Spoiler alert: disabled people are not your inspiration, and we’re more than just suffering. But why does Hollywood keep telling the same stories over and over again? In this fun, unfiltered conversation, disabled creatives discussed the harmful effects of inspiration porn, a term coined by the late disability activist Stella Young, and how we can [click to continue...]
In an era where representation matters more than ever, the television industry stands at the forefront of influencing societal perspectives and norms. Attendees heard from panelists who are driving disability inclusion both on and offscreen, as they discussed strategies for success, challenges faced when advocating for inclusivity, and what it takes to achieve greater equity [click to continue...]
https://vimeo.com/923031767 Read transcript Download PowerPoint Trauma informed care (TIC) has emerged as an approach for individuals and organizations in response to the growing awareness of the pervasive and long-lasting impact of trauma on health and wellbeing. Since the early 1990s, John Keesler, PhD has been involved with the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities community in various [click to continue...]
Watch Recording In the United States, disabled individuals are over-represented as both victims of crime and as those accused of crimes compared with their non-disabled counterparts, and this overrepresentation is even higher for those with disabilities and other marginalized identities. As a result, it is critical that all professionals working in the criminal legal system [click to continue...]
https://vimeo.com/919295991 Read transcript For Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), RespectAbility hosted a conversation about the upcoming film THIRTEEN. Based on a true story, THIRTEEN is a short film about a mother fighting to have a Bat Mitzvah for her disabled and terminally ill daughter in a synagogue that refuses to break from [click to continue...]
“A Holistic Perspective on Supporting People with Disabilities” Speaker: Shelly Christensen, MA, FAAIDD, Senior Director of Faith Inclusion and Belonging, RespectAbility Spirituality can be a framework in which to support disabled individuals and those who love them. A holistic perspective demystifies disability and stigma, and centers on what is important to an individual. This session explored [click to continue...]
The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) has been introduced. This bill aims to eliminate certificates that allow employers to pay individuals with disabilities below minimum wage. Over the next five years, we would see a significant shift towards fair wages for all individuals, regardless of their disability status. If passed, this legislation will [click to continue...]
On February 6, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will retain the current American Community Survey (ACS) disability questions for 2025 and work closely with stakeholders in the disability community to ensure that future questions better account for the various types and levels of disability. In October 2023, the Census Bureau had suggested modifying [click to continue...]
With legislatures around the country in full swing, you may be headed to your state capitol or statehouse soon. Effectively communicating with a state legislator to advocate for a piece of legislation involves careful planning, clear communication, and maintaining a professional demeanor. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this process, from reaching out [click to continue...]
On February 8, Kansas joined the ranks of 15 other states that have already abolished or are in the process of phasing out subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities. RespectAbility is pleased and encouraged that a bipartisan, cross-section of states is moving to ensure that people with disabilities are earning real pay for real work. [click to continue...]
