Goodwill of Greater Washington’s Post

“I would want people with disabilities 20 years from now to not think that they’re broken. You know, not think that there’s anything spiritually or physically or emotionally wrong with them, you know, and not just people with disabilities, but queer people and gender nonconforming folks and people of color and all of the people I think that society really pushes down and out. And just to note, we’re still powerful.” ~Stacey Milburn, Disability Justice advocate and organizer Stacey Park Milbern was a queer disabled woman of color and an activist, writer, speaker, and movement organizer who helped strengthen and lead the modern Disability Justice movement. Her life and work was a reminder of the power of youth leadership to transform the world towards a more inclusive and just future for all. CIL’s youth programs support disabled young people in building community, advocating for disability rights and justice, and finding pathways to meaningful schooling, employment and community participation. Our Living Well program is a senior peer support program that offers coaching sessions and health education classes to give seniors the tools and support to break through new limitations, improve their quality of life, and maintain independence. In addition, the program advocates for the rights and needs of seniors as they age into disability. Young people will lead the way to a more just and inclusive future, and stand on the shoulders of elders who paved the way. Please support the CIL in raising $35,000 towards expanding youth and senior programming. Donate today at thecil.org/eoyg! #CIL #CenterForIndependentLiving #AccessForAll #Donate #Fundraiser #NonProfit #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #Berkeley #Oakland #Alameda #AlamedaCounty [Image Description] Teal graphic that reads “Intergenerational Access for All”. There is an illustration of an older person with white hair sitting on a bench holding a cane and a younger person with multicolored hair and a cane stands next to them. Below, white text reads “Help us raise $35,000 | thecil.org/donate”. The CIL logo in white is in the bottom right corner.

For the last five years, Transport for London has run their Priority Seating campaign to remind people that "not all conditions are visible," encouraging the public to give up their seats to those who may need them more. They provide those with invisible disabilities and differences the opportunity to wear the ‘Please Offer Me A Seat’ badge to increase awareness and inclusion across transportation. For these campaigns, TFL consult with the Independent Disability Advisory Group (IDAG), a panel of 10 members, appointed for their lived experience of disability, as well as their extensive expertise and knowledge, of the key issues and barriers to accessing public transport. TFL also continue to partner with a number of charities who support people with disabilities, particularly those with learning differences. As a result of listening to those with different abilities and their experiences on public transport systems, as well as facilitating training and education, TFL are continuing to seek better access routes and support to make their transport links more inclusive. What can we learn from this campaign? 🔵 Just because we can’t see a physical disability, does not mean it isn’t there. Be mindful of others and grow your knowledge and awareness of how to support those with differences. 🔴 Diversifying your boards & teams, and consulting with people who have lived experiences only serves to strengthen your organisation and their social impact. 🔵 Continue to give visibility to those who are underrepresented and include them in the conversation.

Disability Victory has been recognized by the Apolitical Foundation as one of 78 Political Leadership Entrepreneur (PLE) organizations to watch, and as the only PLE they know of that is dedicated to disabled leadership. This means that we are the only known organization in the entire WORLD with a mission of encouraging and empowering more disabled people to run for elected office or staff campaigns. And as last week's ableist cover of The Economist shows, we have so much more work to do. Being the only organization doing this work hasn't been easy. We entered the field in 2023, an extremely difficult time to start an organization amid downsizing and layoffs across the political space. We've been told that funding disabled political leadership isn't a priority, and to cut corners on accessibility to save money (something we refuse to do). We continue to work on a shoestring budget to make accessible training programs and resources that answer disabled leaders' questions about running for office. That budget gets tighter every day, making Disability Victory's future uncertain. Right now, we need your help to keep the (virtual) lights on so that we can continue this important mission. This #DisabilityPrideMonth, consider contributing to Disability Victory so that we can continue to create accessible training programs and resources that give more disabled leaders the confidence and skills they need to run for office. Donate today to support Disability Victory: https://lnkd.in/dBA8PEKe Apolitical Foundation's PLEs to watch: https://lnkd.in/eaRyTFBV #Disability #Accessibility #Elections2024

Did Apolitical Foundation review the Disability Victory website that announces: Building the political power of disabled progressives. Disabled issues are nonpartisan. It does not matter what your political affiliation is. we need more disabled advocates focused on disability issues without affixing a label to it. We need more people with life experience running for elected offices. Disability Victory negatively impacts disability advocates everywhere. #nonpartisan #leadership #GOTV #communityengagement #accessibility #DeafBlind #Blind #Deaf #Braille #LargePrint #CART #TASL #ASL #Protactile #freepriorinformedconsent #FPIC #sustainability #realtimecaptions #RTT #fundraising #ADA #NDEAM #IDAM #inclusion #ESG #DEI

"The Road to Disability Inclusion" offers a collection of stories that shine a spotlight on the power of disability-inclusive philanthropy. In "Fostering a Culture of Inclusion: A Road Paved with Progress, Not Perfection," writer Katherine C. Gilyard offers an honest look at what it takes to shift toward and sustain a disability-inclusive culture within and surrounding a philanthropic organization. Particularly poignant is the call to action from Sarah Napoli, the Disability & Philanthropy Forum's learning services director, to keep learning and moving forward. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/en6Hd3fi Image description: A group of disabled people on a platform, raised up by rainbow columns, above clouds. A blind person, someone in a wheelchair with a service dog, an amputated person in a suit, and a little person in business attire. Colorful background buildings with different abstract shapes. Text of Sarah's quote says: "You have to start the journey and keep learning. And the idea of the Disability Inclusion Pledge is to start that journey. It’s not about just getting it right. It’s actually about messing up, too. Because if you’re not making mistakes, how are you moving forward?"

Reason 2️⃣4️⃣ of #25Reasons to #support #give #donate to Disability Rights New Jersey, a #nonprofit organization this #GivingSeason. New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is a #leadership development and #advocacy #education program for adults with #DevelopmentalDisabilities (over age 21) and family members of children and transition-age youth available through a collaboration between The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Disability Rights New Jersey. The goal of this program is to prepare the next generation of #disability advocates to work toward meaningful change in our state. The Boggs Center is committed to building a diverse group of participants that is reflective of the needs, geography, and cultural and ethnic backgrounds of New Jersey. 👉The 2023-2024 Partners in Policymaking sessions are currently scheduled to take place using a #hybrid model which combines in-person and virtual learning. A fully virtual option for those that are #immunocompromised or have an immunocompromised family member that prevents in-person participation will be made available. Support this important work developing the next leaders of the disability community in NJ with a donation: https://lnkd.in/ejbFy37M 🫶

Disabled people are deeply underrepresented in civic leadership, and 57% of disabled people experience barriers to civic participation. As National Disability Voting Rights Week continues, we're sharing our Disability & Democracy fact sheet to highlight why disabled people must have seats at the table in all efforts to uphold a democratic society — and what philanthropy can do to ensure disabled participation in democracy. Read the fact sheet today! #DisabilityVote #NDVRW2024 Image description: Purple and black folders stacked on a wooden desk with pens and yellow post-it notes. At the top of the stack of folders is a folder with the Disability & Philanthropy Forum logo that reads Disability and Democracy: What Nonprofits and Funders Need to Know. https://lnkd.in/e9h4n5W8

In the recent Business News WA article, Uniting WA Co-CEOs spoke about how Uniting WA has, over the last five years, transformed our disability services model to embrace a values-focused approach, promoting inclusivity for all. Beyond traditional support, we’ve championed individualised personal support, breaking away from the old narrative that people with disabilities need protection. Our belief is that people with disability should be included in all aspects of community life, Uniting WA’s Co-CEO, Michael Chester, said. Today, our participants are not just supported—they're empowered to start micro-businesses, create original music, master public transport, or cultivate their veggie gardens. Our Co-CEO, Jennifer Park emphasises our commitment: “Our team adopts a strengths-based approach, which means that we focus on all the things people can do, rather than the things they cannot do.” To deliver on this model, Uniting WA committed to training and upskilling team members, offering staff training around consent processes and professional boundaries. We also consult with Befriend Inc, a Perth-based non-profit social enterprise supporting people with disability to integrate into the community. Full Business News article here: https://ow.ly/IpW250Qkt5w

In 2017 when my husband became disabled, we became acutely aware of how unfriendly much of the world still is for disabled individuals. I can't tell you how many times we've tried to visit businesses which are self-described as accessible only to find when we get there there is a "only a small step" outside, which means we're forced to turn around and go home, or best case scenario we enter through the back with the garbage cans (not exactly an appetizing precursor to a date night meal). Despite the many good intentions and improvements the world has made towards accessibility, much of it is misguided or misses the mark completely. A lot of that stems from a misunderstanding of what inclusion actually looks like. This year, I am running the Boston Marathon in support of the Play Brigade, a Massachusetts based charity which advocates for disability inclusion in the areas of healthcare, education, and recreation. In 2024, The Play Brigade is focused 3 major projects. 🍝 Accessibility of Boston area restaurants. Working directly with restaurants who have raised their hands and said "we want to do better!" and helping to educate owners on how to better create spaces which welcome disabled patrons. If you've ever tried to dine in the North End in a wheelchair- you know there is huge opportunity here! ⚾ Accessibility of venues/stadiums. Most stadiums allow wheelchair users to book only ONE "companion" seat next to them. What kind of experience does that create for families looking to have a fun day out together? What is meant to be fun becomes a logistical puzzle splitting families and leaving disabled individuals potentially separated from their family or friends. 📚 Equitable access to education: Many disabled children require nursing care, which leaves them out of the traditional school system, and access to only subpar alternatives. The Play Brigade works directly with Massachusetts’ Office of Long-Term Services and Supports (OLTSS) leadership, and the Department of Early and Secondary Education (DESE) to ensure disabled children are not left behind. As you can see- The Play Brigade is running full force into 2024, but they can't do any of it without financial support from donors. Are you inspired to help? If so, I have some ideas : ) ❤️ You can donate directly to the Play Brigade through the GivenGain platform here: https://lnkd.in/eDrk3zYE 💚 You can ask the company you work for to donate to the Play Brigade. Please reach out to me directly if you go this route and I'll happily supply you with all the necessary tax and address information you will need.

"The Road to Disability Inclusion" offers a collection of stories that shine a spotlight on the power of disability-inclusive philanthropy. In "How Do We Create an Accessible, Tech-Forward World?" writer Sarah Katz highlights the impact of philanthropic organizations providing funding for innovative accessible technology. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/en6Hd3fi Image description: Interconnected map with circuits and lines. The main hub is a light bulb. Assistive tech, prosthetics, devices with large scale mouse, keyboard, check boxes, and video captions, headset, power button, wheelchair joystick, hearing aid, and braille symbol for D to the left. As well as two gears, one with the world in the center. A clock, road, code, message bubbles, emails, home, like button, and signature field to the right. The quote on the image from Sarah Katz says: "Realizing the accessible, tech-forward future that many of us strive to build is not without its challenges. To help achieve this, philanthropists must ask the right questions...Is the inventor disabled and were a diverse subset of people with disabilities consulted?