Session 01: Disability Identity | Healthy Community Living

    • Contrast
    • Layout
    • Font
Disability Identity banner: ADAPT flag over sky

Session 01: Disability Identity



Disability Identity

“The way we view ourselves internally and in the context of a constructed society is key to learning to love, be loved and build love.”

– Dustin Gibson, Community Builder and Disability Justice Advocate

 





Woman taking a selfie while on the road in her wheelchair

Introduction

There are many different ways to identify with disability, and how you choose to identify is personal and unique to you.

You may:

  • Identify as having a disability because it allows you to ask for help or support to complete your goals
  • Identify as having a disability to share your story to help others learn from it
  • Know you have to do things a little bit differently than others, but do not know or use the technical name of your disability
  • Identify as having a disability created by the barriers in the community

You may not:

  • See yourself as a person with a disability, even if you were born with a medical condition
  • Identify as a person with a disability at all because of some of the negative thoughts and ideas about disability in our society
Return to Tabs
Person with superhero cape and mask covering part of their face

Disclosure

What is disclosure?

  • Disclosure means making something known
  • It is a fancy word for telling someone you have a disability
  • There may be times when you choose to share that you have a disability
  • There may be times when you do not want to share your disability
  • Whether or not to disclose your disability is always a personal choice
Return to Tabs
Sticker that says 'Hello My Name is' with different colored tape over space

Labels and Stereotypes

  • Labels are the words we use to describe aspects of a person, rather than seeing the person as a whole
  • For example, we might label a person as “tall” or “short”
  • Stereotypes are widely held beliefs about a group of people based on labels
  • For example, “Tall people play basketball” or “People who wear glasses are smart”
  • Labels and stereotypes are common, but can create challenges
Return to Tabs
Man looking to the side with his eyes mostly closed, behind is a blurry crowd of people

Discrimination

  • Discrimination is the act of treating someone differently, unfairly, or unequally because of the way they look or act
  • Discrimination may occur because of your disability, which can be frustrating, challenging, or difficult
  • People may discriminate against you because of beliefs, labels, or stereotypes about people with disabilities that may be untrue
Return to Tabs
Bottom half of a person in a wheelchair about to go down a wooden ramp

Accommodations

What are accommodations?

  • Accommodations are tools or adjustments that can be used for equal access and involvement in the workplace, school, home, daily activities, and in the community

“I don’t insist on accommodations to make your life harder; I do it to make my life easier.” ~ Katie DeMore

Return to Tabs
Woman in a power wheelchair leaning forward and laughing

Adjustment & Acknowledgement

  • There are many feelings and thoughts that we may share
  • It is OK to have positive and negative feelings about your disability
  • You may find tips and experiences from peers with disabilities helpful, but you do not have to compare your experience to their experiences
  • Even people with the same disability may have different experiences
  • Your disability process is unique to you
  • Your own disability process can change from day to day or with new life events
Return to Tabs

Resources

Accommodations

State Assistive Technology Act Programs

JAN Job Accommodation Network: Accommodations to Help You

The Art of Disclosing Your Disability: Employment

Video: The Benefits of Disability Disclosure

Video: Disability Disclosure

Video: Disability Disclosure Clip

Video: Accommodations Examples – What is Accessibility?

Ableism, Labels and Acceptance:

Video: Disabled Person OR Person With a Disability?

Video: Introduction to Ableism

Article: Disability Representation in Dolls  (Audio story)

Article: Mental Illness: How the Media Contributes To Its Stigma

Article: Disability Representation and Inspiration Issues

Article: Internalized Ableism

Video: Share the Magic – Disability Acceptance Video

Video: Young and Disabled – Chronic Illness

Suicide Prevention:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Video Credits

Annie Elainey

Ann Twirls

Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN)

Job Access

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation

Spinal Cord Injury BC

YO! Youth Organizing – Disabled & Proud



Previous Session:

Orientation

Next Session:

Peer Support

Back to top