Ableism is currently a commonly used term and a prominent concept among people who value diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and champion disability rights. But does “ableism” have staying power? Can the ideology it represents permeate the constructed reality of those in society who aren’t concerned with DEI or disability rights?
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Dementia and Alzheimer’s are devastating. I ask that you do just one thing during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and well, every month thereafter…
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Moments of sheer frustration, microaggressions around ableism, having to over-plan, and relying on others have always occurred while I travel. When you encounter deaf or hard of hearing people in your travels, be creative with your approaches and think about how to engage through other types of communication.
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Having a disability doesn’t mean my life is miserable; these are the cards I was dealt. Although sometimes it is hard to just keep swimming, it is even harder swimming against the current of an unsupportive community. Having a disability is not a choice and we don’t choose the cards we are dealt. However, there are many ways to play your reaction to my disability, so play your cards wisely.
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Until she was five years old, Tobiloba Ajayi, the CRO of #LetCPKidsLearn Foundation, Nigeria, didn’t realize she was born with cerebral palsy. Tobi has been confronted with questions about what it means to live with cerebral palsy in Nigeria. In this interview, she tells us her fondest memory of Valentine’s Day, her first heartbreak, and the tough questions she had to ask in relationships as an adult with special needs.
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Accessibility is often overlooked or forgotten in the DEI journey. In order for our DEI and social justice journey to create a positive and sustainable impact on historically marginalized communities, it is crucial to disrupt the perpetuation of ableism.
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People with conditions like mine have a difficult enough time navigating everyday life without also dealing with illegitimate service animals (and their owners) or ride share drivers who don’t have to follow their companies’ own policies. We’re the ones with the most genuine need for this help; too often we’re just being kicked to the curb.
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Living alone isn’t as easy as it seems; there are highs, and there are lows. I’ve only done it for a few years, and there are tasks I need to do each day to make sure that my environment remains safe. “Why?” you ask. Good question. To understand this a bit more, you probably should also know that I identify as being in the deaf and/or hard of hearing world.
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Often when we talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, we list the common groups: race, ethnicity, gender, and sex. Certainly, everyone deserves equity and inclusion. Yet there is one demographic group frequently left off the list: people with disabilities. If your company is striving to foster a welcoming culture and climate that is open to the knowledge, ability, and talents of all diversified populations, are these efforts including employees with disabilities? Here are some services and resources to consider.
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April is Autism Awareness Month, and I wanted to share an experience that I hope brings awareness and promotes further understanding. People have always asked how I got into working with people with autism and specifically for the ARC Chesapeake Central Region, and I would get so excited to answer and share the story with them. There are many people in supporting roles like mine, but we need more, and that means spreading the word and sharing what it means to do what you love. This is a story about how I started meeting people with autism and the many things we have come across along the way.
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As leaders who espouse a culture of inclusion, abundance and who strive to lead ethically, we must make it possible for our employees to beat the odds. The honest truth is: it will take more than a wellness program to shift the policies and procedures leading to that particular impasse. An alternative leadership paradigm that might support leaders in making this shift is a “Servant Leadership” approach.
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Dating is not all that it’s cracked up to be. The older you become, the harder it gets; believe me, I should know. With this shared, I should also mention that I am a deaf and/or hard of hearing woman. Be mindful: If you do find yourself on a date with someone who has a disability, try putting yourself in their shoes. What journey did they take to be sitting across from you at the table? What barriers did they have to navigate to go on this date? Did they reveal their disability to you?
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