Engage

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1. Speak directly to disabled persons; do not assume they need someone to listen and speak for them

 

 

2. Start a conversation with someone who has a disability, but not about their disability

 

3. Start a conversation with a friend, family member, or colleague about inclusion

 

4. When passing someone with a disability, be friendly and smile just like you would at any person! ​

 

5. Invite someone with a disability to speak at your workplace about accessibility

Support

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6.  Share and like the social media posts of a disability organization

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7. Buy a creative work of a disabled artist or maker, such as Sienna Turton

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8. Volunteer with an organization or initiative such as Special Olympics BC ,or Best Buddies

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9. Make a financial or material donation to such an organization

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10. If you are so equipped, share your home with someone who has a disability

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11. Hire someone with a disability or encourage your manager to do so; there are many benefits!

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Check your assumptions, attitudes, and  actions

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12. Reflect on your views and actions, and consider if you are contributing to negative stereotypes

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13. Politely correct any ableist stereotypes about disability

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14. Be sensitive to language and how words may perpetuate harmful attitudes

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15. Do not pity persons with disabilities

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16. Remember there are many layers to every person; people are much larger than their disability

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17. Reflect on how persons with disabilities are framed in media, and how this shapes public attitudes

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18. Be patient and remember that all people, disability or not, have their own communication style 

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19. Remember that fitting in and taking what is given is not the same as being able to choose

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Advocate

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20. Send an email or letter to a public representative asking how they are supporting inclusion

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21. Attend meetings of a local advocacy group, such as the Vancouver Community Council

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22. See if your favourite venues are physically accessible, and if they are not, let management know 

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23. Ask your school or your child's school if they are educating inclusively; if they are not, ask why​

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24. You do not need a disability to be involved, but always value the unique experiences of those living the issue

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Learn

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25. Learn some sign language, and then sign hello to a group of friends or family!

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26. If you are a becoming a teacher, take a class about working with disabled youth

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27. Take a disability studies course, or read why the benefits of accessibility are universal

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28. Watch an educational film or online video, such as Free Wheelin' or A Place in the World

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29. Learn about disability simulations, why some people are critical of them, and what the alternatives are

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30. Familiarize yourself with the research supporting inclusive education and inclusive hiring

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31. If you have a website, check to see if it follows web content accessibility guidelines

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32. Take the BC Disability Quiz and share what you learn with someone

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33. Read about disabled role models, such as Chris Nikic 

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34. Learn about the International Access Symbol, and why some people want to redesign it

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35. Read about the differences between people-first language and identity-first language, and remember that not everyone agrees on correct phrasing

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Community Inclusion Main Page​​​