You want the best for your child— for them to be happy, have choices for their life, and be accepted for who they are. 

Yet, for kids with disabilities, for disabled children their path are filled with obstacles that aren't just about physical barriers. 

Your child faces prejudice, low expectations, discrimination, stereotypes, and misconceptions about their abilities, all of which impact their growth and opportunity.

The good news is... there's a powerful step you can take to advocate for your child and create meaningful change.

Say The Word – The A Word

Call out Ableism when you see it, hear, or feel it!

We can't be hemming and hawing around here and expect  to create change.

Ableism is not just an abstract concept.  It's a daily reality that manifests in so many ways:

 ❖ Medical professionals speaking down to disabled children, subtly implying their lesser value.
❖ Teachers and educators holding low expectations, limiting students’ opportunities to thrive.
❖ The broken education system's failure to incorporate inclusive practices, leaving children sidelined in their own education.

Catch the replay to hear parents share other examples. We also discussed practical things we can do to stop ableism. Click on image below.

A video thumbnail with a play button features Charmaine Thaner with blonde hair and a black and white top. Next to her is a notebook with "Don't Make Assumptions" written on it, surrounded by colorful writing utensils, a phone, and a tablet.

These examples of ableism are not just oversights. They represent a deeper, systemic issue that undermines the potential of millions of students across our country.

The Impact of Unchallenged Ableism

The consequences of unchecked ableism in our culture and education system are sadly pervasive:

🔷 Children grow up internalizing these low expectations, which limit the life they want for themselves.
🔷 You find yourself in a constant battle to advocate for your child’s rights and potential, often feeling isolated and defeated.
🔷 Our culture continues to view disability as something to be pitted or inspired by, without ever understanding or valuing the diversity of the human experience.
 

This cycle of ableism not only impacts your child, it also perpetuates a broken education system that is resistant to change, innovation, and true inclusivity.

Addressing this deeply rooted issue requires action that is both individual and collective. 

6 Things You Can Do

1.Say the Word: Recognize Ableism and call it out. Awareness is the first step towards change. By naming ableism when we see it, we start important conversations that challenge the status quo.

2. From 'Nothing About Us Without Us' to 'Nothing Without Us': The saying "Nothing About Us Without Us" tells us that disabled folks need to be part of any conversation about their lives. 

The newer idea, "Nothing Without Us," takes it a step further: It recognizes that disabled individuals have diverse interests and perspectives on many aspects of life beyond just their disabilities. They bring valuable insights into discussions on everything from arts and culture to science and technology, enriching the dialogue and contributing to a fuller, more varied understanding of the world around us.

3. Model Change: Be mindful of our language and actions, eliminating phrases that demean or underestimate the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. This includes reframing how we talk about disability, moving away from terms and phrases that perpetuate stereotypes.

4. Embrace Inclusivity in Social Media: Add image descriptions to your social media posts to ensure accessibility for people who use screen readers.

This simple act can make a world of difference in making information and content accessible to everyone.

5. Offer Respectful Support: Understand the importance of consent in assistance, recognizing the capability of individuals with disabilities.  Offer help AND also respect the person’s ability to accept or decline that help.

6. Redefine Narratives: Challenge the perception of disabilities being either tragic or inspirational. We need to move beyond stereotypes to celebrate the complexity and richness of living with a disability.

These 6 steps, may seem small and yet we know they are powerful. Choose at least one step you can commit to and start doing it today. 

You will help dismantle the structures of ableism in our schools!  We don't need another generation growing up and seeing disabled students as "less than".

As parents, educators, and allies, we hold the power to continue enacting change. Through our collective actions, conversations, and advocacy, we can shift the narrative and create an environment where every child is recognized for their gifts and contributions.

Together, we can transform challenges into change.

Let's do this!