Niasha Fray Consulting LLC’s Post

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diverse experiences of people with disabilities. Recently, I learned that each color in the Disability Pride flag holds special meaning: 🔴 Physical disabilities like chronic pain, mobility issues, and limb loss. 🟡 Neurodiversity, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. ⚪️ Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. 🔵 Emotional & psychiatric disabilities such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 🟢 Sensory disabilities, including hearing and visual impairments, deafness, blindness, and loss of smell or taste. ⚫️ The black background serves as a solemn reminder of those lost to disability-related violence, abuse, or neglect, symbolizing our ongoing fight against mistreatment. Diagonal band: Breaks down barriers, showing our united effort to ensure that people with disabilities fully participate and are included in society. Together, let's continue advocating so that no person with a disability gets left behind. #DisabilityPrideMonth #Disability #Inclusion #InvisibleIllness #advocate

The Disability Pride flag was designed by Ann Magill, the current version having been updated as of 2021. Here is what the design and colors of the flag symbolize in Ann’s own words: Having All Six "Standard" Flag Colors: signifying that Disability Community is pan-national, spanning borders between states and nations. -The Black Field: Mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse -The Diagonal Band: "Cutting across" the walls and barriers that separate the disabled from normate society, also light and creativity cutting through the darkness -The White Stripe: Invisible and Undiagnosed Disabilities -The Red Stripe: Physical Disabilities -The Gold Stripe: Neurodivergence -The Blue Stripe: Psychiatric Disabilities --The Green Stripe: Sensory Disabilities #ChicagoTransitAuthority #WeMoveChicago #IAmTransitTalent #DisabilityPrideMonth #HR #Transit 

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth! Another Pride? Again? Yes, we all definitely need to be aware about the Disability Pride, which takes place in July every year since 1990 to celebrate the passing of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) - now with an impact going beyond the US. According to the CDC research, up to 1 in 4 adults in the US have some kind of disability - and I am pretty much sure that the percentage may be similar in Europe. The usual image of disabled persons is someone on the wheelchair, or with brain damage or with genetic syndromes. Here is the news: a large number of disabilities do not present with visible signs! The disability pride flag was beautifully designed in 2019 by Ann Magill, who in 2021 renewed it to make it even more accessible. The flag acknowledges that disability may come in various shapes: 💚 Green is for sensory disabilities. 💙 Blue represents emotional and psychiatric disabilities.  💮 White stands for non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities. 💛 Gold is for neurodiversity. ❤️ Red represents physical disabilities. The stripes stand on a faded charcoal black background which commemorates disabled people who died because of ableism, violence, illness or suicide. It also represents rage and protest against the mistreatment of the disabled community. As a member of the neurodivergent community, I am supporting the Disability Pride month and encourage you to do the same. I make my pledge to include disability in conversations about inclusion and equity (let me add: in conversations, generally speaking) and speak up against discrimination. Happy #DisabilityPrideMonth everyone!! #DisabilityPride #neurodiversity #neurodivergents #ADHD #disabilityawareness #youareseen

🌟 It's Disability Pride Month 2024! 🌟 July (and every other month 👀) is about highlighting the diversity, strength, and resilience of the disabled community. Disability comes in all shapes and sizes. Some disabilities are easy to spot, while others are hidden. Remember, not all disabilities are visible. From chronic pain to mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and neurodiversity like autism and ADHD, everyone's unique and deserves respect. Here are some ways you can show support to the disabled community: 📖 Educate Yourself: Learn about different disabilities and neurodiversities. Understanding leads to empathy and support. 👐 Make Things Accessible: Let's make sure our workplaces, events, and online spaces are accessible to everyone. Accessibility is a must, not a choice. ✊🏾Push for Inclusion: Stand up for inclusive policies that help people with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard and included! 🦻🏽 Listen and Show Support: Be there for those with disabilities and neurodivergences. Listen, validate their experiences, and show empathy. 🎉 Celebrate Wins: Shout out to all the achievements and contributions made by individuals with disabilities and neurodiversities. They make our communities and workplaces better! Let's take this month to think about how we can make the world a more inclusive and fairer place for everyone. By embracing all kinds of diversity, we can create stronger, kinder communities. 🌈💪 #DisabilityPrideMonth #Inclusion #Accessibility #InvisibleDisabilities #Neurodiversity #Diversity #Equity #WhatTheEll #VirtualAssistant #AdminSupport #BusinessAdmin

🌟 It's Disability Pride Month 2024! 🌟 July (and every other month 👀) is about highlighting the diversity, strength, and resilience of the disabled community. Disability comes in all shapes and sizes. Some disabilities are easy to spot, while others are hidden. Remember, not all disabilities are visible. From chronic pain to mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and neurodiversity like autism and ADHD, everyone's unique and deserves respect. Here are some ways you can show support to the disabled community: 📖 Educate Yourself: Learn about different disabilities and neurodiversities. Understanding leads to empathy and support. 👐 Make Things Accessible: Let's make sure our workplaces, events, and online spaces are accessible to everyone. Accessibility is a must, not a choice. ✊🏾Push for Inclusion: Stand up for inclusive policies that help people with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard and included! 🦻🏽 Listen and Show Support: Be there for those with disabilities and neurodivergences. Listen, validate their experiences, and show empathy. 🎉 Celebrate Wins: Shout out to all the achievements and contributions made by individuals with disabilities and neurodiversities. They make our communities and workplaces better! Let's take this month to think about how we can make the world a more inclusive and fairer place for everyone. By embracing all kinds of diversity, we can create stronger, kinder communities. 🌈💪 #DisabilityPrideMonth #Inclusion #Accessibility #InvisibleDisabilities #Neurodiversity #Diversity #Equity #WhatTheEll #VirtualAssistant #AdminSupport #BusinessAdmin

Amazing Olympic Ski Medalist and author Bonnie St. John reminded me that today is the anniversary of the #ADA Although The Americans With Disabilities Act was established before the Internet, it does now apply. 96.3% of the top million homepages did not comply with ADA standards in 2023. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the de facto standard for digital accessibility. If you do one thing today, learn more: https://lnkd.in/e8BEFk29 Accessible websites benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. #compliance #disabilityadvocate #digitalmarketing

What is a Direct Support Professional? From the title alone, it may not seem clear, but unpack it, and you'll understand why it's so important to recognize and celebrate the men and women who dedicate their careers to supporting people with disabilities. Direct Support Professionals are more than just caregivers – they are mentors, advocates, and champions of independence. They work tirelessly to ensure individuals with disabilities have the support they need to live fulfilling, empowered lives. Whether it’s providing daily assistance, fostering community inclusion, or helping someone achieve their personal goals, DSPs go beyond tasks – they build relationships, create trust, and enable those they serve to thrive. Despite their crucial role, DSPs are often under-recognized and underpaid. As we celebrate #DirectSupportProfessionalsWeek, let’s raise awareness about the true impact of their work, advocate for better compensation, and invest in their professional development. Without them, many of the programs that promote independence and dignity for people with disabilities wouldn’t be possible. Let’s take a moment to appreciate and uplift the DSPs who stand alongside the individuals we serve every day. These unsung heroes deserve our recognition and support now more than ever. #DSPs #DirectSupportProfessionals #InclusionMatters #DisabilityAdvocacy #arcbroward Arc Broward

Do you work at a school, manage a workplace or are a part of a community group? I'm currently keen for more opportunities to speak in front of an audience, help them become better allies for people with disabilities, and ultimately, play their part in creating a more inclusive world. I offer training and can run workshops to help people become better allies for people with disabilities and give them tips and strategies to help them comfortably approach an interaction with someone with a disability. I am open to speaking to any audience, I have a current Working With Children's Check and can travel within the Melbourne area as well as further afield if need be. As a young adult living with a disability, I know how underrepresented voices like mine are when we hear from the disability community. By giving me opportunities to speak, you’ll be helping me achieve my dream of educating people on how to bring about a more inclusive world for everyone living with a disability. There are a few ways that you can book me in to speak: 1) Email me at satriawrites@gmail.com. 2) Request a proposal through my Linkedin. 3) Send me a Direct Message on Instagram or Facebook From there, we can discuss what I can do to tailor a workshop/training session to your needs as an organisation. Nothing means more to me than creating a more inclusive environment for everyone living with a disability, so I would be grateful for any opportunity that I can get to speak in front of an audience. Image Description: A close-up of Satria in a blue shirt smiling at the camera in front of a TV showing unreadable text on a PowerPoint with a green border.

📣 July is #DisabilityPrideMonth and today marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act - this is a great time to amplify the achievements, innovation, and resilience of the disability community while recognizing the challenges we face in our daily lives. Whether you can create change on a grand scale or within your own sphere, everyone can contribute to a more inclusive and accessible world. Here are some ways you can move beyond platitudes and actually take real, concrete steps: ⭐️ Become informed: Educate yourself about various disabilities and the lived experiences of those communities. Connect with a local disability support agency or advocacy group and find out how you can best support their efforts. 🔎 Examine your biases: Unconscious biases exist in all of us. Challenge your assumptions about ability and actively create welcoming spaces that are truly accessible to everyone. 🫶 Show your support: Although they are often at the forefront of inclusion and accessibility innovation, many entrepreneurs with disabilities experience discrimination from funders, employees, and customers. By supporting their businesses, we contribute to a more diverse and inclusive economy. #InclusiveSpaces #InclusionMatters #DisabilityIncusion

I spent some time reflecting on what Disability Pride Month means to me, to our community, and to libraries. I struggled with how to express my thoughts. Should I share my own experiences? Should I discuss invisible disabilities or mental health challenges? Or perhaps focus on the broader context? Ultimately, I decided to address the fear and hesitation that often accompany conversations about disabilities, whether they are mental, physical, emotional, or invisible. Talking openly about disabilities can be daunting for many reasons. At work, we might fear being perceived as less capable or being treated differently by our colleagues. At home, we may worry about burdening our loved ones or facing misunderstanding and stigma. In broader social contexts, discussing disabilities can evoke feelings of vulnerability and anxiety about judgment or exclusion. This fear can prevent us from seeking the support and accommodations we need, and it can hinder the creation of a more inclusive and understanding community. Yet, it is precisely these conversations that can foster empathy, break down misconceptions, and pave the way for meaningful change. By acknowledging these fears, we can encourage more open and compassionate dialogue about disabilities in all their forms. Let’s use this Disability Pride Month as an opportunity to listen, learn, and support each other more fully. #DisabilityPrideMonth #InclusionMatters #InvisibleDisabilities #MentalHealthAwareness #BreakTheStigma #SupportAndEmpathy #DisabilityAwareness #InclusiveCommunity #Empowerment #DisabilityPride2024 #AccessibilityForAll • Ruth Rathblott, MSW