Patrick Garvin’s Post

What’s on your reading list? I hope you will join me in reading or re-reading some books that are foundational in understanding diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. ALL areas of representation involve these emphases. Feel free to use the comments to add to the list!

I often share books I like in team meetings, particularly books that are meaningful regarding disability rights, technology, accessibility, and design. But it's been a minute since I've shared these books with my network, so I'd like to share my top 5 books that I think will help you learn about these subjects. 📚 1. Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau is an approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people. It is a must-read for everyone, especially those who are interested in disability language, etiquette, and conversations. 2. Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century, edited by Alice Wong. Disability rights activist Alice Wong edited this anthology, which sheds light on the experience of life as an individual with disabilities, as told by authors with these life experiences. 3. Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design is by Kat Holmes, one of the founding team members who worked on Microsoft's Inclusive Design toolkit. This is a valuable way to re-frame design thinking to become "inclusive design thinking." 4. What Can a Body Do?: How We Meet the Built World by Sara Hendren. In a series of vivid stories drawn from the lived experience of disability and the ideas and innovations that have emerged from it—from cyborg arms to customizable cardboard chairs to Deaf architecture—Sara Hendren invites us to rethink the things and settings we live with. 5. Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement by Ashley Shew. To forge a more equitable world, Shew argues that we must eliminate "technoableism"—the harmful belief that technology is a "solution" for disability, that the disabled simply await being "fixed" by technological wizardry, and that making society more accessible and equitable is somehow a lesser priority. If you want to mention any books, add them to the comments! 🙂 Image alt: A stack of books against a typewriter including Demystifying Disability, Against Technoableism, Disability Visibility, Mismatch, and What Can a Body Do?

Trying to get your summer reading list together? Here are a few recommended books….

Adding to this list by Anna Cook - For a disability perspective with a powerful mix of history, design, and social/political imperatives I strongly recommend the book Building Access by Aimi Hamraie (Aimi H.) https://lnkd.in/eeXCpqpe

🔍 "Nothing About Us Without Us": The Cornerstone of Disability Rights 🌟 This powerful phrase has revolutionized how we approach disability rights and inclusion. Let's dive into its significance: 1️⃣ Origins in Activism: While the concept has deeper historical roots, it gained prominence in the disability rights movement in the 1990s. A pivotal moment? The 1993 conference in Canada where South African activists Michael Masutha and William Rowland introduced it to the global stage. 2️⃣ Enshrined in Convention: The phrase became central to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2006. It's not just a slogan, but a guiding principle ensuring that persons with disabilities are active participants in developing policies that affect their lives. 3️⃣ What it Means in Practice: ➡️Direct involvement of people with disabilities in decision-making ➡️Representation in policy development and implementation ➡️Empowerment and self-determination in all aspects of life 4️⃣ Canadian Innovation: Former Canadian Minister of Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, proposed an even bolder stance: "Nothing Without Us." This emphasizes that inclusion should be the default, not an afterthought. 5️⃣ Global Impact: This principle has influenced disability rights legislation worldwide, reshaping how governments and organizations approach accessibility and inclusion. The message is clear: Meaningful inclusion means active participation, not just consultation. It's about recognizing the expertise that comes from lived experience. Question for you: How can we better implement "Nothing About Us Without Us" in our workplaces and communities? Share your thoughts! 👇 - - - #DisabilityRights #CRPD

Title: Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Embracing Inclusivity Everywhere https://lnkd.in/gdeJ_aQE July is Disability Pride Month—a time to celebrate the diversity and contributions of people with disabilities worldwide. It’s more than just a month; it’s a call for continuous inclusivity in our workplaces and educational settings. Why Disability Pride Month Matters Originating alongside the ADA in 1990, Disability Pride Month promotes awareness and fights against ableism. It’s a reminder to embrace everyone’s talents and ensure equal opportunities for all. Advancing Inclusivity Through Technology Digital accessibility, like UserWay’s innovations, plays a crucial role in creating inclusive environments. It empowers individuals with disabilities to navigate online platforms seamlessly, fostering equal participation in today’s digital world. Embracing Symbolism: The Disability Pride Flag The Disability Pride flag, with its distinctive stripes representing various disabilities—from physical to neurodivergent and sensory—symbolizes unity and advocacy for a barrier-free society. What does the disability pride flag look like today? Charcoal gray background: In memory of the victims of ableist abuse and violence, including children or those killed, suicides, or individuals who suffered from negligence. Diagonal band: Cutting across the barriers blocking people with disabilities from full participation, integration, and inclusion in society Red stripe: Physical disabilities (chronic pain/fatigue, mobility impairment, loss of limbs) Gold stripe: Neurodivergence (autism, ADHD, dyslexia) White stripe: Undiagnosed and invisible disabilities Blue stripe: Psychiatric disabilities (depression, PTSD, anxiety, etc.) Green stripe: Sensory disabilities (hearing loss, visual impairments, etc.) Action Beyond July Let’s make inclusivity a year-round commitment. From local events to workplace accommodations and educational reforms, every step we take builds a more accessible and accepting society. Join the Conversation Celebrate Disability Pride Month with us and advocate for inclusivity in every aspect of life. Together, we can create a world where diversity thrives. #DisabilityPride #InclusionMatters

Check out “Disability equity must be fundamental to international engagement” in the Mandarin today: https://lnkd.in/gpspWMxh What this article is talking about is not just the right thing or the smart thing, it is now the expected thing. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the new paradigm requires “nothing about us without us” and full, equal and resourced participation at the top table from design, in implementation and with monitoring. the Mandarin article reads in part:  --- Over recent years the conversation around disability has changed enormously and for the better. The disability movement now talks about equity and rights, not mere inclusion. We say people with disabilities should not only be at the table, but the shape of the table must change so that they can fully and meaningfully participate and lead on an equal basis…. The 2009 Development for All strategy was the first disability-inclusive development strategy to guide Australian international aid. In fact, it was the first distinct strategy on disability for any international donor country. It was truly trailblazing. The strategic intent, framework and resourcing provided by that strategy directly supported people with disabilities and their representative organisations to participate more fully in their community. It enabled collaboration and convening of governments to bring focus and direct action to support people with disabilities across the Pacific and beyond. … Programs must be designed based on analysis of the barriers facing people with disabilities, and program delivery must include both specific projects working with people with disabilities and consideration of the ‘preconditions to inclusion’ for people with disabilities. Failing to examine the preconditions for inclusion too often means leaving barriers, and can be the reasons why people with disabilities are left behind. We must address things like accessibility, assistive technology and social stigma, to truly promote inclusion. … We have come a long way, and there is much to be proud of. But we want to be able to look back on the next 17 years and be proud of the next round of achievements. To make that a reality, Australia will need to be brave and bold in committing to shift the dial towards disability equity. ---

As we approach Disability Pride Month, lets talk Purple Washing : Purple washing is a form of performative allyship where organizations or individuals present themselves as supporters of disability rights and inclusion through superficial actions or marketing tactics, without implementing meaningful changes or policies that genuinely support and empower people with disabilities. Key Characteristics of Purple Washing in Disability Rights: 1. Superficial Inclusivity: Engaging in visible actions, such as using disability-friendly symbols in marketing or promoting disability awareness days, without making real efforts to accommodate or support individuals with disabilities. 2. Marketing Strategy: Utilizing disability rights themes to improve brand image or attract a diverse audience, while failing to provide actual support or accessibility for people with disabilities. 3. Lack of Substantial Policies: Not implementing or enforcing policies that promote workplace accessibility, reasonable accommodations, or equal opportunities for people with disabilities. 4. Tokenism: Featuring a few individuals with disabilities in promotional materials or campaigns, while the broader organizational practices do not foster an inclusive or accessible environment. Examples: - A company showcasing its support for disability rights in advertisements but lacking accessible facilities, technologies, or accommodations for employees with disabilities. - An organization promoting itself as inclusive and disability-friendly without offering adequate support, training, or resources for employees or customers with disabilities. - A government highlighting its disability inclusion initiatives while failing to address significant barriers to accessibility in public services, education, or transportation. Importance of Recognizing Purple Washing in Disability Rights: Recognizing purple washing in the context of disability rights is crucial to ensuring that support for people with disabilities is genuine and leads to real, positive changes. It helps advocates and consumers hold organizations accountable and encourages them to move beyond symbolic gestures to implement meaningful policies and practices that truly support and empower individuals with disabilities. ID: The image depicts a search bar with the term "Purplewashing" entered into it, set against a vibrant and colorful abstract background. The background features bold, overlapping strokes of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue paint. #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityInclusion #SDGs #Equity #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #a11y

A few months ago, Tony Coelho, the primary sponsor of the ADA, joined David Moradi in a fireside chat, marking a significant moment in understanding disability rights and digital accessibility. They discussed Coelho's journey, the ADA's remarkable achievements, and the critical need for progress in digital inclusivity. The conversation highlighted the transformative power of the ADA in empowering individuals with disabilities and the importance of continued advocacy for accessible digital spaces. As we celebrate past successes, Coelho and Moradi's dialogue serves as a rallying cry for future challenges in ensuring digital accessibility for all. Their fireside chat is essential reading for anyone committed to inclusivity and the ongoing work towards a fully accessible digital environment. Check out the recap: https://hubs.li/Q02h3lCm0 Alt Text: Image 1: Looking Back. Fireside chat with Tony Coelho and David Moradi. [Headshot of David and Tony] Image 2: A Personal History of Disability: Tony Coelho, the primary sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), had early challenges with epilepsy that shaped his political journey and commitment to disability rights. Image 3: Achievements of the ADA. The ADA has been instrumental in breaking barriers in employment, education, and the personal lives in the community of people with disabilities. Image 4: The Future is Digital Accessibility. Mr. Coelho stressed the necessity of enhancing digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities, pointing out the inequity during the pandemic where many couldn't access vital services online, labeling it a moral issue. Image 5: Read the Recap & Watch the Video. Fireside chat with Tony Coelho and David Moradi. https://hubs.li/Q02h3pV10 hashtag #FlashbackFriday hashtag #ADA33 hashtag #DigitalInclusion hashtag #AccessibilityAdvocacy hashtag #AccessibleFuture

As we commemorate Disability Pride Month this July, it’s an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of people with disabilities worldwide. This month serves as a reminder to foster a culture of inclusivity and to recognize the importance of accessibility in all aspects of life. Disability Pride Month not only highlights the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities but also emphasizes their strengths and capabilities. It's about acknowledging that disability is a natural part of the human experience and that diversity enriches our communities and workplaces. At Hilti, we are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe that by embracing and celebrating differences, we create a more innovative and compassionate environment where everyone can thrive. Through accessible technologies, inclusive policies, and awareness initiatives, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability, have equal opportunities to succeed. This month, let’s continue to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Together, we can build a more inclusive society where everyone feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. Let’s work together to create a more accessible, equitable and inclusive world for all. #DisabilityPride #Equity #Inclusion #Diversity #Accessibility #DisabilityRights Learn more about the Capitol Crawl which played a crucial role in raising awareness and pushing for the eventual passage of the ADA in 1990.