Jerry Okiki’s Post

What is ableism? The belief that people with disabilities are inferior to those without disabilities – and that being nondisabled is the standard of "normal living". These beliefs have real world consequences: discrimination, social stigma, and marginalization. We all need to take step to challenge ableism in our communities, workplaces, and within ourselves, so that full inclusion becomes the norm – and not the exception. In honor of Disability Pride Month, here are five ways that you can challenge ableism and be a better ally to the disability community: https://bit.ly/3RVXwnk #LifeworksMN #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth

This is a really thought provoking article. #accessibility #disability #occupationalhealth #OHAW2024

Did you know text messaging was originally created for people with disabilities? What if we took this design-for-disability mindset even further to empower ALL users? Learn more about design thinking and creating positive change in the world in this TedTalk from Elise Roy, When we Design for Accessibility, We all Benefit. What if we design for disability first to create inclusive and better designed products? Elise will help you look at things as a design thinker and innovator. https://buff.ly/2vmqbd8 Join our webinar on inclusive design March 8 at 2pm ET. We’ll share how leading with accessibility strengthens products for everyone, opens opportunities, and moves business forward. Inclusion uplifts society. Learn how to transform your business into a leader of positive progress at this insightful session. Register below! #accessibility #inclusion #designthinking #disability #business #getinspired

Disability isn't a shorthand for resilience. Yes, Disabled people are inspiring. No, Disabled people don't succeed "despite everything" or "against all odds." Disabled people don't "overcome" their disabilities. They overcome disablism. Many of us would like the privilege of just being normal. So, let Disabled people be flawed, unremarkable and disappointing - just like everyone else.  Image description: dark green background with off-white text that says: "Disabled people are not inspiration porn. We’re not superheroes, either." #DisabilityAwareness #Neurodivergent #InclusiveLanguage

It is the height of hypocrisy for disabled people to preach “nothing about us without us” from the rooftops whilst simultaneously attacking and harming the physical and psychological well-being of other disabled people who actually enter these previously exclusive fields in an effort create a more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive society for all people of all abilities, ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures. I, myself, have been attacked for my disability-related research and work with the American Psychological Association, despite my work and efforts to reform research from within to become more accessible and inclusive of disabled people. I know other neurodivergents who have been obliterated for going into ABA. What does inclusion mean anymore? What does "nothing about us without us" mean? Is it no more than a mere buzzword or a phrase meant to garner favour from the algorithm? What is the point of inclusion if all we do is attack and cast out our own community members who have opportunities to change the landscape and nature of various industries? What is the point of inclusion if we do little more than scare disabled people who have aspirations of creating a more inclusive society from within historically ableist industries and institutions? How can we possibly expect change to happen if we deter disabled people, members of our own community, from even beginning to create these very changes? Is inclusion actually something to be feared, knowing as soon as a part of society accepts us, our own community members will begin to ostracise, reject, and hurt us? We, disabled people, can oftentimes be our own biggest barrier as we constantly trip over our own feet and can’t get out of our own way. I am angry and hurt because I know we can do so much better. If 'nothing about us without us' meant anything at all to disabled people, we would be encouraging and supporting the inclusion and representation of our community in ALL realms of society, including those who work within previously inaccessible fields rather than launching personal attacks, insults, threats, and ad homonyms trying to tear down disabled folks. #autism #neurodiversity #education #employment #disability #advocacy #inclusion #dei #intersectionality #communication #customerservice #trauma #stigma #bias #ableism #accommodations #disclosure #research

Join me, Huiying Xu, and Khanh-Thuong Nguyen Pham (Jules) for a Movers Programme workshop on one of my favorite topics - #disabilityinclusion! #PwDs are a part of building the #SDGs. #JointheMovement tomorrow! Click on the link below to learn more!

Dan Harris FRSA made a post on Saturday about the new (?) train seats with ‘not all disabilities are visible’ printed on them. This is amazing progress in acknowledging that it’s not only physical disability that cause physical symptoms or pain. I fear that disabled people will still face discrimination and scrutiny because of ingrained, outdated belief that ‘if your disability was that bad, you would see it’. I know firsthand that this simply isn’t true. have experienced this stigma many times, as I wrote in my book ‘ because my disability is invisible, this fortunately means that I am not treated differently in public, as some people with physical disabilities are. This has both its up and down sides it means that you’re not exposed to the abuse that some people experience in their lives. but it also means that you can struggle to receive the help you need and risk becoming at target for abuse when you genuinely need assistance’. This is one of the reasons why i’m so passionate about advocacy and the deeper understanding for those of us with invisible conditions. Despite a lot of progress being made, invisible disability is still very misunderstood, and needs to be discussed and accommodated more openly for this to continue. Have you been targeted for wearing a sunflower lanyard in public or using disabled services? Let me know. #InvisibleDisability #Neurodiversity #SunflowerLanyard #Equality

Question for you all… Is it time to change the disability symbol? 🤔 The current symbol has been a recognisable representation of disability for decades, but as society evolves, so do our perspectives and the language we use. Many advocate for a more inclusive and empowering symbol that reflects the diversity of the disabled community. Some suggest redesigning the symbol to include various forms of disability, while others believe it should celebrate the capabilities of individuals rather than focus solely on limitations. What do you think? Should we stick with tradition or embrace a new representation that resonates more with today's values? Let’s hear your thoughts! Your voice matters! Share your opinions in the comments below and read more about the topic in our latest blog at https://lnkd.in/eKdAvNEx #DisabilityAwareness #InclusiveDesign #RepresentationMatters #CommunityVoices #ChangeIsPossible

Question for you all… Is it time to change the disability symbol? 🤔 The current symbol has been a recognisable representation of disability for decades, but as society evolves, so do our perspectives and the language we use. Many advocate for a more inclusive and empowering symbol that reflects the diversity of the disabled community. Some suggest redesigning the symbol to include various forms of disability, while others believe it should celebrate the capabilities of individuals rather than focus solely on limitations. What do you think? Should we stick with tradition or embrace a new representation that resonates more with today's values? Let’s hear your thoughts! Your voice matters! Share your opinions in the comments below and read more about the topic in our latest blog at https://lnkd.in/e6sedNuz #DisabilityAwareness #InclusiveDesign #RepresentationMatters #CommunityVoices #ChangeIsPossible

More than anything in the world disabled people want to be recognized as human beings. Many times we are ignored, pushed aside or given excuses for why we can't. Many times during our lives we've been told by others that we can't rather than we can. So, with that being said, how do you interact with disabled people? The answer isn't ooverly complicated at all or complex. Treat and interact with disabled people like you would anyone else. We have interests, hobbies, dreams and goals just like everyone else. Ask about us as people not just our disability. Many times we don't want another discussion discussing our disability. Many times we'll spin our disability into whatever we are discussing 'because it comes with the discussion. This is not to say that you can't ask but don't let the disability encompass the entire conversation. #LivedExperience #DisabledButCapable #HumanBeing #DisabilityAdvocate #ChangeMaker #BeTheChange