Tag: Disability
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In the Blog
Hey, Progressives: Please Stop Being Jerks about Disability
With allies like these, do we need enemies? READ MORE
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Blog Series
Passing the Test: Girls, Autism, and Stereotypes
Many autistic girls receive a late diagnosis, and some may not even be diagnosed at all. But misdiagnosis is just the beginning; stereotypes about autism erase autistic girls’ and women’s experiences and perpetuate stigma. READ MORE
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In the Blog
What We Can Learn About “Distant Socializing” From Chronically Ill Trauma BBs
Can living through a global pandemic help us imagine a more accessible future? Margeaux Feldman believes it can. Margeaux first got sick in 2016. Like many other chronically ill and disabled folks, she has already developed many strategies for “distant socializing.” She shares her tips for staying grounded and connected in this wild time and her hopes for a more accessible future. READ MORE
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In the Blog
Accessible Organizing Means…
Did you participate in the Women’s March on January 21st? Many of us did – millions, in fact, in countries across the globe. But did all of us make it to the march, or feel included there? Before the march, in an article for TheEstablishment.com, Emily Ladau pointed out that disability was mentioned exactly twice in the Women’s March’s platform. One of those mentions referred to caring for and chronic illnesses as a “burden.” Yep. READ MORE
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In the Blog
Take Back The Night 2016
I feel angry. I feel upset. I feel anxious (actually, I haven’t said that last one to Adli yet!) These are statements I make to Adli when I want to express my emotions. I want him - currently as a cisgender boy - to learn to express his feelings, however artificial it may seem at first. I also have been trying to talk about oppression. How do I educate and support the learning of my kid … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Accommodating without Antagonizing: Accessibility Is Important
As a chronically ill person I’m painfully aware that I often need accommodation, and I do worry that I’m putting others out. I don’t want to. I try to avoid places where I know for a fact that the situation will be impossible for me. Nobody should be made to feel ashamed or guilty about being sick or disabled. Nor should anyone who needs accommodation feel bad about requesting it. Accommodation is a protected right, not a special favour. READ MORE
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In the Blog
Exercise Is for Everyone: Five ways to make sports and fitness more accessible to all
This summer I had the opportunity to attend the IDEA World Fitness Convention – or rather, the Expo associated with it – in Los Angeles. One of my goals was to search for companies and fitness programs who embraced adaptive exercise for those with disabilities. READ MORE
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In the Blog
Unhelpful “Helpers”: Why Unsolicited Advice and Chronic Illness Don’t Mix
When you’re chronically ill, three words become the bane of your existence: “You should try…” READ MORE
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In the Blog
Mid-Week Round Up: March 11
Check out what’s making been making our headlines this week. READ MORE
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In the Blog
American Horror Story: Ableism, Voyeurism and Popular Culture
On October 8, 2014 the fourth season of American Horror Story, Freak Show, premiered. The season aired for four months, concluding on January 21, 2015. The trailer’s (watch here) opening line speaks to the tangible ways in which ableism - any form of discrimination or social prejudice against Persons with Disabilities (PWD) - and voyeurism - the fervent observation of sensational subjects, typically from a distance or secret vantage point - continually intertwine to reinforce the cultural subjugation of bodies that fall outside normative conventions. READ MORE
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Blog Series
Series Finale: Part 15: A New Definition of Freedom
“You’re freeee!” In springs Shelly, clearly as excited as I am for what the day will bring. “I know! Shoshana and Leah are picking me up at 11:30am! T-minus 2 hours!” My enthusiasm is evident. Finally! It is time to go home. READ MORE
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In the Blog
Hamilton event: A Celebration to Mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
SAVE THE DATE! The Office of Human Rights & Equity Services, The School of Social Work and the Accessibility Community of Practice invite you to: A Celebration to Mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Join us for an afternoon of arts, crafts, music, entertainment, the launch of the Accessibility Community of Practice Website and an informal meet & greet! Date: Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013 Time: 3:30pm to 6:30pm Location: CIBC Hall, McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC), 3rd floor (this … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Guest series: Part 14 - Hide and Seek Intervention
If you’re new to this series, start here. by Jenny Blaser “Welcome back! How did it go?” Heather bounces into the room and I am reminded this is the start of a 4-day string of night shifts for her. Tonight she is wearing hot pink scrubs and her hair is pulled back into a loose ponytail. She has her staple blinding white runners on and her disingenuous smile is stuck on autopilot as per usual. She is … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Guest series: Part 13 - This Time, Without Duct Tape
If you’re new to this series, start here. by Jenny Blaser “Jenny! You are upright and in your chair!” The nurse at my family doctor’s office is excited to greet me and see me functioning a bit letter than the last time we saw one another - when I was twitching about on the floor of this office. “Yup, still not back to 100% … I can’t really use my left arm - I named it Scottie - … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Guest Series: Part 12 - Forever And For No Reason
If you’re new to this series, start here. by Jenny Blaser “I can’t believe they won’t give me a day pass!” I am laying on my side, with Andrea stretching my left leg. She is my private physiotherapist, but she has been coming to the hospital to do my regular stretching routine. “Why won’t they give you one?” She shifts my leg to a different position to stretch a different muscle. “I don’t know - Alice, the nurse, said … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Guest Series: Part 11 - Friends At The Worst Of Times
If you’re new to this series, start here. by Jenny Blaser “I-c-e-d t-e-a l-e-m-o-n-a-d-e u-n-s-w-e-e-t-e-n-e-d” I am whispering each letter to myself as I cradle my iPhone in the crook of my left elbow and poke at the screen with my right pointer finger. I glance up to see what Amanda is doing. She has been with me since last night and we are just waiting for the next person on my care team … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Guest Series: Part 10 - Adjusting Out of Necessity
If you’re new to this series, start here. by Jenny Blaser “Shelly, do you think this would be the same if I were a walking person? Like do you think I wouldn’t have had a test or treatment?” I look over my shoulder at Shelly who is standing behind me. She is going through the bags in my locker, looking for the one that contains my shower stuff. Shelly has an infectious smile and we always joke … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Guest series: Part 9 - The Life Implications of Scotty
If you’re new to this series, start here. by Jenny Blaser I have been here for two weeks now, and the spasms and contractions that initially ravaged my entire body have definitely begun to decrease. I can use my right hand to type and manipulate objects but my torso continues to lack muscle control and my left arm has taken to floating above my head unless restrained. It has become second nature to sit on it, lie … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Guest series: Part 8 - That Time I Slept on the Bathroom Floor
If you’re new to this series, start here. by Jenny Blaser My eyes are stinging and the tears that have been flooding my face are now simply crusted to my cheeks. I am still heaving and sobbing, even if the tears have seemingly dried up. I look around the small bathroom through squinting eyes. It’s dark. The little light that spills through cracks around the locked door is enough for me to make out the basic geography … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Guest Series: Part 7 - A Night Fit for Sleeping
If you’re new to this series, please read parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 first. by Jenny Blaser “I have your new pain medication!” It’s not Alice this time, but Nicole. She smiles at me and uses her wrist to push up her glasses and move her long bangs out of her face in one swift movement. Her pink scrubs and the decorated stethoscope that hangs from her neck compliment her bubbly demeanor. “First, I have to … READ MORE