Starkloff Disability Institute’s Post

Learn about the history of Disability Pride Month in today's blog.

To kick off disability pride month I’ve started a blog focusing on disability justice, the intersection of race and disability, and anti-oppression! My first post focuses on the history and everlasting need for disability inclusion. Please let me know what you think and if there are any topics you’re eager to read about! https://lnkd.in/gQu_w4US

The Power of Words: Shaping Disability Perceptions Through Inclusive Language https://lnkd.in/g3kGfi9S Dr. Kirk Adams emphasizes the importance of inclusive language in advocating for disability rights. Learn how the social model of disability, respectful terminology, and listening to disabled voices can help foster a more empowering, inclusive world.

There’s no #DisabilityJustice (DJ) without queer and trans disabled people of global majority. Happy Pride 🌈🤟🏽 June (I'm reminded it's July, it's disability pride everyday though 😊 ) is Disability Pride Month in Turtle Island (present day United States of America) and global Pride Month celebrating sexual and gender diversity. Disability Justice as a framework was coined by queer and trans disabled people of African, Asian and otherwise indigenous descent. Disability rights as an approach is mainly rooted in a rights based approach in line with global human rights provisions. Global often translates to Caucasian. Colonial projects such as chattel slavery, organised religions and eugenics have been the basis on which those who stand to benefit from a Disability Justice approach have had our humanity questioned. Disability Justice is not just a disability issue. Learn more about Disability Justice here;

DYK the significance of the Disability Pride Flag? Our slider below unpacks the meaning for you & more... Why is this important to understand? B/c its Disability Pride Month and we all have a responsibility to combat ableism. ❗ Ableism - is a form of discrimination that places value on certain abilities over others. It means that bodies and minds are held to a standard based on what is considered "normal" or "able" in society. 💡 Because of ableism, people with disabilities are often isolated, less likely to be able to participate in community activities, and experience a myriad of barriers limiting their access to social, work and community activities. 💡 This can result in fewer job opportunities, lower average incomes, higher poverty rates and financial instability. 📣 To honour Disability Pride, I encourage you to reframe your thinking about Disability. Disability IS diversity. 🤝 Consider the Social Model of Disability which regards disability as resulting from external factors like the environmental barriers and discriminatory attitudes. i.e., People with disabilities are only disabled by the world in which they live in which was not designed to work for them. This changes our thinking and reinforces that it is all of our responsibility and within our power, to build equity and accessibility in our workplaces & beyond. #DisabilityPrideMonth #SocialModelofDisability #DisabilityInclusion #Disability #Equity #Belonging #Inclusion

Did you know that July marks Disability Pride Month? We are proud to stand with the disabled community, advocating for inclusion, accessibility, and equality. Public Health England outline that disabled people make up a significant minority within England: one in five of the population are disabled. They also state that disabled people experience disproportionately higher rates of domestic abuse. Not only do disabled people experience higher rates of #DomesticAbuse, but they also experience more barriers to accessing support, such as health and social care services and domestic abuse services. Disabled people also experience domestic abuse for longer periods of time, and more severe and frequent abuse than non-disabled people. Disability Pride Month is not just about awareness but also about creating a more inclusive world, and more inclusive services, for all. It’s crucial that we carry the energy of Disability Pride Month all year round. How are you marking #DisabilityPrideMonth? Let us know! 

#PrideDisabilityMonth is here, and there are many impactful ways to support people living with disabilities in our community. Here are some suggestions to consider: 1. Respect and Empathy: Treat everyone with the same respect and dignity. Avoid making assumptions about their abilities or needs. 2. Offer Assistance (But Always Ask First): If you see someone struggling, offer help, but ask if they need assistance first. Respect their response, as they may prefer to handle things independently. 3. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about different disabilities and the challenges faced by disabled individuals. 4. Include Them in Activities: Ensure that people with disabilities are included in community events and social gatherings. Make sure these activities are accessible and adaptable to different needs. 5. Advocate for Disability Rights: Support local and national disability advocacy organizations and push for inclusive policies and practices. #PrideDisabilityMonth #Ucaa

July is Disability Pride Month! Did you know that people with disabilities make up roughly 15% of the world’s population?! Each colour of the Disability Pride flag represents a different branch of the disability community. ❤️ = Physical disabilities. 💛 = Neurodiversity. 🤍 = Invisible disabilities and non diagnosis. 💙 = Mental illness. 💚 = Sensory disabilities (blindness/deafness). 🖤 = Representation for victims of ableist violence and abuse. Why do we need Disability Pride Month? Because we need to recognise people with a disability for who they truly are. We don’t need pity. We need to be celebrated for our achievements, despite our struggles. We need to celebrate the strengths and the weaknesses and really embrace diversity! It’s sad to think that ableism is so deeply embedded in the attitudes of today’s society. Knowing how difficult it is to change this perspective, we will continue to push forward for the sake of inclusion. This is a chance to educate, to stand up and ensure that our voices are heard, to foster change and to advocate for disability rights! #disabilitypride #disabilitypridemonth #accessibility #disabilityawareness #inclusion #advocacy #motorsport #f1fans #eventaccessibility #motorsportfans

Civil rights are often gained and enforced via litigation. Check out this interview with the amazing Rebecca Williford, President and CEO of Disability Rights Advocates!

🌈 Celebrating Disability Pride Month: A Powerful Poem by Jadon Lau 🦽 As we honor Disability Pride Month, I'm moved to share a profound poem by Jadon Lau, a talented intern at Bold Blind Beauty. Lau's words eloquently capture the essence of the Disability Pride flag and its significance to our community. The poem explores the symbolism of each color: • Black: Our endured struggles • Blue: Mental, emotional, and invisible disabilities • White: Hidden disabilities • Gold: Neurodiversity • Red: Physical and visible disabilities • Green: Sensory differences Lau's powerful message resonates: "We are not broken, we are not damaged, we are not less than. We are strong, we are capable, we are beautiful." This is a poignant reminder of the importance of inclusivity, understanding, and celebrating diversity in our workplaces and communities. I encourage you to listen to the full poem (YouTube link) and reflect on how we can create more inclusive environments for all. Jadon Lau https://lnkd.in/eUrb-Vbb #DisabilityPrideMonth #Inclusion #Diversity #WorkplaceCulture #Accessibility What steps is your organization taking to support and celebrate disability pride? Let's discuss this in the comments below.