Briar Harte’s Post

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities set out a vision for disability leadership and a more equal society. This was emphasised by the Disability Royal Commission and is central to the “nothing about us unless it is led by us” mantra. Professor Paul Harpur OAM is advocating for inclusion at #UQ of people with disabilities into higher education - not just students but leaders in disability and inclusion research. Watch this space! AND, read this 👉 #UQ's Disability Inclusion Research and Innovation Plan: https://lnkd.in/gHVSK9Vg #CRPD

This is great and not just for the USA but all countries as disability is rarely included in Diversity and Inclusion policy because it's not the popular trending issue. To have real diversity and inclusion and for DEI to be sustainable and accepted, all diverse people need to be included. People with disabilities do have abilities. People with disabilities do want to participate and be included. People with disabilities don't want the world to change for them, they want to be included in the world and society by acknowledging their existence. The real life experiences, skills, knowledge and abilities that people with disabilities that have abilities have gained can be used in any industry, company, business, organisation and government as they offer additional and different knowledge. #disabilityawareness #diversity #disabilityinclusion #inclusion #disabilityisnotinability #DEI #DEIB #diversityinthrworkplace #people #life #governmentpolicy

This is such an important conversation that needs to continue beyond Disability Pride month. #DisabilityPrideMonth #disability #accessibility #inclusion #equity #diversity #DisabilityInclusion #DisabledPerson #PersonsWithDisabilities #disabilities

International Day of People with Disability 2024 focuses on ‘Amplifying the leadership of people with disabilities’. There are so many events in so many places but what we all really want is inclusion and an equal world.  Today I had the privilege of addressing the Department of Education at Marcus Clarke St in Canberra. I entitled my speech: “The Amplification of the leadership of people with disabilities strengthening strategic leadership and direction for the education system”. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities set out a vision for disability leadership and a more equal society. This was emphasised by the Disability Royal Commission and is central to the “nothing about us unless it is led by us” mantra. I believe in a world that is more inclusive. I further believe  higher education is the machine which can lead us to that world. We educate, we employ, we produce research and innovation and always punch above our weight in benefiting the nation. Today is no different. Today I got to work with policy experts and help craft workable solutions that will benefit everyone.  I was asked today “are you an optimist or a realist?” I say realist. Higher education helps make the impossible possible and translate dreams to a reality. Of course, my positive perspective is helped by the fact I work at a university that has been ranked #1 in Australia by the Australian Financial Review for the last 2 years and is a powerhouse at creating change. Since I am talking about the University of Queensland, let me plug our new #UQ Champions of Change Disability Inclusion Research and Innovation Plan: <https://lnkd.in/eBa8cz4z> This Plan outlines a bold vision for excellence in disability inclusion research at UQ. Developed in consultation with the research community, the Plan is a blueprint for enabling disability research, and researchers, across the University. It includes 24 actions aimed at supporting researchers with disabilities, enabling partnerships to support disability research and driving research excellence. Although this was exciting, it has meant I will be missing the UQ Disability Inclusion Advocacy Network #DIAN event! If you are on campus, then check that out!   Kate Chipperfield Kirsty Douglas Martie-Louise Verreynne Sarah Brown Jean McBain Brooke Szücs

Understanding Disability Pride Month: Key Insights from IAAP Member and CPACC Certificant 🦻 Meryl Evans, CPACC (deaf) July marks Disability Pride Month, a time to challenge perceptions and embrace disability as a crucial aspect of human diversity. Meryl K. Evans explores the essence of Disability Pride Month and its importance in her latest article. Key takeaways include: 1. Redefining Disability: It's about shifting perspectives to view disability as a part of our diverse human experience rather than something to be stigmatized. 2. Value in Diversity: Disabled individuals bring unique skills and creative problem-solving abilities, contributing significantly to the workforce. 3. True Allyship: Meryl emphasizes the need for genuine allyship, avoiding assumptions, and recognizing the spectrum of disabilities. This month and beyond, let's commit to making meaningful progress in accessibility and inclusion. For more insights, read Meryl’s article here: https://lnkd.in/ejj8sQ_5 #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityAdvocacy

Talking About Disability guide - This guide is more than just a resource. It’s a call to action. As Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs), we campaign on issues that are vital for our communities. We want our campaigns to be have the best possible chance of success. But what if the language we use is accidentally making the public and our communities less likely to support us? Working with strategic communications experts, eight DDPOs came together and developed the Talking About Disability guide. It’s based on extensive research on how effective we are as a DDPO sector talking about disability, the social model and our organisations. The guide gives you the best chance of persuading and motivating new people to support you, while staying true to who you are and the people who already support you. Here’s what you’ll discover: * The harsh reality: How our current communication strategies are failing to resonate with the public on disability issues. * The missing piece: Powerful message frames and narratives that spark real change in hearts and minds. * Actionable insights: Practical strategies you can implement immediately to craft impactful communication that gets results. * Building a movement: How to use the guide to help us unite as a DDPO sector and amplify our collective voice for disability rights. About the project The Talking About Disability project is a partnership between: * 8 DDPOs: Inclusion London, Inclusion Barnet , Action on Disability, Camden Disability Action, CHOICE IN HACKNEY, Merton Centre for Independent Living ,Real DPO, and Ruils Independent Living * Strategic communications experts Equally Ours * Funded by City Bridge Foundation and Trust for London https://lnkd.in/dDN5hta5

Happy Disability Pride Month! Disability Pride Month celebrates disabled persons and our contributions to society, while challenging the ableism that we face in all areas of society. As a disabled (blind) person, I have been repeatedly told that I am a problem. Either stated outright or implied, my presence in certain places, spaces and positions has evoked confusion at best and exclusion at worst. And I am beyond tired of it. This is why a few weeks ago, I delivered a keynote at the Government of Canada’s annual Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion entitled “I am not the problem: Understanding disability and reimagining accessibility and accommodations in the workplace and the world.” I am sharing a short clip from the keynote here and I have linked the full video in the comments to this post. The video will be available for the entirety of Disability Pride Month. I hope you enjoy it and watch the whole keynote. But most importantly, I hope you will share my name with organizations looking for speakers for Disability Pride Month and DEIB and accessibility advisors to support year-round programming. Because, as disabled people, we cannot live on platitudes and praise. We are not inspiring for existing nor are we to be pitied for persisting in the face of obstacles. Our work is valuable and it adds value. To make accessibility and disability inclusion alive and electric in every facet of society, we need people with disabilities leading this work. So hire us in leadership roles. Include us in all areas of society. Pay us equitably and fairly for our expertise and work. Dismantle ableist systems and barriers. Tell inclusive stories. Prioritize accessibility and disability inclusion. Share our names in rooms we are not in. Anything less than this is unacceptable. #DisabilityPrideMonth #disability #accessibility #inclusion #equity #diversity #DisabilityInclusion #DisabledPerson #PersonsWithDisabilities #disabilities

📅 Disability Pride Month starts on Monday 1st July. But what is the month about and why should organisations take part? For the disabled community, the month encourages self-acceptance and embracing all disabilities. It is also a chance for everyone to kickstart conversations about disability experiences and issues. This is important in the workplace because: 🔴 “In October to December 2023, 329,000 working-age disabled people were unemployed, a fall of 79,000 from October to December 2022. The unemployment rate for disabled people was 5.6%, which compared with a rate of 3.6% for people who are not disabled.” UK Parliament. 🔴 There are many benefits to employing disabled people, such as bringing “additional skills to the business, such as the ability to use British Sign Language (BSL)”. UK Government. 🔴 Disability awareness can help remove barriers for disabled colleagues. If you would like more information on how your organisation can participate in Disability Pride Month, see our Awareness Page: https://lnkd.in/dMju9vPe #DisabilityPrideMonth #Disability #Inclusion #Diversity #HR

Equal Asia Foundation and disability activists and allies at ILGA World’s disability pre-conference found solidarity and strength in each other. A shared vision united them for an ILGA that embodies radical disability inclusion. This statement calls for an ILGA that integrates disability justice as a core principle, recognises and respects intersectional identities, and commits to creating fully accessible spaces and practices. The activists outlined a framework with four key pillars for action: - Institutional Commitment and Policy Reform – Develop a disability inclusion policy, form a Disability Justice Task Force, and ensure anti-ableism training for all members. - Accessibility Standards – Establish comprehensive accessibility guidelines for events, make all communications accessible, and create a dedicated budget for accommodations. - Disabled Leadership and Representation – Prioritize disabled voices in leadership, create mentorship opportunities, and promote disabled narratives within ILGA. - Support for Grassroots Activists – Establish funding for disabled-led grassroots projects, facilitate regional peer networks, and build alliances with disability rights organisations. This call to action urges ILGA members to join in building an organisation that honours disability as integral to the LGBTIQ+ movement, ensuring that ILGA becomes a home for everyone. https://lnkd.in/gANu3DUU

💥 Beyond Labels: Honouring Resilience, Redefining Inclusion 💥 As we recognise Disability History Month, it’s a time to reflect on the journey of disability, livelihood, and the complexities of employment. Growing up, I often felt the need to hide my disability. I wanted to be accepted for who I was, beyond the label of disability and feared that revealing it might mean being seen as less capable. At the same time, I struggled with the idea of feeling ashamed of something that was out of my control—a part of who I am that I didn’t choose and shouldn’t have to hide. Historically, society has marginalised people with disabilities. For centuries, those deemed "different" were often placed in asylums, locked away from the world, and regarded as burdens. They weren’t seen as valuable, contributing members of society, and their potential was ignored. But over time, activists, advocates, and trailblazers challenged these views, striving for a world where people with disabilities could live and work with dignity and respect. Their efforts paved the way for greater acceptance and opportunity in employment, leading to vital legislation and societal shifts. It’s essential to recognise that disability is the one demographic anyone could be a part of in their lifetime. We are all just one moment away from facing the same challenges, and this should fuel our drive for greater inclusion and accessibility. Disability inclusion means breaking down barriers that have historically kept people with disabilities from thriving in the workforce. It means understanding that disability is part of human diversity—not something to be hidden or apologised for. So, this Disability History Month, let’s honour the courage of those who came before us and let's keep pushing forward for a future where employment is accessible, inclusive, and empowering for all people, regardless of ability. #DisabilityHistoryMonth #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityRights #DisabilityAwareness #EmpowerThroughEmployment