01/11/2026
Disability Rights are Human Rights. It’s time we work collectively to abandon all ableist practices and policies that negatively impact the lives of disabled people! After all, there is no right way to do a wrong thing.
📌 ABLEISM
Ableism is a term that refers to the discrimination, prejudice, or systemic bias against individuals with disabilities. It is the belief—intentional or not—that people without disabilities are inherently superior, leading to attitudes, policies, and environments that marginalize people with disabilities.
Learn more about ableism and why it needs to be abolished.
nys.org/blog/uncategorized/ableism/
📌 SEGREGATION
Segregation is the root cause of oppression in schools, homes, communities and places of worship.
“Disability is a natural part of the human experience that does NOT diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to enjoy the opportunity to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, and experience full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society.” - The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
As long as segregated spaces are considered acceptable options, creative thought and problem solving are invalidated. We can’t let the status quo and the phrase, “We’ve always done it this way.” lead to inaction.
📌 EUPHEMISMS
Words can harm or heal. They impact our reality and wellbeing. Disability or Disabled… !
Learn more about the importance of the campaign and why your words matter.
https://publichealthpost.org/health-equity/say-the-word/
📌 INDEPENDENCE MYTH
No one is independent! Not you, or anyone else. We are ALL interdependent!!
So why are we holding people with disabilities to a higher standard than we hold ourselves? We must move away from the “myth of independence,” that everyone can and should be able to do everything on their own.
“Independence is NOT measured by the number of tasks we can do without assistance, but the quality of life we can lead with assistance. - ADA, 1990
True independence is about having the freedom to make choices about how to live, including the choice to ask for help when needed. Knowing who to ask for help is an independent choice.
https://rubinmuseum.org/embracing-interdependence/
MARRIAGE PENALTIES
Some disabled people still can’t get married and maintain needed benefits. This inequality must be addressed.
Learn more about the marriage penalties faced by people with disabilities and their partners, what’s at stake, and ways you can take action.
https://dredf.org/marriage-equality-toolkit/
📌 SUB-MINIMUM WAGE EARNINGS
Do you know that it is legal to pay workers with disabilities sub-minimum wages?
“Bottom Dollars” exposes this exploitative system and offers solutions to end segregation and discrimination against workers with disabilities.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaYgKAZMUNMx9Ca-9Z4NdIIwLCuQ7FJcB&si=YCbCery7vvv7v5z-
