“D/deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse people, face discrimination every day. Society tells us that people with disabilities are less-than; those disabilities should be “overcome” or ignored– not an inherent part of humanity that is embraced.
The entertainment industry perpetuates and reinforces this ableist narrative. On the rare occasion that we see disabled on screen, they are very often reduced to objectified tropes of either tragedies or inspirations. They are portrayed either as heroic for just existing; as powerless victims in need of pity; or as “others”: villains, curiosities, or freaks.
Film, television, and other media have enabled the negative treatment of disabled people for far too long. This must and will change.” [1]
There are plenty of documentaries about disabled people but very few are directed, written, or produced by disabled people.
Let’s get to know a few of the incredible disabled filmmakers:
“People with disabilities deserve to be portrayed in a way that’s accurate and honest because people without disabilities need to be informed, educated, and respectful of people with disabilities. Young people especially need positive, realistic portrayals of disabilities – and film and television are a great outlet for this.
Disability is a part of everyday life. If entertainment is to be a reflection of the real world, then it should always include disability.” [12]
“According to the CDC, 28.7% of U.S. adults have a disability in the United States —so it’s to our advantage to design our cities inclusively. Although some locations still lag when it comes to accessibility, some cities in America are doing things right for people with disabilities.” [1]
” When searching for a new home, people with disabilities often have a longer and more complicated list of considerations than other individuals. In addition to common wish-list items, such as reliable public transportation and diverse entertainment options, people with disabilities also must think about things like the accessibility of homes and public buildings.” [2]
“Cities were assessed for disability friendliness using 33 metrics across three main categories — economy, quality of life and health care.” [3]
“To determine the best city for people with disabilities, the study evaluated data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They ultimately took three main aspects into consideration:
Economy: This looked at the affordability of housing, the cost of living, the employment rate and average income for people with disabilities, the cost of in-home services, the waiting times for public housing and the availability of disability insurance.
Quality of life: This involved looking at how easy it is for people with disabilities to live and thrive in the city, including the number of wheelchair-accessible places like restaurants and parks. It also looked at the effectiveness of state Medicaid programs, how walkable the city is and the number of accessible homes for sale.
Health care: This considered the cost of seeing a doctor, the average health insurance premiums, the number of doctors and health-care providers within the city, the number of hospitals and the quality of the public hospital system.
Each of the three categories was weighed equally at 33.33%, giving each city an overall ranking out of 100.” [4] Each of these cities presents unique advantages, making them worth considering if you’re a person with a disability seeking a new place to call home.” [4]
People living with a disability deserve equality with their non-disabled peers. It’s extremely important for all the cities to prioritize becoming a safe, welcoming, and affordable place for people with disabilities and their families.
“Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body’s cells, which determine how the body forms and functions.
When babies are growing, the extra chromosome changes how their body and brain develop. This can cause both physical and mental challenges.
People with Down syndrome often have developmental challenges, such as being slower to learn to speak than other children.
Distinct physical signs of Down syndrome are usually present at birth and become more apparent as the baby grows.” [2]
“In recent decades, thanks to appropriate support and treatment, life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically: from 25 years in 1983 to more than 60 years today.” [1]
There’s no specific treatment for Down syndrome. But there is a wide range of physical and developmental therapies designed to help people with Down syndrome reach their full potential.
“Despite the challenges, many individuals with Down syndrome have gone on to achieve great success in their personal and professional lives. Here are well known celebrities with Down Syndrome who have made a significant impact in their respective fields.” [3]
“People with Down syndrome are just like everyone else. They have similar dreams and goals, and they want to have successful careers and families. They can drive, go to work, go to college, go on dates, get married, and contribute to society.” [1] “They may need additional help to learn to speak, to learn, to get a job, to navigate friendships and relationships – but there is no question that they can do and have these things.” [9]
“People with Down syndrome still face stereotypes and myths, but they’ve shown time and again that the condition is just one part of who they are and doesn’t define them or limit their abilities. That’s why it’s so important that during National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and all year long, we help spread the message of love, acceptance, inclusion, and respect.” [1]
Down Syndrome awareness month is observed every year in October, it is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome, they are small packages of genes in the body.
“Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October is the perfect time to learn more about the most common chromosomal condition in the United States. About 5,700 babies are born and diagnosed with Down syndrome in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” [1]
October was first designated as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the 1980s and has been recognized every October since. “It is a time to celebrate people with Down syndrome and make others aware of their abilities and accomplishments.” [2]
“Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body’s cells, which determine how the body forms and functions.
When babies are growing, the extra chromosome changes how their body and brain develop. This can cause both physical and mental challenges.
People with Down syndrome often have developmental challenges, such as being slower to learn to speak than other children.
Distinct physical signs of Down syndrome are usually present at birth and become more apparent as the baby grows.” [3]
“The physical symptoms of Down syndrome vary from person to person, but they commonly include:
A flattened facial profile, especially the bridge of the nose.
A short neck, with excess skin at the back of the neck.
Small head, ears and mouth.
Decreased or poor muscle tone or loose joints.
Almond-shaped, upward-slanting eyes, often with a skin fold that comes out from the upper eyelid and covers the inner corner of the eye.
A single crease across the palm of the hand.
A deep groove between the first and second toes.
Down syndrome can also cause intellectual and developmental symptoms that lead to cognitive impairment, which means challenges with thinking and learning. Like the physical symptoms, they vary and usually range from mild to moderate. Some common cognitive problems include:
Short attention span
Poor judgment
Impulsive behavior
Slow learning” [4]
“In recent decades, thanks to appropriate support and treatment, life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically: from 25 years in 1983 to more than 60 years today.” [2]
How is Down syndrome diagnosed and treated?
“Health care providers can check for Down syndrome during pregnancy or after a child is born. There are two types of tests for Down syndrome during pregnancy: A prenatal screening tests and a prenatal diagnostic test.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all pregnant women be offered a Down syndrome screening test.” [5]
There’s no specific treatment for Down syndrome. But there is a wide range of physical and developmental therapies designed to help people with Down syndrome reach their full potential.
The earlier you start treatment, the better. Children with Down syndrome can usually hit the same milestones as other children but at later stages. So, therapy is key to help children with the disorder meet those milestones.
Each child will have different needs. Yours may benefit from:
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Physical and speech therapists can help your child with sitting and walking properly, developing speech, and learning to communicate. Occupational therapists teach everyday skills like how to get dressed, eat, or use a computer.
Behavioral counseling. Children with Down syndrome may also have conditions like ADHD, autism, or compulsive behaviors that need to be addressed.
Specialized education services. By law in the U.S., children with Down syndrome can get free educational services and devices to help with learning. This assistance lasts until age 21 or when they finish high school, whichever comes first.
Social and recreation activities
Programs that offer job training and teach self-care skills
“People with Down syndrome still face stereotypes and myths, but they’ve shown time and again that the condition is just one part of who they are and doesn’t define them or limit their abilities. That’s why it’s so important that during National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and all year long, we help spread the message of love, acceptance, inclusion, and respect.” [2]
“Photography for disabled individuals brings additional considerations unique to the nature of the disability. There may be issues with vision, dexterity, strength, stability, or limb differences. Each will lead the aspiring photographer to seek solutions, either through creative techniques or choosing camera equipment best able to accommodate unique needs.” [1] However, “disability should never be a barrier to image making. Disability can strike at any time, but it doesn’t mean the end of photographic aspirations.” [2] Below we will read some inspiring disabled photographers’ histories:
“Every October, the U.S. Department of Labor promotes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme is “Ensuring Access to Good Jobs for All.” [1]
“Good jobs change lives, and all workers—including disabled workers—deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain and succeed in them. Reflecting this, “Access to Good Jobs for All” is this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” [3]
“This effort to educate the public about the issues related to disability and employment began in 1945, when Congress enacted Public Law 176, declaring the first week of October each year as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. Some 25 years later, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” [4]
“October is a powerful way to foster a more inclusive workplace.
These observances offer an opportunity to promote awareness, champion accessibility initiatives, and organize inclusive activities. These initiatives can benefit both employees and the organization! By embracing and planning ahead for celebrations, your company can create a supportive environment that values diversity, encourages equal opportunities, and enhances overall morale and productivity.” [2]
“How to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month?
Organizing Disability Awareness Events. …
Implementing Accessibility Initiatives. …
Planning Inclusive Activities. …
Highlighting Success Stories and Role Models. …
Providing Educational Resources. …
Partnering with Disability Organizations. …
Celebrating Different Types of Disabilities.” [2]
“How do you promote disability awareness in the workplace?
Incorporate Disability Training into Your Onboarding Process.
Model Appropriate Behavior.
Elevate Your Resources.
Amplify Marginalized Voices.
Sponsor a Lunch and Learn.” [5]
“This October, we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique as we build diverse, inclusive workplaces where all employees, including workers with disabilities, are recognized and fully accepted.” [6]
“According to the World Health Organization, about 15% of the world’s population lives with some kind of disability. With numbers like that, any kind of media worth paying attention to should have some decent representation of disabled people. Luckily for anime fans, there are some wonderful characters who fit the bill.” [1]
“Animation is a powerful form of storytelling because it welcomes all ages and its ceiling of creativity is nearly non-existent. Plus, the charisma of an animated character is universal. Often times, animated characters are our earliest inspiration because children love seeing animated shows. With such influence comes the responsibility for creators to leave a positive impact on viewers. In the following article, we’ve have highlighted animated characters with disabilities. These characters were created to show the underrepresented point of view of people with disabilities.” [2]
Seen how disabled people have been represented in animation is super positive to spreading the message that everyone feels respected and included, as no voice should go unheard. Everyone is valuable and unique.
“A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a professional who works with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) to help them become independent and integrated into their community. DSPs help people with IDD participate in their communities, including through employment.” [1]
“Every day across the nation, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a vital role in America’s workforce and economy by providing necessary supports and services to people with disabilities of all ages, including supports related to employment.” [2]
“It’s estimated there are more than two million Americans working as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
DSPs are often referred to as the backbone or linchpin of the care/support system for people with IDDs. These dedicated professionals specialize in providing the services necessary for their clients to live, work, and thrive in the community with their peers and family instead of institutions. At the same time, DSPs are the expert relationship builders who connect adults with disabilities to the appropriate volunteering opportunities, jobs, religious groups, friends, and civic life.” [3]
The Role of a DSP
“Historically, DSPs primarily served as caregivers for the people they supported. In the past few decades, however, the needs of those served began to change, and the roles of DSPs began to change as well. Today, the role of a DSP goes beyond caregiving and focuses more broadly on supporting people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities, live in integrated settings and seek competitive integrated employment (CIE). Some of the roles of a DSP include:
Supporting engagement with the community by providing:
Support in less congregate and more individualized settings
Job coaching
Employment support
Transportation
Using creative thinking for accommodations to help people with disabilities be more independent.
Providing caregiving and support with activities of daily living, including:
Medication administration
Mobility assistance
Wound care
Accessing food
Working with the people they support to Advocate for rights and services, such as:
Accessing resources and opportunities in the community
Working with the employer to customize job duties
Providing emotional support” [2]
Direct Support Professional demographics and statistics in the US
“There are over 210,771 direct support professionals currently employed in the United States.
75.6% of all direct support professionals are women, while 24.4% are men.
The average direct support professional age is 47 years old.
The most common ethnicity of direct support professionals is White (61.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (15.1%), Black or African American (9.7%) and Asian (8.3%).
Direct support professionals are most in-demand in New York, NY.
The government industry is the highest-paying for direct support professionals.
Santa Clara, CA pays an annual average wage of $60,753, the highest in the US.
In 2022, women direct support professionals earned 97% of what men earned.
7% of all direct support professionals are LGBT.
Direct support professionals are 72% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to government companies.” [4]
Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week
“Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week has been celebrated annually since 2008 to honor the important contributions of DSPs. The week recognizes the role DSPs play in helping people with disabilities live independently and participate in their communities.” [6]
“The NADSP co-sponsors National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week., sponsored by the United States Senate and 35 state Governors, the 2013 recognition week was the most widely accepted in its five-year history.” [6]
“Direct Support Professional Recognition Week in September is a great opportunity to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. The celebrations of the DSPs at the heart of our field are part of a nationwide party we throw every year to showcase the amazing and often unsung work of these incredible professionals and mark just a small fraction of the recognition that they deserve throughout the year.” [5]
“The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, happened between 28 August and 8 September, bringing together as many as 4,400 athletes from around the world. The athletes competed in 549 medal events across 22 sports, taking the spotlight at some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Chateau de Versailles and the Grand Palais.” [1]
Get to know some of the top US inspiring stars that competed in Pari’s Paralympians in 2024.
We are inspired by these amazing athletes and we are so proud of them as well.
“Art therapy utilizes visual arts to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities. By exploring different creative activities, adults with disabilities learn how to uniquely express themselves and build technical skills along the way.
This integrative and creative therapy has numerous benefits that include building self-esteem, enhancing communication, growing social skills, and more. With art therapy, individuals with disabilities have an outlet to explore their creativity, discover new passions, and boost their self-confidence.” [1]
“However, for people with disabilities, traditional art supplies and techniques can sometimes present challenges. Fortunately, there are many adaptive tools and technologies that make arts and crafts accessible to people with a wide range of abilities.” [2]
“Assistive technology for adaptive art includes special equipment or tools that help people with different abilities express themselves creatively. For example, someone with trouble holding a paintbrush might use a special handle that’s easier to grip, or someone with vision problems might use a computer program that turns shapes and colors into sounds. This technology is important because it allows everyone, no matter their abilities, to make and enjoy art.” [3]
See below a list of 10 adaptative art tools:
Other Tips
” Stabilizers or tremor cancellation devices can help with fine motor tasks.
Magnification can assist with detailed work such as sewing and needlecraft.
Tools can be attached to different areas of the body (like using a hat or head pointer).
Tools can be attached to wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids to create larger works. Artists can also create using gross motor movements!” [3]
“We believe that everyone should have access to the joy and fulfilment of creating art. With these ingenious gadgets and a little creativity, the world of arts and crafts becomes more accessible than ever before. There’s no limit for creativity.”
