PROVAIL’s Post

Did Apolitical Foundation review the Disability Victory website that announces: Building the political power of disabled progressives. Disabled issues are nonpartisan. It does not matter what your political affiliation is. we need more disabled advocates focused on disability issues without affixing a label to it. We need more people with life experience running for elected offices. Disability Victory negatively impacts disability advocates everywhere. #nonpartisan #leadership #GOTV #communityengagement #accessibility #DeafBlind #Blind #Deaf #Braille #LargePrint #CART #TASL #ASL #Protactile #freepriorinformedconsent #FPIC #sustainability #realtimecaptions #RTT #fundraising #ADA #NDEAM #IDAM #inclusion #ESG #DEI

Disability Victory has been recognized by the Apolitical Foundation as one of 78 Political Leadership Entrepreneur (PLE) organizations to watch, and as the only PLE they know of that is dedicated to disabled leadership. This means that we are the only known organization in the entire WORLD with a mission of encouraging and empowering more disabled people to run for elected office or staff campaigns. And as last week's ableist cover of The Economist shows, we have so much more work to do. Being the only organization doing this work hasn't been easy. We entered the field in 2023, an extremely difficult time to start an organization amid downsizing and layoffs across the political space. We've been told that funding disabled political leadership isn't a priority, and to cut corners on accessibility to save money (something we refuse to do). We continue to work on a shoestring budget to make accessible training programs and resources that answer disabled leaders' questions about running for office. That budget gets tighter every day, making Disability Victory's future uncertain. Right now, we need your help to keep the (virtual) lights on so that we can continue this important mission. This #DisabilityPrideMonth, consider contributing to Disability Victory so that we can continue to create accessible training programs and resources that give more disabled leaders the confidence and skills they need to run for office. Donate today to support Disability Victory: https://lnkd.in/dBA8PEKe Apolitical Foundation's PLEs to watch: https://lnkd.in/eaRyTFBV #Disability #Accessibility #Elections2024

How Small Acts of Support Create Big Change “Think small actions don’t matter? Here’s why they do—and how they create massive impact.” At Big Little JC Association, we’ve seen firsthand how even the smallest acts of kindness can transform lives. Small actions like sponsoring a therapy session or providing educational tools may seem simple, but to a child with disabilities, they can mean the world. These contributions: ↳ Unlock opportunities for growth and learning. ↳ Provide access to vital therapies that foster independence. ↳ Bring hope to families navigating challenging times. Your support doesn’t have to be big to make a big difference. No matter how small, every action is a step toward building a more inclusive and supportive world. 💡 Want to make an impact? Mark your calendars for April 5th, 2025, and join us at our charity golf tournament! It’s not just a game—it’s a chance to create life-changing opportunities for children with disabilities. Visit www.biglittlejc.org to learn more about how you can participate and help us continue creating big change through small acts of support. Together, we’re driving impact, one small step—and one swing—at a time. #SmallActsBigImpact #BigLittleJC #SupportChildren #GolfForGood #MakingADifference

When we talk about accessibility, we don’t just mean how easy a building is to access if you have a mobility issue, we mean the whole experience – how people interact and communicate with the world and people around us, or how we experience an environment or service from a sensory point of view. At Include, we work hard to ensure that communication needs or disabilities are not a barrier to access or inclusion in our projects. Many of the adjustments we make are not to do with literal access ramps (often the first thing that comes to mind when people consider disability access)! That's why we have written a blog on how to make Reasonable Adjustments for people with communication disabilities, including the link to a FREE Easy Read from our coproduction group the Champions. To learn more about how to make Reasonable Adjustments, please visit our blog: https://bit.ly/48JwjLu For a free Easy Read written by the Champions, you can visit this link: https://lnkd.in/eEWc3kwj If you or your organisation would like to know more about how to become inclusive communicators, please email info@include.org! #purpletuesday #accessibility #reasonableadjustments #disability #inclusionmatters #makaton #inclusivecommunication #charity #surrey [Image Description: A graphic of the Communication Access Ramp, a ramp built up of steps with Makaton symbols. The bottom step in blue reads: "Raise awareness of communication needs". The next step in purple reads: "Increase understanding of inclusive communication". The next step in orange reads: "Build confidence & self-advocacy skills in people with communication needs". The final step reads: "Train people to be inclusive communication partners".]

Support Future Life for the Disabled: Empowering Abilities, Transforming Lives I am excited to share a glimpse into the incredible work being done by the Future Life for the Disabled foundation. This organization is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by providing them with valuable skills in shoemaking, batik tie and dye, computer software, soap making, sewing, bead making, and more. At Future Life for the Disabled, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to society. Through our training programs, we are not only equipping people with disabilities with practical skills but also fostering independence, boosting self-esteem, and paving the way for brighter futures. However, we cannot do this alone. We need the support of compassionate organizations and individuals who are willing to invest in the potential of these remarkable individuals. Your support can help us expand our programs, reach more people, and provide the resources needed to transform lives. I invite you to watch this video and see the impact of our work firsthand. If you’re inspired by what you see, please consider partnering with us, making a donation, or simply sharing our story with your network. Together, we can create a more inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #SupportFutureLife #EmpowerDisabilities #InclusiveGrowth #TransformingLives

Buy One = Empower Many 🚀 At Stand Out Socks, we're more than just a sock brand. We're a movement dedicated to empowering our community by raising awareness for Down syndrome and disability inclusion. Every pair of socks you buy helps us make a difference in multiple ways: Creating Conversations 🗣️: Our unique and eye-catching designs spark conversations about Down syndrome and disability inclusion. Wearing Stand Out Socks isn't just a fashion statement; it's a powerful way to raise awareness and foster understanding in everyday settings. Empowering Communities 💪: We provide meaningful paid work opportunities to individuals with learning disabilities, aiming to empower individuals and foster independence. We offer tailored job placements and support, so we help each person develop valuable skills and build self confidence. In addition to our primary mission, we are dedicated showing we can also give back to our community. We proudly supported various charities, helping to raise in excess of £15,000. Together, we are breaking down barriers and creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By choosing Stand Out Socks, you join a community dedicated to making a difference. Together, we can create a world where everyone is included and valued. 🧦✨ Stand out, start conversations, and empower your community with Stand Out Socks! ✨🧦 Follow our story - Stand Out Socks ✌️🧡🧦 #StandoutSocks #DownSyndromeAwareness #DisabilityInclusion #CommunityEmpowerment #BuyOneEmpowerMany

One of my favorite Rumi quotes is:" Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal.” I am so grateful that I am able to serve on the board of YouthCare Seattle. Thank you for the opportunity, Degale Cooper. Each year, 4.2 million young people in the U.S. experience homelessness. LGBTQ+ youth are particularly vulnerable. Factors like family conflict, poverty, and lack of affordable housing contribute to this crisis. 🛑 **Challenges Faced by Homeless Youth:** - Basic needs: food, shelter, safety - High risks: health issues, substance abuse, exploitation - Limited opportunities: education, employment ❤️ **YouthCare’s Impact:** In Seattle, YouthCare provides: - Safe spaces, nutritious meals, hygiene facilities - Outreach teams connecting youth to resources - Education programs for high school and vocational training - Mental health counseling and addiction recovery - Transitional housing for independence 💪 **Get Involved:** Supporting YouthCare means directly impacting young lives. Donations fund shelter beds, counseling, and education. Check out their website to see what they need the most. https://lnkd.in/gnzXJUxF Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness and empower youth. Watch this video to see the difference YouthCare makes: #YouthCare #EndYouthHomelessness #SupportOurYouth #CommunityImpact #Volunteer #Donate

💙 Together, We Can Fight Loneliness for People with Learning Disabilities 💙 Did you know that over two-thirds of people with a learning disability feel lonely some or all the time? That’s double the rate compared to non-disabled people. Loneliness doesn’t just affect how we feel – it impacts our quality of life, mental health and even physical health in ways we can’t ignore. We believe in creating a world where everyone feels connected and valued. That’s why we’re holding our second annual Learning Disability Conference, a unique event by and for people with learning disabilities. This conference will offer opportunities for people with learning disabilities to meet new friends, learn, and feel part of their community. 💪 You can help us make this a reality! Whether through a donation or by sharing this post, your support makes a difference. Let’s build a world where everyone belongs. 👉 Donate today and help us spread inclusion and belonging. Together, we can make a huge impact! Click this link to donate to Belonging Learning Disability Conference: https://bit.ly/47w9t9M #CharityTuesday #DonateNow #MakeADifference #LearningDisabilities #Belonging #BeHeard

💙 Together, We Can Fight Loneliness for People with Learning Disabilities 💙 Did you know that over two-thirds of people with a learning disability feel lonely some or all the time? That’s double the rate compared to non-disabled people. Loneliness doesn’t just affect how we feel – it impacts our quality of life, mental health and even physical health in ways we can’t ignore. We believe in creating a world where everyone feels connected and valued. That’s why we’re holding our second annual Learning Disability Conference, a unique event by and for people with learning disabilities. This conference will offer opportunities for people with learning disabilities to meet new friends, learn, and feel part of their community. 💪 You can help us make this a reality! Whether through a donation or by sharing this post, your support makes a difference. Let’s build a world where everyone belongs. 👉 Donate today and help us spread inclusion and belonging. Together, we can make a huge impact! Click this link to donate to Belonging Learning Disability Conference: https://bit.ly/47w9t9M #CharityTuesday #DonateNow #MakeADifference #LearningDisabilities #Belonging #BeHeard

#BookReview This summer I stumbled across a beautiful book Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary, Resilient, Disabled Body written by Rebekah G. Taussig. Rebekah became paralyzed fighting cancer as a little girl. This book shares her experiences navigating a world that wasn't designed for her body. She tells stories with wit and charm. This is one of the rare books where I slowed down the audio book to 1x speed because I wanted to linger longer with Rebekah. The story that sticks most in my mind is about her getting from her wheelchair into her car. She tells about the countless parking lot moments when people offer to help her with a task she does regularly without challenges. Teaching people how to disassemble her wheelchair invariably takes more time than doing the job herself. She describes how these unintended moments of ableism make her feel small. I love her reflections on the complications of kindness and charity. But how should people help? Rebekah talks about the challenges of finding accessible housing. When she finally found a place that might work it needed a ramp to get up two stairs. She looked long and hard to find a contractor that would be willing to help with the small job. Finally, she found an organization that helped make accessibility adjustments to housing. They built her ramp. This story resonates with me because as an accessibility practitioner, it’s our role to essentially BUILD RAMPS that enable the disability community to navigate the digital world. I’m grateful to work in a field that I find personally rewarding. I hope you can find some time as summer ends to linger with Rebekah's story. It's a story that motivates me to continue to push to make the world a little more inclusive for every person on the planet. https://lnkd.in/gRsPpj99