DISABILITY & ACCESSIBILITY
In Focus
"See more clearly when you are informed"
Disability refers to a person with a physical or mental impairment limiting one or more major life activities in a substantial way and Accessibility refers to a design of products, devices, TOOLS, services, vehicles, environments, etc to be usable by those with disabilities so there is no access barrier. It is essential for individuals to advocate for people with disabilities so they can share the same rights, choices & control as those who are non-disabled. Below you will find key terms, statistics, and other useful tools to understand and talk about Disability & Accessibility. If you would like to know more, consider coming to an IYC event. Our next one can be found below in the section labeled Our Events. We host them virtually, on a wide range of topics, discussing policy, civics, and current events.
Key Terms You Should Know
Independant Living Movement:
Advocacy and services for people with disabilities to live independent & autonomous lives entitled to the same rights, choices & control as those who are non-disabled.
Accommodation:
Changes to an environment, format, or tool to enable someone with a disability to gain access and complete tasks in the workplace.
Ableism:
Intended or unintended prejudice that privileges those without disabilities & views those with disabilities as ‘less than’ or not ‘normal’ or that need to be ‘fixed’.
Disability:
A person with a physical or mental impairment limiting one or more major life activities in a substantial way.
Accessibility:
Design of products, devices, TOOLS, services, vehicles, environments, etc to be usable by those with disabilities so there is no access barrier; includes accessible/universal design; sometimes has required laws to mandate (e.g., 1964 Urban Mass Transportation Act & 1965 Voting Rights Act) but prior to the 1990 ada related laws were less impactful.
Moments In History
1817 - ‘American School for the Deaf’ Founded in Hartford, CT.
1968 - The first International Special Olympic Games held in Chicago, IL
2024 - Digital accessibility requirements for web content & mobile app accessibility update added to the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (AKA ADA).
1914 - 1945 - Numerous laws enacted by the government to integrate disabled veterans into daily life after two major world wars .
1977 - Protests erupted around the country, including a month-long sit-in, to get the gov’t to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (AKA 504); this law recognized disability as a civil rights category.
Statistics
According to Pew Research Center, 40% of public schools had a special education teaching vacancy During the 20-21 school year reported as difficult or impossible to fill.
According to the CDC, 1 in 4 U.S. adults (61 m) has a disability that impacts major activities in their lives.
According to Cornell University, In states where the unemployment rate was reduced quickly: 51.8% of the new jobs were for people with disabilities were remote, compared to 30.5% of the new jobs were for people without disabilities.
According to Accenture,
1.6 x’s revenue
2.6 x’s net income
2 x’s economic profit
results for companies that lead on
key disability inclusion criteria.
According to the Finity Group, 65% of individuals living in poverty for at least 3 years had a disability.
Values
Open-mindedness
Civil Rights
Visibility
Acceptance
“Nothing with us, without us”
Notable Names
Harriet Tubman
Judy Heumann
Emily Ladau
Frida Kahlo
Charles Xavier
Symbols
Our Events
Past
Future
Further Resources
Disability & Accessibility Infographic
Share what you have learned about Disability & Accessibility. Our Infographic has been designed to be shared easily by printing, emailing, or posting on social media. Click on the image to view or download the PDF File. (Not for commercial use.)
Popcorn & Chat Event Video
Our film event was insightful and fun! After watching Invitation To Dance together, we discussed the film and what we learned about Disability and Accessibility. Feel free to share this video with others! (Not for commercial use.)
Reading List
Want to dig deeper into this topic? Here's a curated reading list to get you started.
Heads up book lover, some of these are affiliate links. Buy through them and we earn a small commission, which goes right back into supporting our nonprofit's mission. You get a good book; we get a little help doing good work. Everybody wins!
Take Action
Use Language appropriate to the individual’s preference. Not sure? Ask.
Find the opportunity to tell someone “We are all temporarily abled.” we can become disabled at any time.
Don’t engage in Triangular Conversations. This is when a person who is co-present with a disabled person and someone else, speaks to the disabled person through the nondisabled person As if they are not present.
Admit your mistakes. In a conversation adjust your language and behavior as needed to treat all people the same. after all, Laws don’t change attitudes, people do.
Share our Disability and Accessibility Infographic with friends, family, and anyone and everyone you think would appreciate becoming more informed!