Best Of

(I am aware that this post is slightly a bit delayed but this day shouldn't just be for a day, it should be celebrated all year round)

December the 3rd is International Persons with Disabilities. A day to acknowledge and recognise people who have visible and non-visible disabilities. Let's take a moment to acknowledge our fellow peers this month.

Feeling included is an important thing that everyone needs. But quite often this isn't always the case. With workplaces often being unaccessible, to public spaces lacking inclusive facilities. It's important to be aware of this so we can become an adaptable and better inclusive society for everyone to live in. It's why accessibility is so vital in today's age so everyone can feel like they belong.

It's also important to remember that not all disabilities will be visible and will look different. I think of it like a rainbow and each individuals disability will be different. No two people will be alike. Quite often in the media the portrayal of disability is often done to the extreme and often stereotyped heavily especially with hidden disabilities like autism for example. These extreme portrayals can lead to often harmful views of the disabled community overall.

Did you know that your entitled to reasonable adjustments? But what are reasonable adjustments? Picture this, you want to go out in your car, but you forgot to add petrol into the car. The car won't be able to start without fuel. Reasonable adjustments are like that but are adjustments that can made to make the person feel more accommodated and supported. For example these adjustments can vary from person and can look different, such as dimmer lighting to having extended deadlines on projects and tasks. Having reasonable adjustments can mean the difference of someone enjoying working or feeling like they aren't being valued.

Never be afraid to speak up or ask for reasonable adjustments if you have a disability whether visible or non visible, your entitled to having support. But how do I ask for reasonable adjustments? It can feel quite daunting asking for something but here are some easy steps on how to ask for adjustments.

1) let your tutor, teacher or even manager know that you need extra support via reasonable adjustments

2) Explain what kind of adjustments you may need

3) Work together on creating these reasonable adjustments

How you can look out for your peers this month:

1) Before assuming someone's disability or needs, If unsure you can always ask them and they may be more than happy to explain their disability and needs to you. It's good to ask questions as long as they are not harmful or hurtful.

2) Read up on disability history month and learn as much as you can. There's lots of free courses out there on disability, discrimination and neurodiversity. Sometimes the best way to understand things is by simply learning and taking the time to understand.

3).Raise awareness and acceptance in your workplace, school, college, university even social media. The more you speak and show support we are moving towards becoming more inclusive.

Together we can break down barriers and stigma to create a better neuroinclusive future.