Disability Rights Fund’s Post

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.  

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.

The general public in Ethiopia can contribute to promoting disability rights and inclusivity in their communities in many ways. Here are some examples: 1. Raise awareness: Start a conversation with friends, family, and colleagues to promote awareness and understanding of disability issues. Share positive stories of persons with disabilities to challenge negative stereotypes and stigma. 2. Promote accessibility: Encourage local businesses, shops, restaurants, and community centers to create accessible environments that accommodate persons with disabilities. For example, installing wheelchair ramps, accessible toilets, and braille signage can go a long way in promoting inclusivity. 3. Support DPO's: Get involved with Disabled Persons' Organizations (DPOs), which play a significant role in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. Consider volunteering or contributing financially to DPOs. 4. Advocacy: Lobby local government agencies and policymakers to create more inclusive policies and legislation that protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities. 5. Engage in inclusive practices: Be inclusive in everyday practices, such as using person-first language, and making sure that events and activities are accessible to all. 6. Education: Educate yourself about disability issues and foster a culture of empathy and respect towards persons with disabilities. These are just a few examples of the ways in which the general public in Ethiopia can contribute to promoting disability rights and inclusivity in their communities. By supporting the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, we can build a more just and equitable society for all.

Dear non-disabled allies, We need your support now more than ever. Did you know that 1 in 4 U.S. adults—about 61 million Americans—have a disability? Globally, over a billion people are living with a disability, making it the only minoritized group that anyone can join at any time. Disability can happen to anyone at any stage of life. It’s crucial to understand that disability isn’t a bad word or something inherently negative—it’s simply a health condition that affects how someone navigates daily life. To create a more inclusive world, we must remove negative value judgments surrounding disability. On the other hand, ableism is a system of oppression that devalues individuals based on how their bodies or minds function. Anti-ableism requires us to take proactive steps to ensure that disabled people are valued and empowered. As Author, 3x TEDx Speaker and Founder & CEO, Diversability, the talented Tiffany A. Yu, MSc explains, “We claim our disabilities with pride as part of our identity.” Disability rights activist and author, Emily Ladau also emphasizes, "If we want the world to be accessible to the disability community, then let’s make the ideas and the experiences surrounding disability more accessible to the world.” Tiffany highlights that anti-ableism is all about action. Please don’t wait until disability affects someone you know, or even yourself, before you start caring about this issue. Your allyship is essential. We need you to listen to our stories and gain a deeper, more accurate understanding of the disabled community. I highly recommend Tiffany Yu’s insightful book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. In it, In The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, Tiffany shares her own disability origin story, moving from initial shock, shame, and stigma to acceptance, advocacy, and pride. Ms. Yu offers a wealth of wisdom, from historical perspectives and models of disability to better communication strategies. Each chapter contains well-researched information and thoughtful reflections, encouraging readers to learn, reflect, and support disabled individuals. The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World is a must-read for anyone looking to foster allyship, inclusivity, and learning. #Allies #Non-disabled #DisabilityAwareness #Allyship Square graphic on an orange gradient background. At the top, text, “I’m a member of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto book launch team!” Below, on the left, a photo of the book The Anti-Ableist Manifesto with a red to orange gradient cover. Below, text, “Coming October 8, 2024. Available for preorder now.” On the right, headshot image in a circle. Below, text, “Tiffany Yu (@imtiffanyyu) takes readers on a revelatory examination of disability—how to unpack biases and build an inclusive and accessible world. I’m getting an early look and can’t wait to share my reflections!”

July is Disability Pride Month. This month is all about celebrating disability as an identity by sharing the experiences of the disabled community. Disability Pride will mean different things to different people. For many, it's about celebrating our uniqueness. For others, it can be about feeling pride in overcoming the ableism and daily barriers we experience in an often inaccessible society. Alongside celebrating and learning from disabled voices, it’s important to use this month to realise that much more needs to be done to make the world accessible and inclusive for us as disabled people. Disabled people make up over 15% of the global population (over 1.3 billion people!) but too often awareness and representation are still incredibly low in companies, the media and society in general. So please like, comment and share this post to bring attention to this hugely important occasion.  How will you be celebrating and supporting Disability Pride Month this year? Let us know in the comments! #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityPride2024 #Accessibility Image Descriptions: Slide 1: A purple background repeats throughout. Illustrations show two individuals carrying Disability Pride flags and two other individuals with signs which read ‘Disabled and Proud’ and ‘Pride Month’. An arrow pointing right is displayed in the centre of the page. Text at the top reads ‘Disability Pride Month 2024. Your questions answered…’ Slide 2: Header text reads “What is Disability Pride Month?” Paragraph text reads ‘Disability Pride Month occurs every July and celebrates disability as an identity by sharing the experiences of the disabled community. This month is by disabled people for disabled people and is a time to raise awareness about disability-related issues, challenge stereotypes, and foster inclusivity and acceptance.’ Slide 3: Header text reads “Why would you be proud of having a disability?” Paragraph text reads ‘Disability pride will mean different things to different people, as no two people are the same. For many, it's about celebrating our uniqueness. For others, it can be about feeling pride in the ableism and daily barriers we've overcome in an often inaccessible society.’ In the bottom right is an illustration of a man kicking through a glass window. Slide 4: Header text reads “Why is Disability Pride Month needed?” Paragraph text reads ‘Alongside celebrating and learning from disabled voices, it's important to use this month to realise that much more needs to be done to make the world accessible and inclusive for us as disabled people. Disabled people make up around 15% of the global population - that's 1.3 billion people!’ In the bottom right corner is an illustrated diagram showing 15% as part of a circle. The remaining image descriptions will be posted in the comments due to the caption character limit.

As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, it's crucial to amplify voices that celebrate diversity, empowerment, and change within the disability community. Here are 7 books to start or continue your journey towards anti-ableism. 1. "Feminist, Queer, Crip" by Alison Kafer - Explores intersections of disability, queer theory, and feminist theory, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of bodies and identities. 2. "Disability Visibility" edited by Alice Wong - A collection of essays by disabled people, reflecting on their lives and experiences, advocating for change. 3. "Disability Intimacy" by Alice Wong - Explores the complex intersections of disability and intimacy, challenging societal norms and perceptions. 4. "Crip Kinship" by Shayda Kafai - Examines the transformative power of disability communities and kinship networks, fostering solidarity and support. 5. "A Disability History of the United States" by Kim E. Nielsen - Traces the history of disability in America, highlighting struggles, achievements, and the ongoing fight for rights. 6. "Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist" by Judith Heumann - A powerful memoir chronicling Heumann's journey as a lifelong advocate for disability rights. 7. "Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice" by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha - Essays exploring disability justice and its intersections with race, class, and gender. Let's honor Disability Pride Month by diving into these reads that amplify diverse voices, challenge societal norms, and advocate for justice and inclusion. Together, let's educate ourselves, dismantle barriers, and champion a world where every individual's voice and contribution is valued and celebrated #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #ReadMoreBooks

At The Mission Project, we believe that disability is not inability. Because of this, our mission is to foster independence and empower individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling and autonomous lives. Through our programs, participants gain valuable life skills, build strong social connections, and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. Disability Pride Month is not only a celebration but also a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality and accessibility for everyone. It’s a call to action for all of us to advocate for change, challenge stereotypes, and support initiatives that uplift the disability community. Join us in making a difference▶https://lnkd.in/gH8s8m8A #DisabilityPrideMonth #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #disabilityawareness #disabilitypride #July #autismawareness #adultswithautism #downsyndromeawareness #downsyndrome #themissionproject #kcnonprofit #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganization #NonProfitLife

These powerful messages come from "Our Resistance: Stories of Disability Rights Activists Anthology" – a collective publication sharing the beautiful, rich, and diverse stories of nine Disability Rights activists. "People who don't know me see me and want to help me to do things, then they ask me like this: 'Do you need help, do you? Or how do I help you?' And I've found that I don't need help so much as time, time to be. Time." Nur Matta, Disability Rights activist. "We hierarchise the differences to see who can do more than the other. And those who can't, we minimise them, we exclude them. We don't see that these differences are complementarity. That is structural violence." Elizabeth Patricia Pérez, Disability Rights activist. "I have learnt that there is ability in disability. I have learnt that women have many rights. Our mentor taught us that disabled people have rights, that we should be bold to demand our rights because we deserve to be respected in our community." Aminata, Disability Rights activist. For too long, the stories of girls with disabilities have been flattening their experiences and erasing their full humanity. This collective publication is flipping the script, sharing how these powerful girls and young feminists are reshaping the world and creating a future rooted in Disability Justice, where their full humanity and experiences are honored. ✨ Dive into this powerful publication: https://lnkd.in/e59V-fSU 📢 Amplify and support girls' power and share their transformative stories! This feminist narrative project was co-led by Purposeful and Our Collective Practice, in partnership with feminist artists and narrative practitioners from around the world 🌍✨

Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month? The month is an important opportunity to raise awareness of disability justice, to celebrate the diversity of the Deaf and Disabled community, and to open up conversations. We're proud to fund a number of Deaf and Disabled People's organisations, run by and for Deaf and Disabled people. Today we want to spotlight just a few of those organisations. *ADHD Babes* ADHD Babes is run by and for Black women and non-binary people with ADHD. It is made up of 180 members, and empowers members to embrace their neurodivergence as a community, build peer support networks and share lived experience. Our funding is to help the organisation to develop the infrastructure to be more effective and more sustainable. *filmpro* filmpro is an organisation of digital artists led by Disabled people. We've funding the team to carry out a six-week training programme, supporting 10 Disabled campaigners based in South London to develop creative skills in campaigning. *ACTION DISABILITY KENSINGTON & CHELSEA* ADKC is  is a user-led Disabled people’s organisation providing support and advice to local Disabled people. Using our funding, the team is working with local young people to develop the next generation of leaders in Kensington and Chelsea’s disability justice movement. These are just a few of the projects that we're proud to fund under our disability justice fund, working to help to diversify the disability sector and build the capacity of Deaf and Disabled people’s organisations to campaign for change. Through the work of organisations such as these, and many more, a fairer, more equal society is possible. Photos on first slide from Bromley Experts by Experience.

Practical Advice for Becoming a Disability Rights Advocate 1. Sunday: Share a step-by-step guide to starting in advocacy. Understand the Issues: Begin by researching and understanding the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, as well as the relevant laws and policies, both globally and locally. 2. Engage with Advocacy Groups: Connect with local disability advocacy groups or online communities to gain deeper insights and find mentorship opportunities. 3. Identify Your Focus: Determine what aspect of disability rights you are most passionate about, such as policy, education, or accessibility, and focus your efforts there. 4. Volunteer and Participate: Look for opportunities to volunteer or engage in initiatives related to your chosen focus area within disability advocacy. 5. Build Your Network: Establish connections with other advocates and organizations in the field to expand your knowledge and influence. 6. Raise Awareness: Utilize platforms like social media, blogs, or public speaking to share information, stories, and advocate for change in disability rights. 7. Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest developments, issues, and legislation in disability rights to ensure your advocacy is informed and relevant. • Task for the Audience: Choose one area of disability rights you are interested in and do some preliminary research. Share your findings with someone else or on social media, or contact an advocacy group to ask about involvement opportunities. This initial step will not only broaden your understanding but also connect you with a network of individuals who share your commitment to advocacy.