Hello all,

First of all I would like to say I am a Disabled person. That is how I describe myself. My disability is a part of me and I chose how to describe myself. 

If you, as a Disabled person chose to say person with a disability that is your choice. 

I tend to have issues with non disabled people telling me I can’t say Disabled. ‘But you are not your Disability’ I know I am not. I never said I was. What I mean is that my disabilities make up who I am and I therefore chose to use Disabled person. 

It is not for a non disabled person to tell me what terminology to use. If you have a problem with the word Disabled I suggest you really think about what it is you have a problem with. 

Anyway, it’s been Disability History Month and International Day of persons with Disabilities. 

We are often left out and marginalised by society, which leaves us excluded. We can be seen to be a burden or something that can be treated as an after thought. This should never be the case. 

We are here. We have rights and we deserve to live life. However, we cannot live life if places do not make themselves inclusive to us. 

We need accessibility to be at the start of a conversation not just an add on. We need to feel like we are at the table having the conversation. We need to have all areas of Disability included. You cannot say you are inclusive because you have a ramp and then have doors which are not accessible. You can’t use alt text in your advertising to do a funny little joke. 

Access needs are important and we need to have them in place so that we can fully participate in society and not feel excluded. 

If you are wondering how you can make things more accessible then look up Disability charities like RNIB or Scope. They have a ton of resources which are available. 

I hope you have a great day and thank you for reading my thoughts on Disability. 

Thank you,
Phili