Ruairí Low’s Post

Are you ready for Disability Pride Month in July? Time is flying and it's already just around the corner! Although I can't emphasize enough how essential it is to recognize disability year-round and not just once a year, I'm also always excited for a month of celebrating disability history, culture, identity, and community. Honoring Disability Pride Month is such a valuable way to learn and make progress toward fostering an inclusive culture. Whether your organization is just getting started in the learning process or already well on your way, I'd love to support that effort. Speaking, educating, storytelling about disability are at the heart of what I do, so if you're planning an event, it would be a joy to join! But what's most important to me is that you find a speaker who is the right fit for your organization. Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau (which I'm so lucky to be represented by) put together a great list of speakers to consider for Disability Pride Month (including Lachi ♫, Sara Hendren, John Hendrickson, Tara Rae Moss, and Maya-Camille Broussard). Here's the list. Check it out, and if you'd like to work together, please reach out and let's make it happen! https://lnkd.in/eTzVbYts (Image description: Headshot of me, a white woman with curly brown shoulder-length hair wearing glasses and a purple sweater dress, sitting in a wheelchair. To the side is a quote from me, "If the disability community wants a world that's accessible to us, then we must make ideas and experiences of disability accessible to the world.") #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityRights #DisabilityAdvocacy #DEI #DEIA #DiversityEquityInclusion #Accessibility #A11y #LinkedInTopVoices

🎉 💓 Happy first #WisdomWednesday of Disability Pride month! We are excited at HP to celebrate this community and are committed to bringing necessary attention to all the work that still needs to be done. Check out this Forbes article, written by Keely Cat-Wells (Disability Rights Advocate and CEO of Making Space): https://lnkd.in/gS9grRRq Cat-Wells talks about the ways we can proactively make this world a more inclusive place for everybody. Here's a few we can all implement TODAY: 💰 Embed Accessibility in Every Budget: "Making accessibility a mandatory line item on every budget ensures that it becomes an inherent part of planning rather than an afterthought. This financial commitment underscores the importance of inclusivity and creates a structure to make all events, programs, and projects accessible to all." 💼 Inclusive Hiring Practices: "Disabled people should be hired for all roles, not just those specifically related to disability. This expands the scope of opportunities and allows Disabled individuals to bring their diverse perspectives to various aspects of the organization." 💭 💭 Discard Assumptions: "It's crucial not to assume what someone can or can not do or what they may or may not need. Disabilities can be non-apparent, and peoples access requirements can vary greatly. Encourage open conversations and avoid making assumptions about what someone can or cannot do based on their appearance." 📢 ✨ Amplify Disabled Voices: "Practice 'passing the mic' by giving Disabled people a platform to share their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives, and pay them for their time and expertise...Amplifying Disabled voices not only fosters representation but also allows these critical perspectives to reach a wider audience." What are some ways you are making your workplace more inclusive? #disabilitypride #inclusive #ally #leadership

**Reflecting on Judy Human's "Being Human": A Masterclass in Resilience and Advocacy** Just finished "Being Human" by Judy Human and I'm compelled to share how profoundly it has impacted me. This memoir goes beyond sharing a journey; it’s a deep dive into the essence of humanity, resilience, and the unyielding fight for equality, particularly from the perspective of disability rights. Judy Human's life story is not just inspirational but a critical call to action. Her narrative, skillfully blending personal experiences with broader socio-political undercurrents, serves as a vivid reminder of the power of advocacy, empathy, and solidarity. What Judy teaches us through her struggles and victories is that the fight for equality is not just necessary but deeply enriching to our collective human condition. For anyone like myself, living with a disability, or working within the spheres of disability rights and advocacy, this book is a treasure trove of motivation, enlightenment, and a reminder of the indomitable spirit inherent within us all. Judy’s ability to present her life’s work and insights makes "Being Human" not just a memoir, but a manifesto for meaningful change and inclusivity. This book challenges us to view disabilities not as barriers but as unique lenses through which we can enrich our understanding of humanity. It is a guide for not only those navigating life with disabilities but for professionals keen on making a real difference in their fields. "Being Human" stands out as more than literary work; it’s a beacon of hope and a transformative call to build a more inclusive, empathetic, and equal society. Judy Human, through her relentless advocacy and the power of her story, reminds us that true humanity involves resilience, compassion, and the pursuit of justice for all. To anyone looking to be inspired, educated, and called to action, I cannot recommend this book enough. It embodies the profound impact of shared stories and struggles, urging us all to work towards a more inclusive and empathetic world. An absolute must-read!

Dear non-disabled allies, We need your support now more than ever. Did you know that 1 in 4 U.S. adults—about 61 million Americans—have a disability? Globally, over a billion people are living with a disability, making it the only minoritized group that anyone can join at any time. Disability can happen to anyone at any stage of life. It’s crucial to understand that disability isn’t a bad word or something inherently negative—it’s simply a health condition that affects how someone navigates daily life. To create a more inclusive world, we must remove negative value judgments surrounding disability. On the other hand, ableism is a system of oppression that devalues individuals based on how their bodies or minds function. Anti-ableism requires us to take proactive steps to ensure that disabled people are valued and empowered. As Author, 3x TEDx Speaker and Founder & CEO, Diversability, the talented Tiffany A. Yu, MSc explains, “We claim our disabilities with pride as part of our identity.” Disability rights activist and author, Emily Ladau also emphasizes, "If we want the world to be accessible to the disability community, then let’s make the ideas and the experiences surrounding disability more accessible to the world.” Tiffany highlights that anti-ableism is all about action. Please don’t wait until disability affects someone you know, or even yourself, before you start caring about this issue. Your allyship is essential. We need you to listen to our stories and gain a deeper, more accurate understanding of the disabled community. I highly recommend Tiffany Yu’s insightful book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. In it, In The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, Tiffany shares her own disability origin story, moving from initial shock, shame, and stigma to acceptance, advocacy, and pride. Ms. Yu offers a wealth of wisdom, from historical perspectives and models of disability to better communication strategies. Each chapter contains well-researched information and thoughtful reflections, encouraging readers to learn, reflect, and support disabled individuals. The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World is a must-read for anyone looking to foster allyship, inclusivity, and learning. #Allies #Non-disabled #DisabilityAwareness #Allyship Square graphic on an orange gradient background. At the top, text, “I’m a member of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto book launch team!” Below, on the left, a photo of the book The Anti-Ableist Manifesto with a red to orange gradient cover. Below, text, “Coming October 8, 2024. Available for preorder now.” On the right, headshot image in a circle. Below, text, “Tiffany Yu (@imtiffanyyu) takes readers on a revelatory examination of disability—how to unpack biases and build an inclusive and accessible world. I’m getting an early look and can’t wait to share my reflections!”

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to honor the history, challenges, and achievements of the disability community. This month is also an important reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to ensure that people with disabilities are recognized, included, and supported in all aspects of society. Accessibe's latest blog post, "Disability Pride Month: Celebrating Inclusion and Advocacy," dives deep into the significance of this month, its origins, and the continuous journey towards a more inclusive world. Disability Pride Month was established to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, a landmark legislation prohibiting discrimination based on disability. Beyond celebration, this month is a call to action for increased awareness, advocacy, and inclusion. Join us in celebrating and advocating for a more inclusive world. Check out accessiBe's blog to learn more and find out how you can contribute to this important movement. Let's continue to work together to break down barriers and create a society where everyone can thrive. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e3-Kgqdk #DisabilityPrideMonth #Inclusion #Advocacy #DisabilityAwareness #Accessibility #Accessibe #Empowerment

July is Disability Pride Month. This month is all about celebrating disability as an identity by sharing the experiences of the disabled community. Disability Pride will mean different things to different people. For many, it's about celebrating our uniqueness. For others, it can be about feeling pride in overcoming the ableism and daily barriers we experience in an often inaccessible society. Alongside celebrating and learning from disabled voices, it’s important to use this month to realise that much more needs to be done to make the world accessible and inclusive for us as disabled people. Disabled people make up over 15% of the global population (over 1.3 billion people!) but too often awareness and representation are still incredibly low in companies, the media and society in general. So please like, comment and share this post to bring attention to this hugely important occasion.  How will you be celebrating and supporting Disability Pride Month this year? Let us know in the comments! #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityPride2024 #Accessibility Image Descriptions: Slide 1: A purple background repeats throughout. Illustrations show two individuals carrying Disability Pride flags and two other individuals with signs which read ‘Disabled and Proud’ and ‘Pride Month’. An arrow pointing right is displayed in the centre of the page. Text at the top reads ‘Disability Pride Month 2024. Your questions answered…’ Slide 2: Header text reads “What is Disability Pride Month?” Paragraph text reads ‘Disability Pride Month occurs every July and celebrates disability as an identity by sharing the experiences of the disabled community. This month is by disabled people for disabled people and is a time to raise awareness about disability-related issues, challenge stereotypes, and foster inclusivity and acceptance.’ Slide 3: Header text reads “Why would you be proud of having a disability?” Paragraph text reads ‘Disability pride will mean different things to different people, as no two people are the same. For many, it's about celebrating our uniqueness. For others, it can be about feeling pride in the ableism and daily barriers we've overcome in an often inaccessible society.’ In the bottom right is an illustration of a man kicking through a glass window. Slide 4: Header text reads “Why is Disability Pride Month needed?” Paragraph text reads ‘Alongside celebrating and learning from disabled voices, it's important to use this month to realise that much more needs to be done to make the world accessible and inclusive for us as disabled people. Disabled people make up around 15% of the global population - that's 1.3 billion people!’ In the bottom right corner is an illustrated diagram showing 15% as part of a circle. The remaining image descriptions will be posted in the comments due to the caption character limit.

🌟 July is Disability Pride Month! 🌟   Disability Pride Month is a time to recognise the achievements, strength, and contributions of the disability community and to acknowledge the ongoing fight for equal rights and inclusion. Although many countries already have laws in place which prohibit all forms of discrimination based on protected characteristics, such as disability, people with disabilities still face significant obstacles in their daily lives.   Here are some examples of these barriers and what you can do to help:
  🌐 Accessibility Barriers: Advocate for regulations, educate about accessibility, support inclusive practices.   💡 Attitudinal Barriers: Challenge biases, promote positive portrayals, listen and learn from disabled individuals. 🤝 Employment Opportunities: Promote inclusive hiring, advocate for accommodations, challenge discrimination.   ❤️ Support Services: Advocate for funding, support organisations, raise awareness.   🌈 Social Inclusion: Promote accessibility, establish inclusive programs, engage disabled individuals.   Visitors to my page may have read that in 2022, due to a neurological condition called Functional Neurological Disorder, I lost my mobility and became a full-time wheelchair-user over just a few months. Adjusting to this new chapter was a very scary time, not only because of the medical challenges and uncertainties, but because of my own general lack of knowledge around how to navigate life with a wheelchair — including how to get one in the first place! I am forever grateful for the support and compassion extended by those around me who had the answers to my many questions and experiences to share. However, I was struck by the number of things to 'watch out for' as a person with accessible needs: insufficient special assistance procedures at certain airports and airlines, unreliable 'accessible' train routes where lifts are out of use or services cancelled, disabled parking bays being used improperly by those without a need, inappropriate comments from members of the public regarding my own disability/mobility aid... The list goes on. Unfortunately, these are all issues I have since experienced first-hand; I will ashamedly admit my prior assumption, ‘it cannot be that bad', was quickly thrown well out of the window. And this is in the UK, a country thought to be ahead of so many others when it comes to equality and inclusion. It is clear there is still much to do.   However, none of this negates the progress made up until now. We can choose to view those imperfections as opportunities for growth, as catalysts to continue our collective efforts, and as a sobering reminder that the journey towards full equality and inclusion is an ongoing one. The truth is that disability can touch our lives at any time. Let's work together to ensure that no one has to face the challenges of an inaccessible world when it does. #DisabilityPrideMonth #Inclusion #Accessibility #CelebrateDiversity #DisabilityRights

I'm on my own personal disability journey, with a disability that changes day by day since it started affecting me in 2009 and again since my diagnosis in 2017. I say this to share my credentials on the next paragraph. I'm not a full-time disability rights activist, I'm not a disability theorist or professor--these folks probably can say what I'm about to say with a lot more eloquence than I can. I'm just somebody with a disability and an inability to shut up about things that are important to me. Every nonprofit I apply to talks about how they are thoughtfully and actionably moving to better support those in their communities that are most harmed by systemic oppression: BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, disability communities, etc. This is so, so important to the mission; the clients you serve deserve equitable access to your work and your resources. This is true (that your clients deserve equitable access...I have my questions about the actionable movements. I see those lists of changes you've made to better support BIPOC communities that haven't been updated since 2021. So do BIPOC folks). But, what about your staff? I disclose as disabled in my cover letter, and because my disability is (usually) invisible, because I'm white and thin and have a nice, even smile, prospective employers are so happy to take me at face, abled value and pat themselves on the back that they're interviewing the disabled candidate! That is, until I ask for accommodations. Not every employer, obviously, but it still sucks to have a job offer rescinded due to my accommodation needs, or see the interviewer's face freeze when I disclose my needs in an interview and then, mysteriously, never hear back about next steps. What kind of accommodations are you able and prepared to support? Are you ready to admit the accommodations that you can't make right now, and then take concrete and progressive steps toward supporting them in the future? Why are your employees left out of your mission, vision, and values?

A powerful, well-written story about the progress made by the disability rights movement globally.: "Much of the historical progress has come from local communities and organizations made of people whose loved ones had a disability. Today, advocacy communities made of these allies still influence larger policy changes. For example, in Canada, local advocates and their communities have called for international accountability when their provincial governments instate unequal pension policies and have continued pushing for specific changes to improve accessible infrastructure. This is only a small example of how years of advocacy have achieved tangible changes in how society operates to improve the lives of people with disabilities. " https://ow.ly/iiwy50ReswP movement, moving from inclusion towards leadership.

July is Disability Pride Month and has been celebrated for almost 30 years to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which was passed on July 26, 1990. Admittedly, I have not been aware of Disability Pride month until a couple years ago but cherish the idea of celebrating and empowering people with disabilities to take pride in who they are. This pride in conjunction with one's disability identity does not always come easy especially in a world not built for us. Requesting accommodations or special services so we can execute basic tasks is often filled with shame. It triggers feelings of being a burden, not worthy the effort or just feeling 'less than'. It is during those low moments that we shall remember and take pride in our uniqueness, our inherent problem solving skills and innovative thinking and most importantly the gives ability to see the world through a unique and valuable lens! Check out the spotlight article below to also learn more about the Disability Pride Flag and the meaning of the different colors! Here is how you can help celebrate: 1. Listen - Don't assume! 2. Learn - Be an advocate! 3. Love - Help remove the stigma! Happy Disability Pride Month! #disabilitypride #inclusion #diversity #advocacy https://lnkd.in/gzaS7wVk