The Resource Key insights, resources, articles, press and more.

Discover the personal journey of overcoming societal barriers and stigma associated with learning disabilities. This article delves into the challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities and highlights the importance of self-advocacy and the pursuit of inclusive strategies. Follow the story of resilience as one individual defies limitations, embraces their unique abilities, and empowers others to find their voices in an often-unaccommodating world. Learn how society's perception can be transformed through understanding, support, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Living in society as a woman with a Learning Disability

"I cannot change the fact that I have a disability and how limiting society can be. The only thing I can do is use strategies to help myself be able to do things and compensate. I use my voice to speak power and hopefully a more inclusive society. " -Michelle Steiner

Interconnected will be an important word as we continue to look towards the future in building inclusion and accessibility.  Taking new information, unrelated concepts, different perspectives and interconnecting them to build out the future will be a skillset to continue to develop to continue moving forward.

Interconnected

"We want to be a community that is centered around universal design and being inclusive of all people regardless of ability. That means that we have to continue to learn about accessibility and disability, and celebrate the many contributions and gifts our disabled students bring to our campus.” -Eduardo Pazos, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Inclusion and Diversity

The Resource Key is proud to announce that we have been listed in The Valuable Directory, a unique resource featuring expertise within digital, physical and cognitive accessibility, as well as tools for inclusive recruitment and branding practices.  As one of only 77 successful organisations globally, we are proud to have been selected by an independent expert review panel.  Our appointment shows our ongoing support to ending disability exclusion, and we look forward to working with The Valuable 500 companies to achieve this.

The Resource Key Joins The Valuable Directory for Disability Inclusion

"The Resource Key is proud to announce that we have been listed in The Valuable Directory, a unique resource featuring expertise within digital, physical and cognitive accessibility, as well as tools for inclusive recruitment and branding practices.  As one of only 77 successful organisations globally, we are proud to have been selected by an independent expert review panel. "

Mozzeria is a pizzeria located in Washington, DC that is known for their authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas.  We love that inclusion and accessibility is embedded within every area of Mozzeria.

The Restaurant Redefining How to Build Community

“I really want to see deaf employees earn the respect that they deserve, so that when somebody walks in that doesn’t sign, they see that deaf people can do everything from owning a restaurant to bartending to cooking.” — Ryan Maliszewski, Mozzeria CEO

  321 Coffee is a “coffee shop and roaster providing meaningful work opportunities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

321 Coffee

“Together, we are building a company that stands for inclusion and doing business the right way.” — 321 Coffee

100 Cameras “works with youth around the world who have had challenging experiences, and they teach them to process and tell their stories through photography in a way that impacts how they view themselves and their role in their community.”

100 Cameras

“Every kid – no matter their background or circumstances – deserves the right to have access to tools that support them in processing their experiences in a way that creates space for emotional freedom in their future."  — 100 Cameras

AgrAbility is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program that provides support, education, and assistance to ranchers and farmers with disabilities. AgrAbility was started through the 1990 Farm bill, the first eight State/Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs) were funded in 1991. During that time, “the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) was led by Purdue University’s Breaking New Ground Resource Center in partnership with Easter Seals (national office).” 

AgrAbility

“Agricultural workers with disabilities are often unable to continue working in a manner they are accustomed to, resulting in reduced productivity and increased chance of secondary injury. But with the help of AgrAbility, many of these professionals are able to put their knowledge and expertise back into the field.”  — AgrAbility

Yes I Can provides career skills training and employment services to individuals with disabilities to assist them in developing the skills they will need to secure a career within the entertainment industry earning a competitive wage.

Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education

“YIC believes individuals with disabilities should have the same right as non-disabled individuals to have access to a full range of available employment opportunities and to earn a living wage in a job of their choosing based on their talents, skills, and interests.” — Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education (YIC)

Inclusively is the technology-centered inclusion solution and employment platform for job seekers with disabilities, mental health conditions, and chronic illnesses. 

Inclusively

“I believe that having a job is something that can change someone’s life. It is something that provides stability, but not just financial stability, it provides something that you can look forward to, that you can work on, that you can have successes in, that you can become better at, that you can learn to overcome challenges.” — Charlotte Dales, CEO of Inclusively

Photography and video exhibit – both online and in-studio – that showcases the food-related stories of eight disabled Canadians, eight Canadians from culturally diverse backgrounds, and eight Cowichan Valley food and beverage producers.

Cowichan Valley Disability, Culture and Food Through Art Exhibit

"I want to use my platform to showcase the stories of other people, I want to elevate their voices, I don’t want to tell their story for them, I want to give them the ability to share their stories to allow people to connect with it. Like you are sitting down with a friend over a cup of coffee and you’re learning about something that you have never ever ever have thought of before because of your own privilege and you’re like wow how have I not know about this I want to be part of a solution.”— Jules Sherred

Input from the disabled community is a critical part of any company’s inclusivity efforts. Here’s how to seek out their perspectives.

How to include workers with disabilities in your DEI initiatives

"It is important to have a company culture that welcomes people with disabilities prior to them being hired for a position. The culture is a thread that is interlaced into each area of the company, from its values to its recruitment process, efforts to retain employees and provide leadership opportunities for growth, to many other areas." -Jourdan Saunders, CEO of The Resource Key

We enjoyed reading this article about The Goodtime Hotel a few weeks ago. In the article “Grutman said the goal is to make “aspiration accessible,” and Birnbaum said the hotel will be “affordable luxury.” We looked on The Goodtime Hotel website and they specifically state all of the ways in which their hotel is accessible. We love that inclusion and accessibility were thought of from the start.

Hotel Ensuring Accessibility from the Start

“Grutman said the goal is to make “aspiration accessible,” and Birnbaum said the hotel will be “affordable luxury.” We looked on The Goodtime Hotel website and they specifically state all of the ways in which their hotel is accessible. We love that inclusion and accessibility were thought of from the start.

The Project Why is what comes to mind when starting, agreeing or pursuing any project.  Sometimes the “Why” is just as important as the project itself. Why did you agree to this project?  This question is important because when committing to a project we want to be able to finish what we started, and asking the “Why” questions allows a deeper understanding of the connection to the project, and commitment to the project. 

The Project Why

Events have the capacity to bring about change, to create spaces to develop relationships to bring about change, and gather new information to use to bring about change.

Events Empower

Authentic Representation is so important.  Authentic is key because you can have representation without it being authentic. 

Authentic Representation

Music can be such a powerful tool for activism in the community, leadership through lyrics, and communicating authentic messages. 

Who are we designing for? What are we considering when we are designing? So many more questions that come to mind when designing and more importantly inclusive and accessible design.  Honestly, we wouldn’t have to say “inclusive and accessible design” if inclusion and accessibility was a part of our design process from the start. The design process is constantly changing, evolving, open to change.  Nothing about design feels static or not changing. 

Design Impact

Who are we designing for? What are we considering when we are designing? So many more questions that come to mind when designing and more importantly inclusive and accessible design. 

Stay Connected takes on a whole new meaning depending on the person, context, and environment.

Improve your social media presence with The Resource Key's free webinar replay on 4 Ways to Make Your Social Media Inclusive and Accessible. Learn about using alt text, image descriptions, color contrast, and hashtags, as well as best practices for accessible content creation and strategies for creating an inclusive online community. Receive a webinar replay, transcript, PowerPoint, and reference outline with resources for free. Start creating a more diverse and equitable online community today.

4 Ways to Make Your Social Media Inclusive and Accessible - Free Webinar Replay

Inclusive Starter Keys:  Inclusive and Accessible Social Media.

Free Inclusive and Accessible Social Media

One of the hardest parts about having a Learning Disability hasn’t been the disability but how society views it. I have found many strategies to compensate for my difficulties in math and other areas. The most challenging part of having one has been how society has viewed it. From the beginning, it has not been an easy journey navigating a world that was not created for people who need different strategies to learn, live and access the community.

The first struggle was people often tried to limit my potential. My peers did not view me as a smart valuable classmate. They saw that I struggled to learn basic concepts in the classroom and that I went to a Learning Support Room for classes and to have tests read. The small Western Pennsylvania school gave me little room to blend in. The community was known for being close-knit and accepting if you were one of them. My disability made me stand out negatively, and it was clear that I did not fit in the school community.  Socially school got more difficult as peer groups became more defined. Thankfully, I found other people my age in an art program in a neighboring school district. I found acceptance there and was able to shed the reputation of being the outcast that haunted me throughout my school years.

Academically, school got easier as I progressed. Slowly, I was in more regular education classes for reading, science, and social studies. By the time I was in high school, I was in all regular ed classes except for math and resource. I was doing well, but everyone was concerned about what would happen after high school. I had a Learning Support teacher who did not think that I could handle college because I struggled with math. She suggested a vocational training school, even though nothing there interested me. Thankfully, I did have people who did encourage me to pursue college with disability accommodations.

After high school, I found that society continued to limit me and focus on the problems. I can remember a physiatrist who told me that it was unlikely that I would go beyond a community college. Once in college, I had a professor who told me that my job choices would be limited, because of my disability. Some of my peers thought that receiving disability accommodations was not fair. Because of the stigma that surrounded them, I decided not to use disability services. Without these services, my grades dropped. I had a professor who suggested extended test times when I mentioned that I was struggling in her class. I was able to pass her class and I got my associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

After college, I was able to move out on my own and found jobs working in childcare. Many of my employers did not understand my disability and I continued to struggle. Eventually, due to financial reasons, I had to move back in with my parents. During this time, I decided to better myself and go beyond community college and into a state university. 

I found a program that I was interested in and used the disability accommodations offered to me. I had a note-taker, extended test time, and tutoring. Most importantly I advocated for myself. I found that most of my professors were understanding and did what they could to help me. The stigma of accommodations was still with my peers, but I learned to focus on doing what I needed to do. I made Dean’s List and was able to graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree. 

Getting a college degree did not cure my disability or encourage society to be more inclusive. I learned to use strategies to help me be able to thrive, and not just survive in this world. I also had to learn to find my voice to be able to speak up for what I needed. I spent too many years hiding my disability like it was a shameful secret and letting others tell me what I could and could not do. I no longer feel shame for having a disability. I have also found new ways to solve problems and have the confidence that I can handle the situation at hand.  Today I work with students as a teacher’s aide in a public school. I encourage my students to use their voices to advocate for themselves, and I teach ways that they can help themselves.

I cannot change the fact that I have a disability and how limiting society can be. The only thing I can do is use strategies to help myself be able to do things and compensate. I use my voice to speak power and hopefully a more inclusive society. 


About Author:  Michelle Steiner is a disability writer, advocate, and para educator. She published articles on The Mighty, Non-Verbal Learning Project, Dyscalculia Blog, The Reluctant Spoonie, Imagine the World as One Magazine and Word Gathering. Recently she began a blog called Michelle’s Mission.  Her photographs were featured in Word Gathering and Independent and Work Ready. She works as a paraeducator in a school with students with disabilities. She lives in The United States with her husband and two cats.


Connect with Michelle:

New Disability Culture Coordinator advocates for disabled community by Juliana Vandermark from The Bowdoin Orient 

Link to Article:  https://bowdoinorient.com/2023/02/03/new-disability-culture-coordinator-advocates-for-disabled-community/

This article discusses how for the first time Bowdoin, the College hired a Disability Culture Coordinator.  When reviewing this article here are some of the components that were interconnected:

Conversations between Disabled Student Association and different administrators.

Listening to students and realizing more support was needed surrounding ableism, accessibility, and disability. 

Position created based off of listening and conversations discussed.

Bringing disabled community to the table surrounding different important conversations.

Quote from article:  "We want to be a community that is centered around universal design and being inclusive of all people regardless of ability. That means that we have to continue to learn about accessibility and disability, and celebrate the many contributions and gifts our disabled students bring to our campus.” -Eduardo Pazos, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Inclusion and Diversity

How will interconnected help you build a more inclusive and accessible future?

Does your company need a speaker to discuss how to build out a more inclusive and accessible future?

 Get started today with The Resource Key Speaking Engagements and Custom Programs 

The Resource Key Featured Brand this week is Mozzeria.

Mozzeria is a pizzeria located in Washington, DC that is known for their authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas.

Why did The Resource Key want to feature Mozzeria? 

We love that inclusion and accessibility is embedded within every area of Mozzeria. Some of the areas include, but are not limited to:

Team: Mozzeria is working to increase career placement opportunities for Deaf people. “Employees can demonstrate their talent and feel a shared sense of belonging while serving delicious pizza.”

Design: Core Architecture + Design designed a”highly visual and open space where people can communicate via sign across the room without barriers”

Communication: American Sign Language (ASL), customers can communicate what they want by pointing to what they want to order, Purple Video Relay Service (on-demand sign language interpreting service when customer calls restaurant an interpreter is automatically connected to translate ASL and be a bridge between them and staff).

Mozzeria is building community by providing customers a “welcoming, memorable, and visual environment to experience Deaf culture while working to increase career placement opportunities for Deaf people.”

Partnerships: During the pandemic masks added an extra challenge, the restaurant invited a professor from Gallaudet who specializes in gestural communication—using eyebrows, eyes, and the whole body—to work with the team. 

Mozzeria partnered with the CSD Social Venture Fund (an organization that invests in the growth of Deaf entrepreneurs) to help with expansion.

Our CEO had the opportunity to meet some of the incredible staff: Aryzona “Aza”, David, Rafi, Tanya. The pizza was delicious, environment was relaxing and a wonderful setting to enjoy the delicious Fichi pizza (fig spread, chili flakes, chevre, fresh mozzarella, arugula, and balsamic glaze). There are many ways to order your pizza from online, tablets in the restaurant, paper and pen, gesturing or ASL. We are looking forward to visiting Mozzeria again soon.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website

Host an Event at Mozzeria, Include Mozzeria for your Next Event, Dine in or Take out Pizza, Share with Others about Mozzeria, Buy Mozzeria Gift Card or Merchandise

“I really want to see deaf employees earn the respect that they deserve, so that when somebody walks in that doesn’t sign, they see that deaf people can do everything from owning a restaurant to bartending to cooking.”

The Resource Key Featured Brand this week is 321 Coffee.

They are located in Raleigh, North Carolina at 1209 Farmers Market Dr.
Market Shoppes Slot 48 Raleigh, NC 27603

 321 Coffee is a “coffee shop and roaster providing meaningful work opportunities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” Learn more about how 321 Coffee has grown to where it is today in interview with NC State Poole’s Startup Series featuring co-founders Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans.

Why did The Resource Key want to feature 321 Coffee? 

Beyond 321 Coffee’s mission around people, they strive to do their best for the planet too in different ways. Some of the ways 321 Coffee is making an impact are as follows:

All of employees at 321 Coffee are paid base rates starting above minimum wage plus tips.

Employs over 30 adults with disabilities, and they are working to partner with other businesses to further promote inclusion through a diverse supply chain.

Fully compostable cups, lids, straws, etc. in their shop

Refillable growler program to reduce plastic waste

Compost our used coffee grounds and other waste weekly

Fully recyclable packaging with packing supplies repurposed from deliveries

80% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are unemployed. 321 Coffee’s mission is to change this. “321 currently employs over 30 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). They are the ones roasting the coffee, taking the orders, and making the lattes.” 321 Coffee is demonstrating the value of an inclusive business model. 

 Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website

Purchase Coffee in Person or in their Shop|  Partner with 321 Coffee 

“Together, we are building a company that stands for inclusion and doing business the right way.”

The Resource Key Featured Brand this week is 100 Cameras.

Why did The Resource Key want to feature 100 Cameras? 

100 Cameras is committed to including alternative text (alt text) and image descriptions throughout their social media for images. This is important because it improves accessibility. 100 Cameras is allowing space for children to express their voices through photography.

 100 Cameras is providing photography tools to equip children to process and tell their own stories through visual storytelling.

 Facebook | Twitter | Vimeo | Instagram | Website

Purchase a Photo |  Volunteer | Financial Gift

“Every kid – no matter their background or circumstances – deserves the right to have access to tools that support them in processing their experiences in a way that creates space for emotional freedom in their future.

The Resource Key Featured Brand this week is AgrAbility.

AgrAbility is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program that provides support, education, and assistance to ranchers and farmers with disabilities. AgrAbility was started through the 1990 Farm bill, the first eight State/Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs) were funded in 1991. During that time, “the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) was led by Purdue University’s Breaking New Ground Resource Center in partnership with Easter Seals (national office).” Learn more about the history and structure of AgrAbility here. 

Why did The Resource Key want to feature YIC?  

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 200,000 farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers acquire occupational injuries each year that limit their ability to perform essential work tasks. It is important that people with disabilities are included in the agriculture industry. AgrAbility “enhances the quality of life for agricultural workers with disabilities by funding educational programs that advance their knowledge of farm safety, educate health professionals, and adapt new technologies for farmers with disabilities.”

Ensuring people with disabilities have access to employment opportunities in production and agriculture occupations, in addition to assistive technology that is needed for work and daily life activities is important. AgrAbility provides the following valuable supports :

Innovative educational programs to advance individual capabilities.

Direct services to agricultural workers through individual consultations.

Aligning assistive technology with each individual’s needs for work and daily life activities.

Networking opportunities for information sharing, provision of services, and funding from individuals or organizations not employed by AgrAbility.

“Agricultural workers with disabilities are often unable to continue working in a manner they are accustomed to, resulting in reduced productivity and increased chance of secondary injury. But with the help of AgrAbility, many of these professionals are able to put their knowledge and expertise back into the field.” 

The Resource Key Featured Brand this week is Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education (YIC).

YIC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Santa Clarita, CA. YIC provides career skills training and employment services to individuals with disabilities to assist them in developing the skills they will need to secure a career within the entertainment industry earning a competitive wage. The Yes I Can program was started by Bret Lieberman, Founder and Executive Director of YIC, along with his partner Kirsten Fitzpatrick as Deputy Director.

Why did The Resource Key want to feature YIC?

According to The Ruderman Family Foundation, while 20% of the U.S. population has a disability, fewer than 2% of all television characters do.  It is imperative that people with disabilities are included in the entertainment industry. YIC “helps individuals with disabilities obtain real-world experience and skills within the entertainment industry that will aid them in securing meaningful careers earning livable wages, improving their quality of life and increasing their independence.”

Authentic representation can be achieved by ensuring people with disabilities are in front of the camera and behind the cameras in roles ranging from actors, producers, choreographers, audio engineers, makeup artists, casting managers, voice-over artists, to name a few roles. YIC provides the following valuable supports for students:

Students receive comprehensive training in 21st Century Career skills taught by YIC’s Masters level educators

Partnerships with a variety of educational institutions

Paid Internship Program (PIP) to gain work experience aligned with entertainment employers

Guest speaker sessions where students can network and learn from industry professionals and hiring managers.

Industry partnerships with direct access to industry internship/job opportunities. 

Internship Opportunities , Donate, Join Their Team , Corporate Sponsorship, Apply For The Board

 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website

“YIC believes individuals with disabilities should have the same right as non-disabled individuals to have access to a full range of available employment opportunities and to earn a living wage in a job of their choosing based on their talents, skills, and interests.”

— Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education (YIC)

The Resource Key Featured Brand this week is Inclusively.

Inclusively is the technology-centered inclusion solution and employment platform for job seekers with disabilities, mental health conditions, and chronic illnesses. Charlotte Dales is the founder and CEO of Inclusively. Her initial inspiration was from Charlotte’s cousin, Cameron. It was 2017, Charlotte had just sold her first company, and Cameron had just become the first licensed aesthetician with Down syndrome in Florida.

Why did The Resource Key want to feature Inclusively?

 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for persons with a disability, at 12.6 percent in 2020, increased by 5.3 percentage points from the previous year. It is imperative that people with disabilities are included in the workplace across all industries. Inclusively is bridging job seekers with disabilities to businesses that are hiring. Recently, Inclusively partnered with Best Buddies International that allows Best Buddies Jobs participants to register for free and tag their profiles with “Best Buddies Participant” under Certificates & Affiliations.

People with disabilities are talented in so many different areas. They are leaders, problem solvers, decision makers, creative, dedicated, and so many other areas that businesses are missing out on by not hiring them. Inclusively is providing a talent pipeline for business that are committed to ensuring people with disabilities are included, and they are providing a platform for people with disabilities to find job opportunities. In addition they provide the following: trainings on workplace inclusivity and accommodations, job seekers can indicate on their profiles which accommodations they would need in an interview or at work, and employers can include accommodations in job listings.

Where to Follow and Stay Updated? Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website

“I believe that having a job is something that can change someone’s life. It is something that provides stability, but not just financial stability, it provides something that you can look forward to, that you can work on, that you can have successes in, that you can become better at, that you can learn to overcome challenges.”

— Charlotte Dales (Quote from video with Charlotte and Cameron)

We are super excited to be sponsoring Cowichan Valley Disability, Culture and Food Through Art Exhibit.

Jules Sherred, owner of Polaris Creative is a “disabled food photographer and advocate with a mission to increase awareness and provide solutions to create better food accessibility to those who need it.

To create a photography and video exhibit – both online and in-studio – that showcases the food-related stories of eight disabled Canadians, eight Canadians from culturally diverse backgrounds, and eight Cowichan Valley food and beverage producers.”

Why did the Resource Key want to sponsor Disability, Culture and Food through Art Exhibit? 

This exhibit has the capability to make a huge impact in the community. It is important for people to understand the barriers that disabled people face regarding access to food and all of the intersections with other areas of marginalization. This exhibit provides opportunities for listening to first person food experiences about disabled Canadians. It allows for opportunities for people to learn, make changes through actionable solutions and connect to art in new ways.  We absolutely love that this exhibit is accessible too so that anyone can access it and enjoy. 

Visit Cowichan Valley Disability, Culture and Food: An Exhibit – Disability, Culture and Food Art (disabilityandfood.art) The exhibit, slated to run from July 1 to Sept. 30, 2022.

Polaris Creative on Instagram and Facebook. Jules’ website Disabled Kitchen and Garden which is Kitchen and garden tips and tricks for the disabled, written by someone who is disabled.

“I want to use my platform to showcase the stories of other people, I want to elevate their voices, I don’t want to tell their story for them, I want to give them the ability to share their stories to allow people to connect with it. Like you are sitting down with a friend over a cup of coffee and you’re learning about something that you have never ever ever have thought of before because of your own privilege and you’re like wow how have I not know about this I want to be part of a solution.”

— Jules Sherred (Quote from Interview with Jules from The Pulse on AMI)

Our CEO wrote an article for Fast Company recently in partnership with two of The Resource Key Community Experts, Tanisha Dayal and Antoine Hunter.

"The world’s largest minority group, according to the World Bank—15% of the global population (or 1 billion people)— experiences some form of disability, whether visible or invisible. Establishing the foundation for and maintaining successful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives starts with including this significant minority. And businesses can increase their value by taking important steps to ensure members of this population are included in workplaces."

The Resource Key Featured Brand this week is The Goodtime Hotel.

The Goodtime Hotel is located in Miami Beach.  Pharrell Williams and David Grutman partnered with Developer Eric Birnbaum.

Why did The Resource Key want to feature The Goodtime Hotel? 

We enjoyed reading this article about The Goodtime Hotel a few weeks ago. In the article “Grutman said the goal is to make “aspiration accessible,” and Birnbaum said the hotel will be “affordable luxury.” We looked on The Goodtime Hotel website and they specifically state all of the ways in which their hotel is accessible. We love that inclusion and accessibility were thought of from the start. Some of the areas stated include:

Accessible Two Queen Room with Roll-in Shower

Accessible route to all food and beverage outlets from the public entrance and accessible rooms.

Accessible Gym and Outdoor Fitness Facility.

Our Featured Brand this Week aligns with Key 2. Design Impact which takes into account these important questions: Who are we designing for? What are we considering when we are designing? 

We know our idea of a good time is when inclusion and accessibility is a priority and is included from the start. Thank you to The Goodtime Hotel for driving social change in the hospitality industry.

“The goal is to make “aspiration accessible.”

— David Grutman (Quote from Article Pharrell, David Grutman, Eric Birnbaum Launch Goodtime Hotel (therealdeal.com)

The Project Why is what comes to mind when starting, agreeing or pursuing any project.  Sometimes the “Why” is just as important as the project itself. Why did you agree to this project?  This question is important because when committing to a project we want to be able to finish what we started, and asking the “Why” questions allows a deeper understanding of the connection to the project, and commitment to the project.  All of these things matter and are important to take the time to evaluate THE PROJECT WHY, not just when it comes to yourself, but when it comes to others that may be on the project as well.   

Here are 3 Project Why articles that I wanted to share:

Alice Wong’s Disability Visibility Project is five years strong and is permanently disrupting stereotypes about disability

Quote from Article: “Wong created the Disability Visibility Project in 2014. “Originally, it started as a one-year campaign to collect oral histories from the disability community in the lead up to the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 2015,” she said. “I formed a community partnership with StoryCorps, an oral history nonprofit because I wanted us to have a chance to tell our own stories and create our own history.”

Volunteers propel St. Albans On Purpose Project

Quote from Article: “St. Albans On Purpose Project Coordinator Angie Breeden said she created the inclusion program to last year by drawing on personal experience. “I have children with disabilities and have done some work in the disability advocacy field,” she said “I realized one of the things in the disability world is that it’s missing and extra little bit of a community aspect. … There’s a whole lot more to life than school and work; people want to get involved in their community. People with disabilities are citizens, and it’s good for them to be a part of the community and contribute in some way.”

Find Disability-Inclusive Dolls and Accessories at This Etsy Shop

Quote from Article: “It’s so important for our children to see themselves represented in the world around them, from those within their own community and characters portrayed on film, to the very toys they play with. But for kids who have hearing aids, cochlear implants, a cleft lip, a tracheostomy, feeding tubes, or surgery scars, it can be challenging to find that representation.

That’s why one mom took it upon herself to start an Etsy shop featuring inclusive dolls and accessories for little kids who need to see a bit of themselves in the world.”

How can considering The Project Why to allow us to be more purposeful when committing to projects?

When we think back to any event that we attended in the past, we typically always leave the event feeling empowered to change something, share something, or do something.  Events have the capacity to bring about change, to create spaces to develop relationships to bring about change and gather new information to use to bring about change.

How can accessible events provide spaces and empower people to discuss disability inclusion and authentic representation across industries?

Authentic Representation is so important.  Authentic is key because you can have representation without it being authentic.  Allow people to tell their story, how they want to be represented, share the stage and let people show up as their true self.  

1. Teenager, 14, with bionic arms who lost her hands to meningitis as a baby lands job as TV presenter to front news show for youngsters

Quote from the article: “It’s a great opportunity for me to report on the things I care about most, climate change, equal rights, racism and of course I hope I can inspire others kids with a disability that everything is possible.”

2. New Netflix Documentary Captures History Of The Paralympics

If you have not seen Netflix Documentary Phoenix Rising, I highly recommend watching it, I loved how there were U.S. Paralympians telling their own story and it talked about the history of the Paralympics too.  I have watched it twice.

3. Kmart’s inclusive doll win: ‘It has a cane like me!’

Quote from the article:  “Emma Evert took to the  Kmart Mums Australia Facebook group  and shared photos of her son Harlen with a doll that is vision impaired, just like him. She wrote, “absolutely killing it with the new range of inclusive dolls. It is so important that kids with disabilities are represented in TV, books and toys.”It’s equally important [their] typical developing peers have exposure to these things.” “It empowers kids to celebrate ability!” She added that her son was “one super happy boy this afternoon.”

4. An Open Letter to Hollywood: Inauthentic Representation of Disability Isn’t Representation At All

Quote from the article: “Perhaps this is because I rarely saw anyone who looked like me on my screen. Watching disabled people on screen achieving their goals might have helped me build more intricate dreams of my own. When I say “disabled people,” I mean characters played by actors who live with a disability. As soon as I learn that a non-disabled actor is playing a disabled part, it reinforces for me that the world literally doesn’t think people with disabilities can play ourselves.”

5. Madagascar: A Little Wild” Takes Deaf Representation to the Next Level

Quote from the article: “My favorite moments from this collaboration has been watching performances of the ASL dialogue in this show, when Jevon plays Dave, a deaf chimp, in a way that only a deaf person can, and Justin plays Pickles, a hearing chimp who has a deaf brother, in a way that only a relative of a deaf person can do justice,” Delbert Whetter said. “Some of the funniest moments have been from watching them throw themselves into these roles, drawing on their own personal life experiences to create these hilarious scenes, some of which you will see in these episodes.”

How can we move towards having more authentic representation in society on screen and off screen?

Music Moves us to take action, pushes us to finish that last workout, connects us at concerts, calms us when life gets tough, reminds us of our first love, and allows us to dance the night away. Music can be such a powerful tool for activism in the community, leadership through lyrics, and communicating authentic messages.  We can think of many ways music has impacted our lives, but here are a few:  

Studying for school and remembering concepts that were hard to understand

Brought us to tears at a loved one’s funeral service

Conversation starter with people that are now lifelong friends

Incorporated into teaching students to help them understand different skills and reach their goals

1.  Remarkable Cork man defies odds to create tribute to frontline workers by Sarah Horgan from Echo Live

Cillian has cerebral palsy, he uses assistive technology to help him communicate with others. Cillian created a song for frontline workers entitled “Don’t Give Up”. Through his eye-gaze software, Cillian created the lyrics and music for the song. 

Quote from the article: “People sometimes assume you don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “Sometimes, they’ll shout really loud into your face as if you’re not able to hear them. Music gives me a chance to be able to express myself.”

2. Rising Phoenix’ Enlists Disabled Rappers to Join Daniel Pemberton for Documentary Soundtrack by Jon Burlingame from VARIETY

The soundtrack of Rising Phoenix includes three musicians with disabilities. They all wrote from their personal experience and then sent in their parts for mixing into the song.

Quote from the article:  “I feel what everybody else is going through in that film. I’ve witnessed discrimination not just as a Black female but as a disabled person. People think you’re ‘less than’ because you’ve been through what you’ve been through. We assume because a person has a disability, they are not capable. That sucks.”

3. DigiFest 2020 artists, performers and activists join to mark Alf’s Act by Nigel Barlow from About Manchester

DigiFest brings together disabled and non-disabled people who have worked together for this program.  It is a free two day digital festival that features various talent ranging from story sharing to music and films.  This festival seeks to celebrate, learn and challenge the legacy created by the 50th anniversary of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (1970). This is a milestone that is marked in Manchester.

Quote from the article: “DigiFest shines a light on Alf’s Act which changed the lives of millions of disabled people worldwide and provides an historic opportunity for us to celebrate and learn. Most of all it will look to the future and how, together, we must shape a more equal society for disabled people. I hope that everyone will tune in, feel inspired, motivated and proud.”

4. Meet Darwin’s Sing Song Signers, a choir of young people who sign rather than sing by Lauren Roberts from ABC News 

Quote from the article: “For the past decade, the 27-year-old courier has spent his Saturday mornings rehearsing with the Sing Song Signers, a choir of young people most of whom live with disabilities. But unlike most chorale groups, the Sing Song Singers don’t sing — they entertain crowds by interpreting the lyrics of songs through sign language.”

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