Side by Side’s Post

One question I've been getting more frequently is about how bad it is to be a young person in Aussie media and political spaces, which I understand but as a disabled young person being young isn't the main roadblock I keep hitting. Don't get me wrong, Australian media and political spaces are absolutely excluding young voices, but it's not my age that gets brought up in angry dms from tabloid hacks when they are mad at my writing. It's also not my age that leads to me constantly getting sent slurs online. And it only gets worse the bigger my platform grows (which is still quite small). And this is from a cis-straight-white man with an invisible disability, the discrimination is obviously worse as other factors of intersectionality get brought into play for other people. As tiring and frustrating as the exclusion of young voices is, it's hard to have that conversation about lack of opportunities when I know that if the opportunities open up, disabled people will only get a chance when being used as a prop and not a person, while also being opened up to more bigotry.

The famous quote, "I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better," spoken by Maya Angelou, powerfully underscores the significance of personal growth and learning from past experiences. The impact of panic on social media is not uniform and varies based on an individual's gender, age, and level of education. Over the years, advancements in nutrition and healthcare have brought about remarkable improvements in the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities, enabling them to lead longer, more fulfilling lives and become active contributors to their communities. It is imperative to recognize individuals with intellectual disabilities as valuable members of society and provide them with opportunities for employment, income, and participation in age-appropriate activities, all of which are vital for their social inclusion and overall well-being. This becomes even more crucial during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as individuals with disabilities may encounter additional challenges.

Today is the International Day of Older Persons 2024, with the theme of "Ageing with Dignity: Strengthening Care and Support Systems Worldwide." As we celebrate this day, let's recognize how older individuals enrich our lives and strengthen our society. In the workplace, they are invaluable #mentors, bring #diversity to decision-making and #leadership, and provide stability with their wealth of #experience. Beyond work, they play crucial roles in our families and communities, fostering intergenerational bonds, supporting working parents, and often leading community initiatives. This year's theme reminds us of our collective responsibility to improve support systems, combat ageism, and ensure dignity for people of all ages. By valuing the contributions of older generations, we create a more inclusive and resilient society for everyone. #InternationalDayOfOlderPersons #AgeingWithDignity #AgeDiversity

The National Disability Institute (NDI) Small Business Team is excited to announce a new initiative focused on empowering Maryland’s entrepreneurs with disabilities by fostering innovation, inclusivity and economic growth. Our mission is to create a diverse and resource-rich entrepreneurial ecosystem that champions diversity in STEM, R&D and manufacturing. Connect with us at https://lnkd.in/emkGXWtx. Image description: Square dark teal graphic with white text reading: New Initiative! Inclusive Services for Disabled Entrepreneurs in STEM, Research and Development in Maryland. A photo of a wheelchair user holding a chemistry flask fades into the background. 

Great to see the Sweetgrass Method disseminated in this text!

Did you know🔎 ✨Across England, the number of school pupils with SEND has surged by 27% from January 2019 to January 2024, reaching 1.7 million pupils. ✨Nearly one in four working-age individuals are classified as disabled. Now, more than ever, it's crucial to connect with the upcoming generation and build your talent pipeline. Join us at Beckmead College for an exciting event that offer insights into this significant and growing segment of the workforce. 🎯 Discover how engaging with young people with disabilities can enhance your organization's innovation, productivity, and culture.   The program will include: 🔷 Panel Discussions: Learn from employers who have successfully integrated young people with disabilities into their teams, sharing both challenges and triumphs. 🔷 Networking Opportunities: Connect with employers, educators, and community organizations dedicated to disability inclusion. 🔷 Meet Your Social Value & Corporate Social Responsibility: Engage with students at Beckmead College and participate in Q&A sessions about your industry. 👉🏽 "Employers from ALL industries are welcome to join!!!

🌈 In recent years, the search for an inclusive, supportive environment has become a central concern for many families. For Black, queer, non-Christian homeschooling families, this search can be even more challenging. As someone who has lived in various cities across the United States and is tired of its anti-Black racism, anti-trans politics, and general lack of community, I empathize with the desire to find a better place to raise a family. For those who choose to remain in the U.S., joining groups working towards systemic change can provide a sense of community and shared purpose. For families considering relocating outside the U.S., moving can offer opportunities for greater acceptance, safety, and community support that may not be available domestically. The choice to stay and make change or to go is highly personal and dependent on individual circumstances and needs. Decisions made by BIPOC families for their survival and well-being should be respected and not judged. In this Substack, I try to listen to the needs of the community, and do extensive research to help save families time and stress. That said, I identify as a straight, white woman of Eastern European descent. To research this topic, I did a deep dive on what BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ families have to say about the best (and worst) places to provide a secular homeschooling education to their kids.

Professor Christopher Murray, PhD has a new opportunity to revamp the way youth with disabilities prepare to join the workforce. “The population of individuals with disabilities that this project seeks to reach, those with significant disabilities, experience even higher unemployment and are one of the most disenfranchised communities in the United States,” Murray said. With help from a $10 million U.S. Department of Education grant, Murray and his College of Education team will collaborate with community partners to evaluate existing programs and then develop a model to eventually serve multiple regions across Oregon. https://lnkd.in/grEYtJP2

Earlier this year, CE International and the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute collaborated with the Zero Project to interview 2024 Zero Project Awardees about their innovations that are improving disability inclusion for children, families, and communities. Learn more and watch recordings of the interviews: https://lnkd.in/dbqWnc6r Image description: A bright, multicolored graphic of people holding hands and walking forward together. Text says, "Stories of Inclusion & Innovation: Inclusive Community-Based Programs Around the World."

Here’s a truth you may not want to hear. Society tells us to downplay it. Society tells us to ignore it and not engage with it. It also doesn’t tell us 20% of us have disability at any one time, and that number rises to 45% for those over 65. Even higher for those over 75. Start engaging with and demanding accessibility and inclusion. Do it for your future selves.