Disability groups in New Hampshire are calling for an end to the word "special" to describe people with disabilities. They said terms like "special" or "special needs" imply people are somehow broken and undermine the long-term fight for disability rights. Isadora Rodríguez-Legendre, MSW, executive director of the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities, said when people ask not to be called a certain word, it should be reason enough not to use it. "It really is a label that kids and adults with disabilities found to be alienating," Rodriguez-Legendre explained. "Because it kept them apart and separate." Rodriguez-Legendre pointed out a new public awareness campaign encourages people to visit the website stopspecial.org and read a more appropriate language guide. Nearly one of every eight New Hampshire residents has a disability. Backers of the "Stop Special" campaign said language is evolving and such euphemisms as "special needs" or "special education" need correction. Rodriguez-Legendre emphasized students should simply be called "students," or even "students with disabilities." She understands it will not be an easy change, especially for those who work with laws and regulations but added the goal is to ensure equitable access to education and public spaces. "Communities actually are better when people with disabilities are participating in them, because they bring awareness about how to make things more accessible for everybody," Rodriguez-Legendre contended. The "Stop Special" campaign is backed by the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, the Disability Rights Center of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. #StopSpecial #disabilityrights
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Did you know? July is celebrated as Disability Pride Month? Why I am asking this is because there is a lack of representation as well as consideration towards “disability” as an issue. Disability Pride Month commemorates the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, the first legislation in the world to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, and access to services. That same year, Boston held its first pride march. Initially observed in the US, the month resonated globally, fostering solidarity within the disability community. This month is a time for people with disabilities to reflect on their journeys, acknowledging the barriers of inaccessibility, ableism, and discrimination they've overcome. Disability Pride Month is all about acceptance. It encourages us to accept it as one of many identities. It encourages everyone to engage with the disability community, learn its history, and bring disability into mainstream discussions beyond small communities and disabled people. #DisabilityPrideMonth #InclusionMatters #AccessibilityForAll #ADAAnniversary #DisabilityAwareness #RepresentationMatters #BreakingBarriers #CelebrateDiversity #EqualRights #DisabilityCommunity #OvercomingAbleism #DisabilityHistory #Solidarity #Acceptance #DisabilityIdentity
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Today is the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The anniversary of the ADA falls during Disability Pride Month: a time to recognize the contributions and achievements of people with disabilities and advocate for a more inclusive world. 💙 We have come a long way with disability rights in the United States, but there's still more progress to be made. More than 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability, according to the CDC. Around 85% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed (via The Arc). This month – and every month – it's important to remember that not all disabilities are visible, and disability rights are civil rights. At Goodwill NNE, we are fierce advocates for people with disabilities. We help folks get work and integrate into their communities every day through our disability services. Learn more on our website, https://lnkd.in/eP3iCbQF #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityAwareness #MoreThanJustAStore #GoodwillNNE
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July is Disability Pride Month. Disability is far too often used as an excuse to treat disabled children and parents as inherently unfit. We reject narratives that treat youth disability as a problem to be solved or managed. Disabled youth—like all youth—must receive the support they need within their homes and their communities rather than in pathologizing, carceral, congregate settings. We recognize and celebrate the many Black and Brown and trans and queer activists who founded and are at the forefront of the disability justice movement—a movement that pushes us to examine our beliefs about disabled people and to work toward a future where communities center cross-disability access that meets people where they are and provides the supports they need to thrive. We recognize that to truly make the aims of this movement a reality, we must embrace disability justice as a framework for transformation. Policies and budgets nationwide and at the state and local level must increase access and opportunity for people with disabilities. We must also examine the role of racial capitalism in creating and upholding systems that value people based on their ability to produce rather than on their inherent worth as people. We commit as an organization to fight for that future in our work, and to challenge ourselves internally to be an accessible, inclusive, and affirming work environment for people with disabilities.
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Today is National Disability Independence Day! In the United States, July 26 marks the annual recognition of National Disability Independence Day, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990. Introduced in 1988, the ADA builds on the progress of the Rehabilitation Act. July is a time to celebrate Disability Pride. Did you know 1 in 4 Americans identifies as disabled? Mental health conditions can be both a disability and a result of living with a disability. Globally, people with disabilities make up 15% of the population, representing all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. This month, we honor the identities, culture, and contributions of people with disabilities. Let's recognize that disability is a natural part of human diversity. While we've made progress, there is still more to do for true equality. Let's continue pushing for inclusion, accessibility, and support for all. #DisabilityPride #ADA #Inclusion #Accessibility #SupportForAll #MakeAnImpact
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Every year in July, Disability Pride Month is celebrated to recognize the accomplishments, fortitude, and strength of people with disabilities, including disability-owned businesses like Synterex. Disability Pride Month began in 1990, the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The ADA is a historic piece of legislation that safeguards the rights of those with disabilities. That same year, Boston hosted the first Disability Pride Day, a significant turning point in the history of the disability rights movement. In July 2015, Disability Pride Month was officially recognized, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the ADA. Since then, communities across the country have embraced this month with parades, events, and activities that promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. Disability Pride Month serves as a platform to celebrate the diversity and contributions of people with disabilities, challenge stigma and discrimination, and advocate for equal opportunities and accessibility in all aspects of life. It's a time to amplify the voices of the disability community, foster dialogue, and work toward a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive. Learn more about disability rights here: https://lnkd.in/gBBb4ZNY #DisabilityPrideMonth #ADA #Inclusion #AreYouIn #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityRepresentation
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Disability Pride Month honors achievements and contributions by people with disabilities, invites those without disabilities to embrace the important insights and skills that people with disabilities bring to the table, and supports the movement for a more inclusive society. It's about understanding that a disability is not what defines you; rather, it's a component of one's identity. Highlighted in July to coincide with the passing of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this historic law removed obstacles to social inclusion in our community. ADA forbids discrimination against individuals with disabilities in a number of contexts, such as employment, public accommodations, transportation, communication, and state and local government services and programs. Disability Pride Month provides those who have disabilities with the opportunity to unite, share their stories, and encourage others to have the courage to be their authentic self. As we commemorate Disability Pride Month in July, we strive to raise awareness, dispel stigmas, and advance disability rights. Actions you can take to support disability pride: * Share your experience with disability in the comments below! * Learn disability etiquette * Learn about the history and experiences of those with disabilities * Support organizations that prioritize a diverse workforce * Be an ally! #ADA34 #ThanksToTheADA #GGWDIsabilityPride #DisabilityPride
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As Matan celebrates #Disability Independence Day, we are taking a moment to reflect on the progress in disability rights and inclusion, and recommit to creating a more inclusive world for all Jews. We remain inspired by Matan's mission to foster disability inclusion in our communities. We focus on the crucial reality: 20% of the population has some form of disability. That's one in five people often excluded from fully participating in community life. Matan's vision aligns perfectly with the Disability Independence Day spirit. We know our communities are only as strong as our ability to include individuals with and without disabilities and rise to the challenge today and every day to view inclusion as fundamental to building thriving, diverse communities. By empowering community leaders and educators through training and coaching, Matan provides essential tools for meaningful inclusion. This approach ensures communities can create purposeful, enriching experiences for people with disabilities and their families. Moving forward, let's commit to: 📌 Recognizing and addressing exclusion 📌 Advocating for inclusive policies 📌 Educating ourselves about disability rights 📌 Creating opportunities for meaningful participation for all By prioritizing inclusion, we support independence for people with disabilities and enrich our entire Jewish community. Today, let's celebrate progress and renew our commitment to building a more inclusive world. #DisabilityIndependenceDay #Inclusion #Accessibility #Education
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🌟 Disability Pride Month is about ensuring that no person with a disability is left behind. Pride in our community means working every day to build an inclusive world in all aspects of life—learning, work, play, community, travel, and more! Too often, people with disabilities are isolated, disrespected, and ignored. While we have made great progress in our fight for disability rights, there is still so much to do. Thanks to your generous support, we are: 🔹 Challenging school districts to do better, as more than half are not meeting special education requirements. For instance, we filed a lawsuit in Washington, DC, where kids with disabilities are missing up to 90 days of school due to bussing issues. 🔹 Advocating for stronger legal protections of disability rights, as surveys show that 52% of people believe a person’s rights can be limited based on ability. 🔹 Changing outdated and unfair policies, like people with disabilities losing critical benefits when they get married. 🔹 Securing more funding so people’s lives are not put on hold, waiting years for disability support services. Together, we can make a difference! #DisabilityPrideMonth #InclusionMatters #DisabilityRights #Advocacy #EqualRights #SupportAndInclusion #InclusiveCommunity #TheArcofSC
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Wondering how to be a part of Disability Pride Month? Wally Tablit, our Chief Disability Inclusion Officer, suggests these actions: ▷ Share the lived experience! If you are a person with a disability, or know someone who is, share the story of your experience with the community. ▷ Learn more about the disabled community! Meet someone with a disability. The more you know about a person with a disability - their truth and lived experience - the more you can be a part of impactful change. ▷ Educate yourself on the disability rights and justice movement. Watch and read media that has been created by and with people with disabilities such as Crip Camp, CODA, Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau and Disability Visibility by Alice Wong. ▷ Reach out to elected officials. Find out who your legislators are and connect to help educate them about policies that harm or strengthen the quality of life for people with disabilities. ▷ If you are an employer, hire someone with a disability! According to the Department of Labor, as of May 2024, only 38.3% of persons with a disability are employed. Many want to work and have skills to contribute, and research shows that disability inclusion is a proven good business decision. [ ID: A graphic with the diagonal colored stripes of the disability pride flag. In the lower left corner is a circle with an R, a Relay Resources logo. ] #DisabilityPrideMonth #ADA #DisabilityPride #InclusionOfficer #PDX #Portland #RelayResources
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Did you know July is Disability Pride Month? It originated in the USA, following the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990 and aims to remove negative perceptions of disability, raise awareness of the challenges of an inaccessible world, celebrate the achievements, and amplify the voices of the Disabled community. Disability Pride Month is a global event and a great opportunity to learn more about the history of the Disability Rights Movement. #DisabilityRightsMovement #DisabledHistory #DisabilityPrideMonth #Accessibility #AccessibilityForAll Image Description: An illustrated group of 4 casually dressed people with different disabilities; two with artificial limbs, one who is blind and a wheelchair user. All are smiling, 3 are waving. A sparkly blue and orange sky with a yellow-orange sun is behind them. A text banner above them reads "Disability Pride Month". The background is the Disability Pride Flag. It has a dark grey background with 5 diagonal stripes from top left to bottom right corner. From top to bottom, the stripes are green, blue, white, yellow and pink.
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