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Note from BC2M

This presentation includes material that may be more difficult for some of us to engage with. That's OK. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, in any way, and for any reason, please take liberties to remove yourself from the space and find someone you trust to talk to.

With love, BC2M

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Disability:

A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

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According to the CDC, Up to 1 in 4 (27 percent) adults in the United States have some type of disability.

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Disabilities can be:

Temporary & Permanent

Visible & Invisible

Born with or Acquired

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Effects of a Disability

Persons living with a disability usually experience an impact in one or more of the following areas:

Cognition

Mobility

Independent Living

Hearing

Vision

Self-care

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Reflection Questions

What personal experience do you have with disability, either with your own lived experience, within your family, or in your community?

What is your reaction when you see a person with a disability?

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The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.

INCLUSION:

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FAIR TREATMENT

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

ACCESSIBILITY

INCLUSION OF THE DISABLED COMMUNITY INVOLVES:

REMOVING STIGMA

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FAIR TREATMENT

THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND GUARANTEES EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

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Ex: Hallways are free of equipment and other barriers

Ex. Parking spaces are close to entrances

Accessibility is when the needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered, and products, services, and facilities are built or modified so that they can be used by people of all abilities. Here are a few examples of accessibility:

ACCESSIBILITY

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Examples:

Differentiated Instruction

Assistive Technology

The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the physical environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

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Unfortunately, many tend to believe that people with disabilities are unhealthy or less capable of doing things (stigma, stereotypes).

Sometimes the biggest barrier for a disabled person to overcome is the stigma perpetuated by others

REMOVING STIGMA

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DON'T ASSUME. JUST ASK.

Best practice is to ask the person

you're talking to what language they

use to refer to their disability.

Be mindful of what words you use.

Also ask if they need accommodations,

and always speak directly to them.

How to talk about Disability

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Person-First vs. Identity-First Language

Individuals with disabilities are people first and foremost.
Person-first language emphasizes the person
and removes focus from the condition.
A person is not defined by their disability.
Used in professional and medical fields.

Many disabled individuals use identity-first language because their disability is an important part of their lived-experience.
Identity-first language is used to claim and celebrate disability pride.
Used in the Disability communities.

Person-First

Identity-First

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CHECKING FOR BIAS

BELOW ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF MINDSETS AND ASSUMPTIONS THAT TEND TO PERPETUATE THE STIGMA THAT NEEDS TO BE ELIMINATED

Believing people with disabilities have less value and worth

Assuming they want to be “healed” or can “overcome” a disability

Suggesting they’re “inspirational” for handling everyday activities and routine tasks

Assuming they can’t do things for themselves

Using words like “normal” and “healthy” to describe non-disabled people

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KEYS TO REMEMBER

Do not use language that suggests the lack of something

Emphasize abilities, not limitations

Emphasize the need for accessibility, not the disability

Do not use offensive language

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The most important thing to remember when you interact with people with disabilities is that they are people. Their disability is just one of the many characteristics they have. People with disabilities have the same needs we all do: first and foremost among them is to be treated with dignity and respect.

Remember...

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References

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-strategies.html

https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/sites.psu.edu/dist/f/131177/files/2021/03/DIS-Disability-101-Presentation.pdf

https://www.respectability.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/RA-Culture-of-Inclusion-Webinar-10-31-19-FINAL.pptx

https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/publications/fact-sheets/employment-laws-disability-and-discrimination#:~:text=The%20Americans%20with%20Disabilities%20Act,local%20government%20services%2C%20and%20telecommunications.

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32276#:~:text=The%20most%20important%20thing%20to,treated%20with%20dignity%20and%20respect.

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HTTPS://WWW.CRISISTEXTLINE.ORG/GET-HELP/EMOTIONAL-ABUSE

TEXT "BC2M" TO 741741

CRISIS TEXT LINE

988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

CALL 988 OR 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

HTTPS://988LIFELINE.ORG/TALK-TO-SOMEONE-NOW/

HTTP://LOCATOR.APA.ORG/

FIND A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST IN YOUR AREA

HTTPS://WWW.LOVEISRESPECT.ORG/GET-RELATIONSHIP-HELP/

CALL 1-866.331.9474

TEXT "LOVEIS" TO 22522

LOVE IS RESPECT NATIONAL DATING ABUSE HELPLINE

HTTPS://WWW.THETREVORPROJECT.ORG/GET-HELP/

CALL 1-866-488-7386

TEXT "START" TO 678678

THE TREVOR PROJECT

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

CALL 1-877-SAMHSA (1-877-726-4727).

HTTPS://WWW.SAMHSA.GOV/

General Mental Health Resources