The Importance of Awareness
One of the most exciting aspects of the Internet is that it allows people to connect with people they would never have been able to access. For example, there are people with disabilities who are not able to use computers due to the difficulty patients have learning how to use them.As we grow into a world where everyone can communicate through social networks, we must think about ways that we as citizens can continue to be aware and make our voices heard. It is a great way for us as citizens to help raise awareness by making sure that our rights are protected and protected by law.
Creating a Deeper Understanding
There are many ways to raise awareness and create good practices for inclusion. The best way is to be a part of the solution.To give an immediate example, I would like to introduce two organizations that are helping us as individuals, corporations and professional organizations alike, in our efforts to create and implement inclusive environments for people with disabilities. One is the Disability Awareness Network (DAN), an international, independent non-profit organization founded in 1994 by a group of disability activists from around the world, who together share their experiences with disabilities in order to develop strategies for change. And another is the Disability Awareness Foundation (DAF), which was founded in 1999 by a group of disability activists from around the world, who together share their experiences with disabilities and their strategies for change to better build inclusive environments for people with disabilities.The DAN has been involved in a number of advocacy initiatives that have helped have had positive impacts on policy, legislation and public opinion. In 2006 DAN joined together with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Mental Rights (UNSRMR) to form the UNSRMR-DAN Steering Committee; UNSRMR-DAN has since become one of DAN’s largest donors and sponsors. Internationally known philanthropist Bill Gates donated $1 million dollars towards DAN’s early years so that they could focus on political advocacy at the national level rather than focus on developing grassroots networks at local levels.In 2008 DAF joined together with other disability rights organizations from across the globe including the United Nations General Assembly Subcommittee on Protection of Civilian Persons and Non-International Armed Conflict (UNSCAP) to form UNESCO’s International Commission on Inclusive Education (ICIE). ICIE has since become one of DAF’s biggest donors and sponsors as well as UNESCO’s global partner in education against discrimination based upon disability. ICIE has also worked very closely with UNESCO’s Disability Program Office (DPO) which focuses specifically on promoting inclusion for people with disabilities throughout their lives through education, employment opportunities, health care services and quality housing policies.
The Role of Education
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has defined education as an “essential” human right. However, only a small fraction of the world’s population has the basic education it takes to thrive. In 2012, over 2 billion people were deprived of their right to education. One example is a 6-year-old girl in China whose parents decided that she should be educated at home in order to earn money for her family. For more information about the issue and other stories about disability, visit http://www.unodc.org/disability
Raising Awareness in the Workplace
The key to raising awareness in the workplace is not to be afraid of being understood. The same goes for how you communicate with other people. Be open and honest about your experiences.Emphasize that people with disabilities are human beings just like the rest of us, and that the world is full of good and bad people. You can’t tell someone what to think about an issue if you don’t understand it yourself. But it does help if you can relate to the situation.
Changing Attitudes and Behaviours
There are many ways to raise awareness of discrimination against disabled people, but none of them work.The first thing to discuss is the simple (and utterly obvious) fact that you are a human being with a disability. Therefore, it is up to all of us to stop thinking that we are above this, or better yet, treat it as an issue with which we should just “get on”.The next step is to ask yourself: “How do I want to be remembered?”Do you want your name written in lights as the one who made a difference? Do you want recognition and prestige for your efforts? Or do you want people looking at you and wondering how you were able to do what you did?In order for change to occur, all of us need to choose the right message. The one that works best for you will be the one everyone remembers. The one they appreciate most. And the one they’re sure they can never forget.
Taking Action
People with disabilities face many obstacles in life. They may not have the physical capacity to engage in activities that others can. They may have limited mobility. They may be socially isolated. Or they might be deaf or blind and unable to speak.The World Disability Rights Organization (WDRO) estimates that there are more than 3 million disabled people in the world, with many more being trapped in “hidden disabilities” that are often invisible to others.We need your help raising awareness of the needs of people with disabilities not just within yourself but also within your family and friends — especially those who are not disabled themselves — so that these needs can be better recognized and addressed. The term disability is an umbrella term for a wide range of conditions caused by physical or medical limitations as well as general psychological, social and emotional impairments.
The Way Forward
The disability awareness movement is one of the most exciting and creative ways to make a difference in our world. It has opened my eyes to the fact that we need to do more than just be aware of discrimination against people with disabilities.Some people may say that awareness is enough, but how many people realize that they can change their own lives?I’m not talking about changing policies or laws. I’m talking about how you are living your life. Let me assure you, if you want to live a life with less barriers and where you don’t feel as though you have to hide or worry about being judged, you have to start somewhere. If you want changes to occur in your favor, it is up to each individual to create them for themselves.Awareness without action isn’t going anywhere. I repeat: action without awareness isn’t going anywhere either because then there would be no difference between blindness and underexposure. From my perspective as someone who was born blind, I cannot deny that I still have a lack of awareness toward the issue of people with disabilities who are often denied access and opportunities due to societal prejudices and phobias regarding their physical appearance or other factors (i.e., obesity).Awareness is not enough when it comes to raising disability awareness because it becomes a one-way street. When someone feels like they are alone in their feelings, they may feel as though they cannot reach out for help because they don’t want others, who also experience challenges like blindness themselves, thinking that they are not qualified to help others when they don’t even know how! It is important for individuals with disabilities and those who care about them — especially those with disabilities — whether they know it or not — be ready for an awakening moment where they will realize how amazing their lives truly are!