias. ASL and Captions will be provided. Online Registration: https://lnkd.in/gCAiJmNp

A powerful, well-written story about the progress made by the disability rights movement globally.: "Much of the historical progress has come from local communities and organizations made of people whose loved ones had a disability. Today, advocacy communities made of these allies still influence larger policy changes. For example, in Canada, local advocates and their communities have called for international accountability when their provincial governments instate unequal pension policies and have continued pushing for specific changes to improve accessible infrastructure. This is only a small example of how years of advocacy have achieved tangible changes in how society operates to improve the lives of people with disabilities. " https://ow.ly/iiwy50ReswP movement, moving from inclusion towards leadership.

🌟 Let's Stand Together for Disability Services Funding! 🌟 We're reaching out to rally support for a crucial cause: preserving the $1 billion planned funding increase for Disability Services in California's 2024-25 budget. Right now, our state stands at a pivotal moment where we must ensure that promises made are promises kept. Decades of underfunding have left our disability services system in a state of crisis, with a direct support workforce struggling to meet the needs of the 458,000 individuals with disabilities across California. Families are facing mounting challenges, from lengthy waitlists for essential programs to critical staffing shortages that jeopardize the quality of care provided. However, there's hope on the horizon. Our State Legislature recognized the urgency and approved a $1 billion funding increase for Disability Services, set to take effect on July 1, 2024. This investment isn't just about numbers on a budget sheet; it's about fundamentally improving the lives of countless Californians. Yet, Governor Gavin Newsom's proposal threatens to delay this vital funding, prolonging the suffering of individuals with disabilities and their families. Without this support, the crisis will only deepen, leaving many without the essential services they need to thrive. By upholding the promise of the Lanterman Act and investing in Disability Services as planned, we can: ✨ Address the severe workforce crisis by offering competitive wages to attract and retain dedicated professionals. ✨ Improve access to housing, transportation, individualized programs, and much-needed respite services. ✨ Build a future where all Californians, regardless of ability, have the opportunity to live full and equitable lives. Together, let's send a clear message to our leaders: Reject the proposed delay in funding and ensure that the $1 billion investment in Disability Services becomes a reality this year. Our fellow Californians deserve nothing less. Join us in advocating for a brighter, more inclusive future. Together, we can make a difference. 💪 #DisabilityRights #FundingForAll #InclusiveFuture https://chng.it/SqC79MTzPG

Advocacy is the cornerstone of positive change. This month, I, along with ICS members and staff, joined the Civics League for Disability Rights (CLDR), an independent, volunteer-led group of New Yorkers with disabilities who advocate for themselves, their community and for change in the healthcare system for people with physical disabilities, to call on lawmakers to oppose Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed $125 million cuts to the Health Home program and amendments to Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Services (CDPAS). The good news is that, for now, the Senate has restored the $125 million in the state budget, and has also reversed course on CDPAS as well. Budget season, however, is still ongoing. Advocates need to continue advocating to ensure that funding for the Health Home is preserved and changes to CDPAS are avoided. People with disabilities have turned to ICS for more than 20 years because of our expert, disability-competent staff who help them to improve their health and quality of life, and be active and independent members in the community. Without ICS, members would have nowhere to turn to for the services they need. We hope to continue that work for a long time. What’s needed now are solutions to stabilize services to support the health of people with disabilities across the state, and to ensure their complex health needs are met. https://bit.ly/4a01xOh

The Importance of Authentic Advocacy: Why Genuine Understanding Matters in Disability Rights Advocacy Dear LinkedIn Community, In our collective efforts to advocate for disability rights, authenticity and genuine understanding are paramount. While technology offers incredible tools for communication, relying solely on AI-generated content without firsthand knowledge or expertise can inadvertently perpetuate misconceptions and undermine our advocacy efforts. Here's why: 1. **Lack of Context and Sensitivity**: AI lacks the nuanced understanding and empathy necessary to address the complex issues faced by individuals with disabilities. Without genuine insight into their experiences, AI-generated content runs the risk of oversimplifying or misrepresenting their challenges, hindering rather than advancing our advocacy goals. 2. **Misinformation and Stereotyping**: Inaccurate or uninformed portrayals of disability perpetuated by AI-generated content can reinforce harmful stereotypes and misconceptions. Without genuine understanding, there's a danger of unintentionally spreading misinformation or overlooking the diverse perspectives within the disability community. 3. **Loss of Authentic Connection**: Authenticity fosters genuine connections and trust within the disability community and beyond. When advocating for disability rights, it's essential to engage authentically with lived experiences, challenges, and triumphs. AI-generated content, devoid of personal insight and empathy, lacks the ability to forge meaningful connections or convey genuine solidarity. 4. **Ethical Considerations**: As advocates, we have a responsibility to ensure that our messaging is accurate, respectful, and inclusive. Relying solely on AI-generated content without the necessary expertise or sensitivity raises ethical concerns about representation, dignity, and the amplification of marginalized voices. In conclusion, while technology can augment our advocacy efforts, it must be wielded responsibly and complemented by genuine understanding and empathy. Let's prioritize authentic engagement, meaningful dialogue, and firsthand knowledge in our advocacy for disability rights, ensuring that our voices resonate with authenticity and respect. #DisabilityRights #AuthenticAdvocacy #InclusiveCommunication #EthicalRepresentation #AIinAdvocacy #EmpathyAndUnderstanding

Call for Proposals: A Golden Opportunity for Disability Rights Advocates Announcing the @gnypwd Micro-Funding Seed Grants Initiative! Purpose and Background: We are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking initiative aimed at young changemakers committed to disability rights and inclusion. This isn't just another grant; it's a pledge of faith in the power of community-driven change. Why This Initiative Is Revolutionary: This isn't just funding. It's fuel for innovation, advocacy, and transformative social impact. We are here to empower you to break the conventional boundaries that often limit disability inclusion. Scope of Impact: 1. Collaborative Innovations: Partner within the GNYPWD network or external stakeholders to reshape the landscape of disability inclusion. 2. Dynamic Advocacy: Utilize funding for campaigns that spotlight, challenge, and change. 3. Skill & Capacity Building: Empower young individuals with disabilities through workshops and training. 4. Research & Documentation: Contribute to future policy formulation and initiatives. Eligibility Criteria: Organization Types: NGOs, Community Orgs, Academic Institutions, Individual Advocates. Project Scope: National, Capital, Urban, Rural. Constituency Groups: Must represent one or more disability types and marginalized groups. Alignment: Must align with disability inclusion, human rights, and equity. Proposal Submission Guidelines: From Project Overviews to Budget Plans, every detail counts. For a complete list, check the proposal submission guidelines- https://lnkd.in/eAvbMwpY Important Dates: Proposal Launch: 30th October Deadline: 20th November Project Start/End: 1st Januaary-31st March How to Apply? Ready to be a part of this transformative journey? Click the link below to apply- https://t.co/IgpX9SIVHP Questions? Feel free to reach out to us at contact@gnypwd.org. Let's pave the way for a more inclusive future together. #GNYPWD