"Any plan to shut down the Education Department — and, indeed, the cuts and layoffs that have already happened — will disproportionately hurt students with disabilities. That includes kids who receive special education, but also those in general education classrooms who get supports or accommodations to learn, from speech therapy to sign language interpreters to counseling."
The #SocialSecurity Administration “eliminated” the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (OCREO) on Tuesday, Law Dork has learned. “The OCREO office has been eliminated,” the auto-response message read of a person who, as of Monday at least, had been a director in the office. “Please wait for instructions from the agency to request #EEO counseling, report #harassment, or guidance for reasonable #accommodations.” https://www.lawdork.com/p/social-security-administration-civil-rights-office #trump #doge #Musk #government #law #maga
“My daughter’s #iep has to include #accommodations for tablet use,” said friend, mother of a 3 year old. “What?” says I, “For a #prepreK? That can’t be right. I will ask an expert.” Expert consulted. Expert responds with rage explosion: #NewMexico #PreK now require tablet based #assessments of fucking #toddlers instead of authentic data collected by human professionals for #portfolios. #earlychildhood #developmentallyinapropriate #Overtesting #stopthemadness #education #teaching
Accommodations in a Nutshell
Artist ami.illustrates on Insta
#accommodations #disabled #disability #disabilitymemes #disabledmemes #chronicillnessmemes #chronicillness #chronicallyill #handicapped
A few years ago I caved and bought a cheap Robo vacuum.
I had resisted for years - scolding myself with gaslighting comments like “your condo is so small - you SHOULD be able to vacuum yourself”
I was so mean to myself that I refused an accommodation tool that would help me
This is a common experience for disabled people. We often struggle to ask for the help we need. We feel bad about requiring assistive devices or items that will make life easier.
We see them as a “frill” because other people have taught us we don’t “deserve” them
I bought the cheapest one I could find and it still sat in a box in my apartment for months before I finally set it up.
It sat in the corner taunting me. Reminding me that I shouldn’t have wasted money, that I’m pathetic for not being able to clean my own floor
This tiny little tool that most people buy without a second thought caused me so much mental anguish.
Why? Internalized ableism.
It was the same thing with a shower chair. I resisted for years because I felt it meant I was “lazy” or “giving up”
Imagine a non disabled person thinking that way? They wouldn’t.
When you’re non disabled you’re taught that you DO deserve all the nice things.
You need help with something? Cool! You earned it!
You want a Robo vacuum to save you time? Go get it you worked hard for it!
It’s capitalism and ableism all rolled into one.
This idea that if you’re economically active and healthy, you are entitled to all the great things.
If you’re not? Sit down and accept whatever scraps the world throws at you and be grateful for them
It’s harmful and it results in people pushing themselves to the point of harm
I passed out in the shower and dislocated my shoulder before finally getting a chair
I face planted while vacuuming and ended up black and blue.
For what? To appease some outdated notion of worth?
I firmly reject our societal conception of worth.
We all have worth. A person shouldn’t have to work or have good health to be considered deserving of help, accommodation or love.
So I set up my Robo vacuum… and something incredible happened
I fell in love with it. He became my best friend. This tiny little device brought me more joy than I ever thought possible.
With the touch of a button my entire floor was cleaned and I didn’t have to exert or risk my health
My mast cells improved because I was able to stay on top of dirt and dust better.
My POTS body appreciated not spending days in a horrible flare after an attempt at vacuuming that didn’t do half as good a job as my Robo pal.
He broke the other day - and I’m not embarassed to admit that I cried.
He served me faithfully for years … and had clearly been tired these last few months.
But when he made his final sad little “meep meep” noise… I shed a tear
I cried for the loss of my little buddy, but also for everything he gave to me.
He represented the beginning of my journey to lean into my disabilities. Start accepting and accommodating my body instead of fighting it.
It was a huge gift. It relieved me of an enormous load I didn’t even know I had been carrying.
Now I have various bathroom safety tools, I’ve baby proofed parts of my home, I have a carer help me with showers and other difficult activities of daily living.
I know now that I’m worth it - and in a weird way my Robo helped teach me that.
We are all worth it - and we need to do whatever we can to remind ourselves (and each other) of that fact every single day /14
The world can be a hateful place with many people looking to tear us down.
Never forget your worth isn’t about what’s in your bank account, how healthy you are or what your job is.
It’s about YOU. Who you are and what you bring to the world
You are loved. Just as you are.
80 #Autism #Accommodations You Don't Know About (But REALLY Need)
After saving up for 4 months - I've confirmed my #cabin booking for my adaptive snowsports training trip in early January. It's in a forested rural area in #CourtenayBC & only 15 minutes from shuttle bus meet spot. The hottub, firepit & indoor bathtub will be much appreciated after all the physically active days up on Mt. Washington. I'm bringing one friend as my personal assistant.
I'm a #ParaAthlete with the #VancouverIsland #AdaptiveSnowsports Association & Canadian Adaptive Snowsports Association for #PeopleWithDisabilities.
My first adaptive snowsports trip was in 2020 - I tried out sitski, adaptive snowboarding & adaptive outrigger skiing on that trip. 2025 is my return to their program. I'm taking part in the annual Herb Bradley Snowsports Festival & entering one sitski race 
I'll be trying out their adaptive Nordic skiing lessons for the first time too.
This is the VIASA website:
https://visasweb.ca/
Feeling anxious. I just sent a reminder to the accommodations team that I will need accommodations for my interview today. They forgot last time, so it had to be rescheduled, resulting in another week's delay while depending on the kindness of others to eat. Now i have this extra thing to be anxious about, on top of having an extra week to be anxious. There are always knock-on effects when accommodations aren't made available.
#DisabilityRights
#AccommodationsMatter
#Disability
#Accommodations
When you become disabled - everyone will start suggesting fixes to you. People can’t comprehend the chronic nature of chronic illness.
Trying to accept that your life is forever changed is made harder by those constantly suggesting a magic cure will get you “back to before”.
When tempted to ask “have you tried yoga?” Please don’t. Take a breath. Realize we’re grieving the loss of our old life & body & trying to learn acceptance. You’re hindering that important process by making it seem like there’s a quick & easy fix.
Sit with us in our grief. Don’t try and fix us.
Hosting Accessible Events and Meetings
Free online presentation by the Massachusetts Office on Disabilities, this Monday, 27 Aug, 1-3pm EDT
More info and registration at:
https://www.mass.gov/event/quarterly-tea-with-mod-hosting-accessible-events-and-meetings-2024-08-27t130000-0400-2024-08-27t150000-0400
How can your institution benefit from reframing #autism and #neurodiversity?
The #RAND corporation suggests that
1. Some traits (like #neurodivergence) can be so advantageous in certain industries that they are more like #qualifications than #disabilities.
2. Some #accommodations (like stimulus-reduced spaces and times) are so universally beneficial that they should be the default rather an exception to #policy.
Another way of looking at #HighFunctioningAutism, ie:
I'm not a high functioning autistic person though that the box I was put in.
I am an average #ActuallyAutistic person with many well-masked difficulties & a very high degree of informal #Accommodations provided throughout my life by people who truly loved me for who I was even though they didn't know what that was :)
That being said, I’m still struggling a great deal. But I have support, such as in my psychologist and, hopefully soon, a new psychiatrist. And the team of doctors who care for me are all very positive people for me. They take me seriously and that's new to me, in medicine.
One of the realities about #HighFunctioningAutism is that people are often able to function thanks to masking. But also informal #Accommodations.
I was able to hold jobs, & at quite a high level, because I had a lot of people behind me, both at work, at home & among my friends/peers. One type of support I was given by many bosses was the ability to work early & partially off-hours. That allowed me to avoid #RushHour which I found incredibly stressful, whether I was commuting by foot, transit or automobile.
My parents also allowed me to do strange things, such as shifting my schedule on weekends, so I would sleep during the day and work overnight. It was hard, especially that I'm very much of a daytime & morning person. But I needed quiet time alone, often to finish a school paper.
I had so many accommodations. Without those accommodations, I would not have been high-functioning. And with such accommodations I am certain that some people who have more trouble would tremendously improve if given support throughout by most people who surround them.
It was a tough day with the Pasadena Parks people deciding they will no longer open the dog park by 6am. Both heat & crowds affect me. This will impact me & I'm extremely upset. The city is discriminating imo.
I am working on my author #AI Statement.
What I have so far:
Artificial Intelligence Statement - As a deafblind, autistic, arthritic, and potentially dyslexic author I do use spell check, grammar check, the online dictionary, and occasionally dictation and speech in Scrivener on my computer.
I should be using a screenreader and braille display, if I could retain the complicated directions.
There are markets that consider me less than human for needing these #Disability #Accommodations.
Big goal this year is reliable transportation. Can't drive. Over $1k/year on bus passes for a public system that sucks. Same amount = bike & gear = freedom and accommodated disabilities.
Choice of perks for generous donors, from a game seat to a custom game written by Rev to access to Thought Punks #TTRPGs for life!
Fund: https://fundrazr.com/revbikefund
Throne list: https://throne.com/revcasey/collections/revs-mobility
Simple goal: Bike & gear accommodating my disabilities.
Cannot safely drive & busses suck here.
Budget is just one year of bus passes.
Saving on bus pass & Ubers for gaps, I'll have less #MutualAid need.
Empower me & make my life more sustainable.
https://fundrazr.com/revbikefund
FAQ:
Yes, sponsoring updates is possible.
Yes, support sales are cool!
Perks can be arranged. Talk to me!
My big goal this year is trying to get reliable transportation. I can't drive. I spend over $1k/year on bus passes for a public system that is... not great. For the same amount, I could have a bike that gives me freedom and accommodates my disabilities.
Fund: https://fundrazr.com/revbikefund
Throne list: https://throne.com/revcasey/collections/revs-mobility
Direct gifts [mention "bike fund"]: https://paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4TQUQPZ9VBXGS
Shameful treatment of #Black #Deaf employee #JalonHall by #Google. This company has more money than God; they can afford to provide world-class #accessibility and #accommodations. Not doing so (under the excuse of "confidentiality") is a deliberate choice.
https://www.wired.com/story/google-black-deaf-worker-diversity-suing-discrimination/
