What issues do disabled people face in society?
Accessibility issues:
- No physical access to buildings, i.e., no ramp, lift, handrails or automatic doors, etc.
- Inadequate signage in buildings and open spaces, i.e., no braille on room signs, text that is hard to read for neurodivergent people, etc.
- No access to hearing loops or sign language interpreters in classrooms, lecture halls, conferences, etc.
- Lack of access to safe and necessary spaces, i.e., toilets, calm/wellbeing rooms, etc.
Inclusion issues:
- Negative attitudes towards disabled people, i.e., bullying in school/workplace, expressions of pity, disproportionate domestic violence, etc.
- Stereotypes that impact disabled people, i.e., the pity or tragedy tropes that exist in media.
- Assumptions made about abilities and skills, i.e., rejected from a job on the basis of assumptions about disability, excluded from a friends trip because of assumptions, etc.
- Economic exclusion leading to poverty, i.e., disabled people often have to live on benefits or become self employed to survive, poverty prevents disabled people from having "normal" life experiences like holidays and days out.
These are only a few of the issues that disabled people face on a daily basis.
By increasing your understanding of and experience with disabled people we can start to tackle these issues and make positive social change.
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Disability can be confusing to non-disabled people. I know that many people haven't asked me questions about my disability because they're scared to say the wrong thing. This where my workshops and talks can help you out. I cover the basics of what disability is, language to use around disability, and how and when to ask disabled people questions.
You can also follow my blogging on Medium where I write a lot about the disability experience from my perspective.
You can also follow my on social media where I give daily insights into disability and limb difference (my disability). It is also a chance for you to ask any questions you might have, either publicly or through DM.
Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn.