Ben VanHook’s Post

Disabled people can absolutely be ableist. Disabled people can invalidate other’s lived experiences. Disabled people can question other’s diagnoses. Disabled people can refuse to accommodate others. Disabled people can create inaccessible content. Disabled people can fail to consider and incorporate intersectionality within their advocacy works. As a disabled person myself, I have been ableist in the past, and have held myself accountable each day as I’ve grown as an advocate and activist. Being disabled does not grant you immunity from being ableist. Non-disabled people can be ableist. Disabled people can be ableist. #autism #adhd #autistic #neurodiversity #education #employment #disability #advocacy #inclusion #dei #intersectionality #communication #stigma #bias #ableism #culture #accommodations #pride #hr #discrimination #systems #accessibility #privilege #mentalhealth

🤷🤔The Disparity Between Discussion and Action: A Critical Examination of Disability Inclusion in Development👀 The panel discussion at #GHPC24 on health equity and strengthening primary healthcare left me reflecting deeply on the discussions surrounding disability inclusion in development. The discussion surrounding disability inclusion in development has gained traction, yet a significant gap remains between words and reality. While development partners declare #disability inclusion to be a fundamental #humanright, their commitments often lack clarity and effective implementation. This raises concerns about whether these statements are merely for show, distracting from deeper systemic issues such as poverty and discrimination. Barriers like funding shortages and inadequate understanding hinder disability inclusion. Development partners should create effective policies, engage with Disabled Persons Organizations, invest in training, and ensure accountability to promote equity and justice for individuals with disabilities. 🌍🤝 Sightsavers #DisabilityInclusion #Development #Equity #SocialJustice

I DO NOT aim nor intend to “fix” disabled people, because disabled people are not, and never were, something that needs fixing. To “fix” is to imply something is inherently wrong or broken. Disabled people are neither. The only thing broken is a society built upon racism, ableism, xenophobia, sexism, transphobia, and homophobia. So no, I do not intend to fix disabled people. Rather, I intend to support disabled people by empowering them to envision what is possible and help them realise their potential and strengths. I hope to help disabled people understand that their struggles and the barriers they face are not their fault (thus, reducing guilt and shame) and my goal is to help society normalise disability through empathy and compassion, thus ridding itself of ableism and stigma. I aim to support, not fix, by accepting disabled people for who they are, and working alongside them to decrease the barriers they face. #autism #autistic #adhd #neurodiversity #education #employment #disability #advocacy #inclusion #dei #intersectionality #communication #stigma #bias #ableism #culture #accommodations #pride #hr #discrimination #systems #accessibility #privilege #mentalhealth #research

WHAT IS AUTISM...? Depends who you ask really doesnt it... If you ask the the government... they'd say we were a burden on the economy & society. A Behaviour Practitioner... they'd likely say the way we behave or act is different (or of concern) than the acceptable "norm" & that we should conform to societies expectations. nothing a bit of conditional training & parental intervention can't fix. A Medical Practitioner...they might say there's something wrong within us for which they are still trying to find a cure & that they can prescribe pills to keep us more docile & easier to manage to fix the problem. A Social worker... they could say its the barriers in the way that are the issue, yet may also refer to you as vulnerable & a risk to your children & often recommend need for parental intervention. An educator... might suggest it's only a developmental delay, but with enough early intervention we can look & Act like every one else & conform (you know the 'norm') Truth is no one knows how to truly help or what to do with us! We're treated as if we are human experiments. What if we don't want to fit the standard role with these pre built in 'values' we don't align with. Sure we need support...BUT STOP TRYING TO DEFINE WHAT 'SUPPORT' MEANS TO US its subjective. . . help cannot be defined by another individual, that's obsurd. STOP TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT YOU "OBJECTIVELY OBSERVE" AS 'WRONG' WITH US, there is nothing! WE HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS its THAT SIMPLE. What "needs", you might be wondering (*NDIA) just bloody ask us! What might help one person may not be helpful to another. Stop assuming you know what's good or best for us NONE OF YOU DO I dont care how many years you studied at UNIVERSITY your 4-8year has nothing on my 40 years lived experience, we are the EXPERTS, ask us you might learn a thing or two! Forget 'good practice' 'best practice' 'evidence based' its ALL BLOODY crap... The evidence has been built on a system of dark abuses, institutionalisation, control & is a mostly taking a medical scientific approach to something that even science cannot yet explain or understand!! Not exactly the solid foundation to be building upon now is it?! *screaming into the abyss* p.s. if this post bothers you... YOU ARE A PART OF THE PROBLEM not the solution.

🗳️ How was the experience of people with #disabilities while voting in the context of the #2024EUElections? Recently, European Disability Forum drafted a report featuring several testimonials from PwD who exercised their right to vote last week. Among others, it includes lived experiences of people within the EBU Network. If you're interested in learning more, you will find the report at the following link: https://lnkd.in/eMnKqEtq

Did you know that 1 in 5 Australians live with a disability, yet their representation in the workforce is significantly low? This disparity is a pressing issue, and at SIRV, we are committed to bridging this gap by providing equal opportunities for our participants to thrive professionally. Everyone deserves the chance to pursue their ambitions and contribute to society. However, many disabled Australians encounter barriers that limit their access to meaningful employment. This underrepresentation in the workforce is not just a statistic—it’s a powerful call to action for inclusivity and equal opportunity. A call to action we have taken upon ourselves to remedy as best we can! Whether you are a participant or have a disabled loved one, our partners are ready to listen and make their lives a thriving and positive one. - - - - #NDIS #DisabilitySupport #NDISBrisbane #DisabilityServices #DisabilityAwareness #SupportWorkers #DisabilityInclusion #BrisbaneNDIS #BrisbaneDisabilitySupport #NDISProvider

We believe our caregivers voices speak strongly to the impact of the programme. 💬 Here’s what one Ugandan mama had to say about thesupport she has got from engaging in the programme. This mama's story of being left alone to bring up her child is all too common. We are working hard to engage fathers in the programme to help them understand disability and support their child. We are in the process of developing a module specifically for fathers. Baby Ubuntu is a participatory group progamme which aims to: - Increase caregiver knowledge, confidence and skills in caring for their child with a developmental disability - Promote inclusion and participation of children with disability within the family and community - Maximise a child’s developmental potential, health and quality of life - Promote empowerment of caregivers through information sharing and peer support - Promote the human rights of children with disability #BabyUbuntu #inclusion #disability

Please visit the blog section of my website jonslifka.com for my thoughts on fighting FOR justice for the Disability Community. #InspireU #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityAction #InspirationalSpeaker #MotivationalSpeaker

There is shame in the way society perceives of, and, fails to support disabled people. There is shame in the biases, stigmas, and stereotypes that continue to persist around disability. There is shame in the lack of focus on intersectionality with regards to the disabled community. There is shame in the lack of disabled people consulting on research. There is shame in the lack of disabled representation and consultation in decision-making on matters relating to our community. There is shame in the lack of accessible and affordable housing offered to disabled people. There is shame in the lack of affordable physical and mental healthcare supports available to disabled people, especially considering the increased anxiety and depression rates within the disabled community. There is shame in denying accommodations to disabled people. There is shame in the bullying, harassment, and complete disregard for the personhood of disabled people. There is shame in seeing disabled people as second-class-citizens, if not subhuman. However... There is absolutely no shame in being disabled. The real epidemic is ableism. Not disability. #neurodiversity #dei #disability #autism #adhd #employment #education #accommodations

“We are witnessing an alarming trend where people with disabilities are seeking assisted suicide due to social deprivation, poverty, and lack of essential supports,” said Krista Carr, executive vice president of Inclusion Canada. Disability rights organizations and two affected individuals allege that inadequate healthcare, stigma, and discrimination are causing premature death among Canadians with disabilities. “This law also sends a devastating message that life with a disability is a fate worse than death, undermining decades of work toward equity and inclusion.” Read the full article by Shannon VanRaes, Future of Good's editorial fellow on inclusion and anti-racism, here: https://lnkd.in/gskT_tgX This independent journalism is made possible by the support of World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund and SETSI. #futureofgood #disabilityrights #MAID #healthcarejustice #equityandinclusion #humanrights #socialjustice #accessibility #disability #inclusionmatters #enddiscrimination #healthcareforall #indigenousrights