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The Paralympics and the Special Olympics are distinct events that are often confused
The Paralympics and the Special Olympics are distinct events that are often confused because they focus on athletes with disabilities. Paralympics: Held after the Olympics, the Paralympics feature athletes with physical disabilities or visual impairments who compete at an elite level. Athletes are classified based on their…
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Constructing Normalcy
In my last post I commented on the urge towards normalcy- and how so many of us are not in fact this ideal of "normalcy" - yet all of us work to uphold these unattainable social constructs. It reminded me of the opening chapter in Lennard J. Davis's "Enforcing Normalcy: Disability, Deafness, and the Body." This is an…
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Disability Themes and Concepts in Books
In a conversation about navigating complexities of the disability identity development- I was recommended to read the book "Covering: The Hidden Assault on our Civil Rights" by Kenji Yoshino. Yoshino is a lawyer and musician, who identifies as a gay Asian male. He weaves in his own experience of suppression and intentional…
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Open Inclusion's Community Terms and Conditions
Our community guidelines We need your help to keep Open Inclusion’s Community as valuable, authentic, inclusive, and safe as possible. This platform and these Community Guidelines are designed to make sure that the Community Hub is and remains safe, helpful, and enjoyable for all of us using it. As Open Inclusion community…
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'My son inspired me to make comic cons inclusive
The mum of an autistic boy was inspired to make events more inclusive, having seen the challenges with many events, this included wider aisle and quiet spaces.
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Film on Dyslexia
Le DyScourse of a Queen" is a short film exploring dyslexia not as a disability, but as a strength. The film follows Sumaya, a young girl with dyslexia, who overcomes challenges and proves her potential in a fluency competition. It breaks down stereotypes and shows the positive impact of embracing individual…
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"Deaf President Now!"Apple TV+ Documentary Spotlights Pivotal Disability Protest
"Deaf President Now!"Apple TV+ Documentary Spotlights Pivotal Disability Protest A new Apple TV+ documentary, "Deaf President Now!", tells the powerful story of the 1988 protest at Gallaudet University. Students rallied, boycotted, and protested for eight days after the university's board chose a hearing president over two…
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Hidden, Invisible, Non-Visible? Let’s Talk Terminology
Hi everyone, Language is incredibly personal, especially when it comes to how we talk about disability. One topic that comes up often in my work, and something I get asked about all the time, is the preferred terminology for disabilities that aren’t immediately apparent to others. For example, the Sunflower Scheme uses the…
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IEP vs. 504 Plan: What's the Real Deal?
IEP vs. 504 Plan: What's the Real Deal? Ever heard the terms "IEP" and "504 plan" floating around and felt a little lost? You're not alone! These are two key ways schools support students with disabilities, but they work differently. Think of it like this: both aim to help kids succeed, but take slightly different paths.…
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We hear you opening doors in more ways than the obvious
We hear you opening doors in more ways than the obvious We Hear You- They are passionate about making accessibility not a luxury but a standard. They combine cutting-edge technology with affordability to open literal and metaphorical doors for individuals, providing unprecedented freedom of movement and independence. This…
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Why Businesses Must Take Action on Disability Inclusion by 2025
Why Businesses Must Take Action on Disability Inclusion by 2025 We all recognize the critical need for companies to embrace disability inclusion, emphasizing its potential to foster innovation, economic growth, and brand credibility. It addresses barriers faced by people with disabilities, such as inaccessible technologies…
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Disabled people included in calls Call for views on learning disabilities framework
People with learning disabilities in Guernsey are being asked for their views about a draft plan to ensure they enjoy the "best possible quality of life". It is great to see those with Learning Disabilities and carers been included with : The government will also set up a Learning Disability Partnership Board to provide…
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Are Student Disability Accommodations Under Threat?
Are Student Disability Accommodations Under Threat? A new article from Boston University discusses a lawsuit by seventeen states seeking to declare Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act unconstitutional. This act is crucial because it protects the civil rights of people with disabilities and ensures they have equal…
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Help stop the UK government cuts to benefits
Disabled people have spoken of their anger, frustration and fear – and sense of betrayal by the Labour government – over plans to cut billions of pounds from disability benefits, as they protested outside Downing Street on 26 March , Disability News Service (DNS) reports. Estimates suggest more than 1,000 disabled people…
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Implications for Accessibility and Inclusion from US government EDI freeze
What do people think the implications for disabled people and accessibility and inclusion are going to be in the US and globally following President's Trumps decision to put all US government EDI staff on leave
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ASD and dating apps
This article shows the challenges with dating apps for those with ASD
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Online Dating with a Disability
Online dating can be challenging, but there are websites specifically designed for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions popping up in recent years. Forbes came out with an article on a new app called Dateability - New Dating App to help Disabled and Chronically Ill Find Love What have your experiences…
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Dyslexia and digital exclusion
Many dyslexic individuals are at a higher risk of digital exclusion due to the inherent challenges of dyslexia and the often inaccessible nature of digital environments.Addressing this requires incorporating universal design principles into the development of digital content and platforms to make them more accessible,…
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Dragon Dens star gets help with her accessible make up company.
Her range includes anti-roll packaging, sensory-friendly formulas and audio descriptions via QR codes. Let’s hope other companies look at launching accessible ranges.
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Adapting Clothes for those with Neurodiversity
An autistic entrepreneur has created her own business helping neurodivergent people find clothes for their sensory needs after she struggled to shop for and wear clothes herself.
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Idea for Deaf Accessibility Feature at Fitness
In many fitness centers, I’ve noticed that while workout monitors sometimes display subtitles, they don’t work perfectly for Deaf people like myself. Subtitles aren’t always the best option because written language isn’t the primary language for many Deaf people. From my personal experience, it would be much more effective…
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What Is Inclusive and Accessible Design?
What Is Inclusive and Accessible Design? Inclusive design is about making something usable by everyone, regardless of background, ability, or situation. Accessible design focuses specifically on making sure people with disabilities can use it. Think of it like this: Inclusive design is like building a house for…
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Autistic travel research
The National Autistic society has launched its Empowering Autistic Travel Research Report. This is the result of a year of listening to autistic people and their families describing their travel experiences through surveys and interviews, and some valuable discussions with transport professionals. We had a staggering 4,052…
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Updated data from the Disability and Health Data System (DHDS)
According to 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data now reported in DHDS, more than a quarter of adults in the United States (28.7%) report having a functional disability. That means an estimated 70 million Americans navigate daily life with challenges in hearing, vision, mobility, cognition,…
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Maryland's Butterfly: A Step Towards Understanding Hidden Disabilities
Maryland's Butterfly: A Step Towards Understanding Hidden Disabilities Link: Maryland is taking a significant step toward better recognizing and understanding its residents with hidden disabilities. A new initiative, highlighted in a recent WTOP article, proposes adding a butterfly symbol to the driver's licenses and…
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BBC iplayer for those with dementia
TV and music often help those with dementia now the Alzheimer’s society and BBC have teamed up to bring a set of programme on BBC iplayer for those with dementia. The BBC’s Memories and Dementia season is designed to focus on their rich content archive, and the specially curated collections aim to help people living with…
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Support for entrepreneurs
Hatch Enterprise supports underrepresented entrepreneurs to develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to launch and grow a business. We do this through delivering workshops, events, and 1:1 volunteering support, connecting entrepreneurs in a vibrant supportive community, and building networks and partnerships…
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Microsoft Inclusive Design
Microsoft Inclusive Design Microsoft's Inclusive Design methodology stems from digital environments and utilizes human diversity. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating and learning from individuals with varied perspectives. This approach is relevant for anyone involved in product and service creation, including…
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More Accessible Video Games Coming Soon
More Accessible Video Games Coming Soon There is more good news for gamers: many major video game companies are joining forces to make video games more accessible, allowing more people to play and enjoy them. The companies are creating special labels known as accessibility tags, which you will see in game stores and on…
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Xbox's Adaptive Joystick: A Leap Forward in Gaming Accessibility
Xbox's Adaptive Joystick: A Leap Forward in Gaming Accessibility The gaming world is buzzing with the arrival of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, and for good reason! In a recent first-look video by Steve Saylor, we get an in-depth glimpse at this revolutionary piece of hardware designed to break down barriers and bring gaming…