JoAnne Chalom’s Post

🌍 Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities 🌍 On this important day, we want to take a moment to recognise and celebrate the contributions of individuals with disabilities while also shining a light on the challenges they face. Disabilities come in many forms, and non-visible disabilities, such as neurodivergence, are often overlooked. At Healthwatch Surrey, we believe it’s crucial to create inclusive spaces, especially in healthcare, where everyone can feel seen, heard, and supported. Recently, we published a report exploring the experiences of neurodivergent people during outpatient appointments: https://lnkd.in/eNqitktz This report highlights some of the barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals in accessing equitable healthcare—whether it’s communication challenges, sensory sensitivities, or the need for more flexible systems. It’s a reminder that small adjustments can make a big difference in creating a truly inclusive healthcare environment. Last week, we shared a powerful video showing what it can be like for individuals when the Accessible Information Standard is not adhered to—a stark reminder of the importance of making healthcare truly accessible for all. You can view the video here: https://lnkd.in/ecM7PEbC Looking ahead, this Friday, we will be sharing insights from another report on the hidden value of a diagnosis (https://lnkd.in/e-eUCiAy) at the Surrey Youth Focus Children's Neurodiversity Community of Practice event. Diagnoses can play a crucial role in helping neurodivergent individuals unlock support, understanding, and opportunities. We encourage everyone to reflect on how we can better support people with visible and non-visible disabilities, not just today but every day. Together, we can create a society where everyone’s voice is heard so we all receive the support we need for our wellbeing. 💜

Public Space Site-Specific Assessment: Guidelines to Achieve Quality Public Spaces at Neighbourhood Level https://lnkd.in/dZeXV_rB

I attended the launch of Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT)'s report "Creating a public realm for all". The launch came with a series of presentations which were very enlightening. In particular Nick Tyler CBE FREng's opening comment about guidance providing the bare minimum really struck a chord with me because so much design and debate is around "what's in the book" which, if we're honest, is in part a function of time and budget which means so much around accessibility and inclusion is just missed. I think the entire report needs to be read, digested and debated, but Chapter 7 stands out for me as it is very much about the dilemmas we face as designers. It talks about conflicts, or more precisely the things that help one group but don't help another - there are no answers here, just questions that need your serious thought and discussion with users, each other and other disciplines of course. Accessibility is never finished. https://lnkd.in/e8ZhFXVE

Thanks to Lancashire Business View for covering our big news!

‼️ FCC Invites Comments on Tentative Findings for CVAA Biennial Report to Congress Comments Due: August 30, 2024 On July 16, 2024, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau released a Public Notice inviting public comment on the tentative findings for the Commission’s Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) Biennial Report to Congress, which is due to Congress by October 8, 2024. The Public Notice invites public comment on the Commission’s tentative findings on: Compliance with the accessibility requirements for telecommunications and advanced communications services and equipment, and Internet browsers built into mobile phones; Whether accessibility barriers exist with respect to new communications technologies; and The effect of the CVAA’s accessibility recordkeeping and enforcement requirements on the development and deployment of new communications technologies. Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://lnkd.in/gYMRdTE3. All filings must reference CG Docket No. 10-213. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to [email protected]. Link to the Public Notice: https://lnkd.in/guaDs93b For general information about the CVAA, visit https://www.fcc.gov/cvaa. For further information, please contact Stephen Wang, Disability Rights Office (DRO), Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) at (202) 418-1634, or [email protected]; or Molly Burgdorf, DRO, CGB, at (202) 418-2173 or [email protected]. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432‐2275

ICYMI the May policy forum is available to view now. Learn more about the exciting things happening at the policy table!

Today is the International Day of People with Disability, and in recognition of this, our Director,Gerard Atkinson MBA QPR GAICD, has shared his perspective on the day as a person with lived experience. "It always seems a bit uncomfortable to talk about International Day of People with Disability. As an Autistic person with chronic auditory issues, for me it’s every day. And rather than bring out disability once a year, I try to use the privilege I have as a leader and consultant to government to represent disability every day and ensure that the perspectives of people with disability are included. After all, we are more than a fifth of the population, and if we consider the social and human rights models of disability, all of us are likely to experience disability during our lifetime. That being said, while I have lived experience, it’s only one perspective. Disability is a broad concept, and other people with disability will have completely different life experiences. To undertake high quality evaluation that can deliver practical and actionable insights, we need to make sure that we incorporate these perspectives. We do this by engaging co-researchers as part of projects. Not only does this allow us to gain a broader perspective, we invest in building the capacity of our co-researchers and provide employment opportunities that help to address the chronic underemployment experienced by people with disability. On the program evaluation side, this has translated to a deep understanding of disability and how our society can improve and enable access and participation. Over the past five years we have worked with governments and non-profits at all levels to design and deliver disability inclusion action plans, and evaluate programs, campaigns and multi-agency partnerships to understand what works to improve outcomes for people with disability. See some of our case studies here - https://lnkd.in/gRhE7xP9 But one of our biggest accomplishments has been the development of Universal Design approaches to stakeholder consultation. We can’t do stakeholder consultation well if our methods are not accessible, so we reshaped how we design and deliver it from the ground up. I write more on this in my recent article in Luminate, but it’s enabled people to share their experiences who previously would have gone unheard. See the luminate article here - https://lnkd.in/gAUMNWMg And that’s why even though it’s a bit uncomfortable, International Day of People with Disability is important. Because it creates a space for people to be heard and to feel heard. It’s up to us as evaluators and policy leaders to listen."

If you're looking for a job and have a disability, or if you're a guardian, family member, employer, DSP, case manager, policy maker, or just really care about making it easier for people with disabilities to find jobs, you should check out this article! It was made with the help of Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, and Iowa APSE Stories in this article can give you ideas on how to start promoting employment-first practices in Iowa. https://lnkd.in/gpwQbU_E

July is Disability Pride Month. If you have been following along with my posts, following is another Point of Pride... ** One of the things that helped me heal after my injury was returning to my passion. I had been a competitive athlete from the age of seven and am still one today. Sport has made the biggest impact on my life, making me the person I am—from inspiring confidence and competitiveness, to helping me take care of my body—paying attention to what I put in it, how I treat it, and being grateful for all of the things it can do for me, regardless of my disability. Yet I’ve often heard people refer to me as "wheelchair-bound" or "confined to a chair." However, what most don’t understand, is that a wheelchair isn’t a way to confine a person. It’s simply a mode of transportation. As a wheelchair user, I appreciate my chair every day because it is the thing that has taken me around the country and around the globe. It has enabled me to speak on stages around the country, compete, and live my life just like anyone else. The wheelchair, far from being a symbol of confinement, is actually freedom and empowerment. In my experience, it has enabled me to embrace life’s adventures and opportunities with a renewed sense of purpose. Through the support of organizations like the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the community of adaptive or “para-athletes,” I learned to view my wheelchair as a tool that enhances my capabilities rather than limits them. This shift in perspective allowed me to pursue new goals and push my boundaries. It gave me the confidence to compete in events I once thought impossible. I realized that my wheelchair was not a limitation but a means to reach new heights. When I look at the video I’ve posted, that’s what comes to mind: the sense of freedom and possibility. Embracing the wheelchair as a means of independence and adventure has been one of my greatest points of pride on this journey. After all, “Why walk, when you can fly?” Let’s start creating a disability-friendly culture by changing our language. Here are a few Dos and Dont’s for using disability-friendly language: 1.    Don’t use the term “wheelchair bound”  or “confined to a wheelchair” when referring to a wheelchair user. 2.    Do use the term “accessible” when referring to things such as a bathroom or parking spot. When referring to an individual with a disability, it is okay to say the word or phrase disabled or has a disability (although this can be personal preference, so check in with the person or persons you are referring to). But in either situation the use of the word handicapped is outdated. 3.    Don’t use euphemisms like “differently-abled” or “special needs” unless the person prefers it. These terms often come across as condescending. #DisabilityPrideMonth #PointsOfPride #Inclusion #WorkplaceInclusion #Resilience #Advocacy

Effective communication is crucial when engaging with customers or colleagues with disabilities. It becomes particularly vital in a company that boasts a diverse workforce and promotes the contribution of fresh ideas and perspectives, transforming its diversity into a significant asset. The Iowa DD Council has a resource that provides tips on how to make meetings and public discussions more inclusive. https://lnkd.in/eQsaQHxx #disabilityetiquette #inclusionmatters #disabilityinclusion #disabilityemployment