Disability:IN’s Post

New study shows what 77 previous studies have shown, thus reproving what we already knew. How about a new study to find out if it's still true in May.... Or maybe we can study the methodology of studying studies on disability inclusion. 😁😁😁😁😁😁 Want to support a solution: Follow XA Endowment

We need more authentic representation like this for people with disability The way people with disability are portrayed in media, literature, TV, and movies profoundly shapes both societal perceptions and self-perceptions within the disability community. These perceptions often lead to the stigma and stereotypes that people with disability don’t or can’t experience a sexual quality of life. This is why authentic representation is so important for the disability community and why we need people without disability to understand that people with disability have the right to a sexual quality of life. The BBC's new series ‘We Might Regret This’ is being praised for its raw, unfiltered portrayal of life with a disability. Co-created by Kyla Harris, a tetraplegic artist and writer, the show dives deep into the messy, joyous, and complex experiences of friendship, love, and disability. Unlike many narratives created by people without disability, which often focus on tragedy or inspiration, 'We Might Regret This' centres on a disabled character whose story isn't defined by her disability. The show doesn't shy away from intimate, often taboo topics, showcasing the realities of navigating life with a disability, from everyday moments to deeply personal experiences. As Kyla notes, this series challenges the learned perceptions and prejudices surrounding disability. It encourages viewers to see mobility devices as tools of freedom rather than symbols of limitation. For the disability community, authentic representation like this isn't just groundbreaking; it's vital. It contributes to redefining how disability is perceived and experienced in our society. Representation shapes understanding. Maria Chiorando's article ‘Is this the BBC’s most outrageous comedy ever? X-rated sitcom about tetraplegic women, which contains some very explicit scenes hailed as ‘the new Fleabag’ - and it’s got the thumbs up from activists for its raw portrayal of life with disability’ highlights Kyla’s life experiences that she depicts in the series. Image description: A female wheelchair user is reading a book. The text reads: We need to see authentic disability representation in the media that challenges generational stigmas and stereotypes. #DisabilityRepresentation #AuthenticityMatters #Inclusion #RepresentationMatters #DisabilityRights #DiversityInMedia #WeMightRegretThis #SexualQualityOfLife #Disability #DisabilityIsHuman

Some of the Embraced Body staff recently went to an event that was talking about disability intellectually without adequate disabled representation and lived experience in the conversation. That lack of representation meant that: 1. There were several oversights in how access was being addressed. 2. Presenters were saying blatantly ableist things. 3. There was a lack of depth and nuance in the conversation. It is so critical that disabled people be given agency, decision making power, the ability to represent ourselves, and leadership opportunities, because we have so much insight and wisdom to offer about our own lives, needs, and desires. #EmbracedBody #DanceForAllAbilities #RepresentationMatters #DisabilityJustice #DisabilityCommunity #BlackAndDisabled #DisabilityPride #Ableism . . . [Video Description: Clip 1: In the very front, two white hands are giving each other a handshake. In the background, a group of white people sitting around a brown desk clapping their hands. There is a silver laptop on the desk. Clip 2: A black person with a short black haircut is wearing a stripe printed long sleeve, and brown pants are sitting down. They are holding a piece of paper with yellow and blue graphs on it. They are pointing to specific graphs on the paper. Clip 3: A brown person is sitting down typing on their laptop placed on their lap. They have a brown top knot and are wearing orange top and pants with a yellow coat. Clip 4: A black person is sitting down outside using sign language to communicate. They have a short blonde and brown haircut and are wearing a black button up and silver chain. Clip 5: There are four disabled colleagues sitting and standing around an office desk with laptops and coffee cups on top. A brown person is wearing a cream sweater and blue jeans, sitting in a manual wheelchair. The person standing next to him has on black glasses and a blue t-shirt. Next to them are two people sitting down, one has a short blonde haircut and the other has long black hair. They are facing one another and chatting.] Transcript: So often non disabled people are making decisions on behalf of disabled people when actually we know what we need best, and we know how to build things that are more accessible. Because of our own lived experience with disability. We need a good cross section of people to make sure that we have a lot of disability representation, but we really want to see disabled people, leading policy change, leading efforts, leading accessibility measures.

According to this post from BMO U.S. US, they have received a top score for Disability Inclusion for the 9th year in a row. So how is it that they are using a post photo with a stylishly dressed (likely) able-bodied model who is sitting in a cheap and inappropriate hospital style wheelchair as their representation of disability? The armrests on this mass produced heavy and oversized wheelchair are so high that she could barely self-propel. It is likely that the model's shoes cost more than this wheelchair. Has nobody pointed out to BMO U.S. the problem with using this type of outdated and harmful stock photography in the last 9 years? What I see is a Check the Disability Inclusion Box mentality, but a lack of real understanding of disability related issues. It doesn't matter what you say you do, it matters what you actually do. If you truly respect people with disabilities, then make the effort of creating accurate representation by using real people with disabilities as the media models. And STOP using Bad Stock photography of wheelchair users as your goto example of disability. [ID] Stock photography of what appears to be an able-bodied well dressed young female model in a bulky ill-fitting cheap hospital style wheelchair putting posted notes on a board. #Bad_Stock_Photography #Check_the_Box_Disability_Inclusion #InappropriateAssistiveTechnologyDisease

#DisabilityPrideMonth may end, but the spirit of inclusion it ignites burns bright all year. It all started in 1990, a year marked by the signing of the groundbreaking Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This critical legislation laid the foundation for equal access and opportunity, paving the way for the first Disability Pride Day held in Boston that same year. Disability Pride Month 2024 wasn't just about celebration; it was a powerful springboard for progress. The global community rallied for a more inclusive world, from thought-provoking conferences to impactful social media movements. Now, let's delve deeper into some of the year's most inspiring achievements and ongoing efforts to ensure everyone can thrive. • Hannah Shewan Stevens dives into the history of disability in cinema, offering a wart-and-all look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of how disabilities have been portrayed on the big screen. The article highlights negative stereotypes like "disability spectacle" and the "angelic disabled child" but also celebrates films like "CODA" that challenged these tropes by featuring a deaf family. It concludes with a call for more correct and diverse portrayals of disability in movies. https://lnkd.in/dHjMJtBndisabled-cinema/ • Celebrating Disability Pride Month, Mattel just unveiled two exciting additions to its inclusive doll line: a blind Barbie and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome! The blind Barbie features textured clothes and a white cane, while the packaging includes Braille. Both dolls were created with the help of disability communities for an authentic and accessible experience. This is an excellent step towards inclusivity, letting kids see themselves reflected in their toys! https://lnkd.in/dvg-2Bea While July may end, the journey for a truly inclusive society continues. Let's harness the energy of #DisabilityPrideMonth and translate it into year-round action. Let's dismantle barriers, empower voices, and work together to create a future where all individuals have the chance to reach their full potential. Wen Charlton 🏳️🌈 Balaji Thiagarajan TechDigital #DisabilityPrideMonth2024 #DisabilityPride #ADA #BeyondTheMonth #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion

A friend of mine shared this meme on social media, which made me reflect on something that has been both celebrated and criticised throughout the past decade: inspiration porn. This term is used to describe a phenomenon where non-disabled individuals admire individuals with disabilities for their perceived resilience in overcoming challenges, sparking imperative conversations about representation and empowerment. Yet, as we deconstruct this through the lens of disability rights and inclusion, it's evident that perspectives require a shift from mere admiration to active advocacy.   Let's imagine a different narrative, where disability isn't confined to tales of triumph over adversity but centres on the fundamental human rights of individuals with disabilities. It's a world where inspiration isn't derived from someone's ability to navigate a world filled with barriers but rather from the collective efforts to tear down those barriers and foster an environment of true inclusivity. Moreover, the focus shifts from applauding individuals for their resilience to dismantling systemic barriers that prevent them from living fulfilling lives. We need to recognise that true progress does not solely lie in the inspiration we draw from individual stories but in the changes we make to create a more equitable and accessible society.     As an individual who has a congenital disability (VACTERL Association) who has experienced ableism and disability tokenism (I'll happily share these stories in later posts), I am here to tell you that individuals with disabilities don't seek admiration for their ability to navigate an ableist society, but one where accessibility isn't an afterthought, but a fundamental aspect of design. We want equal access to employment, public spaces, education and every other facet of life that non-disabled individuals often take for granted. By critically examining societal attitudes towards disability, we are able to collectively move beyond the shallow narratives of inspiration and into the complex depths of systemic inequality by calling upon individuals to prioritise accessibility and inclusivity in all aspects of life.       By embarking on this reflective journey, remember that true progress should not be defined by the number of inspirational stories we share but by our commitment to a world where accessibility for all individuals, regardless of ability, is the norm. Let's shift our focus from inspiration to advocacy and actively work to dismantle the barriers that prevent true equality!   #disabilityrights #inclusionmatters #accessibility #advocacy #equalopportunities #accessibledesign #inclusiveworkplaces #empowerment #socialjustice

This has been weighing really heavy on my mind, so I just have to share with you all. In a recent article, Rebecca Ogbonna, a remarkable disability advocate, shared her personal experience that highlights the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals. Rebecca opened up about a difficult situation she encountered at a popular boutique fitness chain, a place that I myself have enjoyed working out at. It turns out that they used to accommodate her needs perfectly being visually impaired but then the company decided to deny her accommodations (read the full article from Disability News Service here: https://buff.ly/3SZRfaY ) As a DEI expert, I can't stress enough that denying accommodations to people with disabilities isn't just wrong, but it goes against the equality act and everything inclusion stands for. Every space should be open and welcoming to all, full stop. 🙌 The company’s own website brags that its workout sessions “create a space for people from all dimensions of diversity in an environment that is accepting, inclusive and free of hate”. This highlights something I say a lot - that policies alone are insufficient and can even be detrimental if they are not actively implemented and followed in practice. Merely having guidelines or rules in place does not guarantee meaningful change or progress. It is the consistent execution and adherence to these policies that truly matters. This situation should be a wake-up call for all organisations to prioritise accessibility NOW. Are you checking your policies, workplace environment and customer experiences for barriers? This is the only way you can remove them 🚧 Are you bringing in DEI consultants and listening to the voices of the disability community to make sure your services are inclusive ? Get in touch with Diversity Alliance as together we can create experiences where EVERYONE feels valued and included. #AccessibilityMatters #InclusionForAll #DiversityandInclusion

We are fortunate to collaborate with graphic designer Michelle Thomas. Her outstanding work on our last annual report series has now extended to supporting our Fundraising team with their exciting new campaign called GIVE. Michelle's creativity and professionalism make her a joy to work with, and her lived experience of disability enriches her contributions. Michelle's daughter, Annabelle, was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, and she documents Annabelle’s journey on Instagram @living_with_a_smart_girl to raise awareness and advocate for disability rights and inclusion. In recognition of Disability Pride Month, we asked Michelle and Anabelle what they would like people to know about living with a disability and what they want to see change, and we've extracted three of Michelle's comments below. Later today, we will be sharing Anabelle's thoughts, too. And next week, we will be posting a longer interview which discusses in more detail the everyday challenges the whole family faces, and things we can all do to make space for disability. Three things we can all do better: 1. Please consider not using a lift if you see my disabled daughter waiting to get in. So many non-disabled people who can use the stairs don’t, and we so often have to wait ages for there to be enough space for us. We don’t have the option to use the stairs. Just let us use it. 2. Please do not say things like ‘But she looks like a normal little girl’. What is normal, and more importantly, what does this mean? Language is important. Think. 3. Please ban the world alternative and don’t create ‘alternative’ events (e.g ‘We’d like Annabelle to attend our alternative sports day. Why? And no, she can attend the sports day with the rest of her class and friends). Just make EVERYTHING inclusive why put a division in place? Support our work to make the world more equitable, find out more on our website. #disabilitypridemonth #MakingSpaceForDisability #Inclusivity #Equality #DisabilityPride #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityRights

The Disability Pride Flag is a powerful symbol, with each colour representing a vital aspect of the community: ⚫ The faded charcoal black represents the mourning of disabled individuals lost to ableism and disability-fueled violence, and the anger against mistreatment. 🔴 Red denotes physical disabilities. 🟡 Gold represents neurodiversity. ⚪ White connects to invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. 🔵 Blue stands for emotional and psychiatric disabilities like anxiety and depression. 🟢 Green represents sensory disabilities like blindness and deafness. July was Disability Pride Month, and it wasn't just about awareness—it continues to be about celebration, empowerment, and action. To continue this celebration year-round, we can: ▶ Advocate: Push for accessible office environments, such as advocating for adjustable desks, accessible restrooms, and the inclusion of ramps or elevators in office buildings, ensuring all employees can navigate the workplace comfortably. ▶ Support: Collaborate with disabled-owned businesses for corporate services or events, such as hiring a disabled caterer for company gatherings or commissioning artwork from disabled artists to display in the office. ▶ Educate: Organize internal workshops focused on disability rights, history, and workplace inclusion. For instance, schedule training sessions on how to accommodate various disabilities and foster an inclusive work culture. ▶ Elevate: Feature stories of disabled employees in internal newsletters or on the company’s social media channels. Additionally, invite disabled professionals to speak at corporate events or webinars to share their experiences and insights. #Inclusion #Accessibility #Advocacy #DisabilityRights

The Disability Pride Flag is a powerful symbol, with each colour representing a vital aspect of the community: ⚫ The faded charcoal black represents the mourning of disabled individuals lost to ableism and disability-fueled violence, and the anger against mistreatment. 🔴 Red denotes physical disabilities. 🟡 Gold represents neurodiversity. ⚪ White connects to invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. 🔵 Blue stands for emotional and psychiatric disabilities like anxiety and depression. 🟢 Green represents sensory disabilities like blindness and deafness. July was Disability Pride Month, and it wasn't just about awareness—it continues to be about celebration, empowerment, and action. To continue this celebration year-round, we can: ▶ Advocate: Push for accessible office environments, such as advocating for adjustable desks, accessible restrooms, and the inclusion of ramps or elevators in office buildings, ensuring all employees can navigate the workplace comfortably. ▶ Support: Collaborate with disabled-owned businesses for corporate services or events, such as hiring a disabled caterer for company gatherings or commissioning artwork from disabled artists to display in the office. ▶ Educate: Organize internal workshops focused on disability rights, history, and workplace inclusion. For instance, schedule training sessions on how to accommodate various disabilities and foster an inclusive work culture. ▶ Elevate: Feature stories of disabled employees in internal newsletters or on the company’s social media channels. Additionally, invite disabled professionals to speak at corporate events or webinars to share their experiences and insights. #Inclusion #Accessibility #Advocacy #DisabilityRights