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Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability

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Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability

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I loved this book! Shane Burcaw has done an excellent service by describing how he faces life boldly despite his disability, spinal muscular atrophy. He is realistic and optimistic about what he can do, which is a lot, and his limits. He encourages his readers to look at the person, not the appearance. His attitude and message of respect and kindness are refreshing and vital for everyone.

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NOT SO DIFFERENT | Shane Burcaw | Inclusion | Preschool | Read Aloud | Story

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The movie is in the Punjabi language and is about Bhagat Puran Singh. He established Pingalwara, meaning “home of the crippled,” in Amritsar, India. Pingalwara is a home to individuals with physical ailments, mental health disorders, and disabilities, as well as orphans. This movie emphasizes that disabled people have the right to have necessities and acceptance in society.

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Exclusive : Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe Trailer | Pavan Raj Malhotra, Arjuna Bhalla, Avrinder Kaur | Filmipop Videos - Times of India Videos

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Exclusive : Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe Trailer | Pavan Raj Malhotra, Arjuna Bhalla, Avrinder Kaur

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Sudha Chandran used Instagram to appeal to the Prime Minister 

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Sudha Chandran used Instagram to appeal to the Prime Minister 

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Sudha Chandran informed the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Modi, about the humiliation and embarrassment she always faced at airport security—every time she had to remove her prosthetic leg. She requested alternative facilities for people with disabilities. Sudha Chandran is a highly acclaimed Indian Bharatanatyam dancer in the world. She lost one leg in a car accident and has a prosthetic leg. The power of social media made the airport authorities apologize to Sudha and devise accommodations for people with disabilities.

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Sudha Chandran says airport officials ask her ‘to remove artificial limb’, tags PM Modi

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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, but just felt in the heart." - Helen Keller
Helen Keller's story demonstrates the role of the educator in her. The people around Helen felt her behavior was different, but no one tried to understand her needs. She was the first deaf and blind to attain a college degree. These children's books help young readers understand people with or without disabilities have potential.

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I am Helen Keller by Brad Meltzer | READ ALOUD

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Dating app for people with disabilities is a great way to break the media stereotypes that disabled people are not romantic.

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Disabled Mate | Disabled Dating Service for Devotees and Disabled Singles

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Already tried disabled dating sites but you are still having trouble finding disabled singles? Handicap dating is easy with our disabled dating site., Disabled Mate

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Simon Oliver Sinek is an inspirational speaker. He talks about his ADHD and asks a question; Can we talk about his strengths instead of weakness? The need is to change our perception of disability.

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Do you have any suggestions or resources for people that have ADHD? What other questions do you have? Share them in the comments!

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@simonsinek
Do you have any suggestions or resources for people that have ADHD? What other questions do you have? Share them in the comments!
♬ original sound - Simon Sinek

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Mohammed Qahtani had a severe stuttering problem in childhood. Still, he became a World Champion of Public Speaking in 2015- his speech ‘The Power of Words’ is an excellent message for educators, parents, and society to be mindful of our words. Your comments can make or break someone’s life. As we try integrating education with social-emotional learning, Mohammed Qahtani’s speech aptly conveys the message.

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2015 World Champion: 'The Power of Words' Mohammed Qahtani, Toastmasters International

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Encore Lachi talks about her blindness and work. Lachi advises people with disabilities not to be ashamed of a disability and instead embrace it and achieve their dreams.

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Joyce welcomes recording artist and disability rights advocate, Lachi to the show. Lachi will share her story about growing up as a person who is blind. She will share what inspired her to enter the music entertainment industry and what gave her the confidence to do so. Additionally, Lachi will share her work with the Grammy's and offer advice to people with disabilities on how to overcome being ashamed of a disability and instead embrace it and pursue their dreams.

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Encore Lachi: Recording Artist, and Disability Rights Advocate

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Check out this great listen on Audible.com. Joyce welcomes recording artist and disability rights advocate, Lachi to the show. Lachi will share her story about growing up as a person who is blind. She will share what inspired her to enter the music entertainment industry and what gave her the conf...

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The lyrics of this song are thought-provoking. When we look beyond disabilities, persons with special needs can also contribute to society.

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Look Beyond My Disability, See The True Me - 'Fire in the Rain' Music Video

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The article talks about Joel Brown, a dancer who has paraplegia and dances in a wheelchair. He spoke about his challenges while performing in India. During his tour to India, he couldn't find a stage with ramp access for wheelchairs. They built stage for Joel's performance.

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t's a performance that has been keeping Indian audiences riveted over the past few weeks and has also helped challenge the country's huge lack of disability inclusion. A startling duet between the US dancer Joel Brown, who is paraplegic and dances in a wheelchair, and the Estonian ballerina Eve Mutso has been touring large towns and cities in India.

The performance, 111, tells the story of the dancers meeting in 2016 at the Scottish Ballet in Glasgow. Apparently unfettered by physical limitations, the duo, in perfect sync, move through changing rhythms and lyrical sequences that push the possibilities of dance.

"When Eve and I first met, I wrote her a series of notes, each ending with an invitation to dance," says Brown, a dancer with Candoco, the UK's leading inclusive dance company, gesturing in sign language as he speaks.

Created over four years, 111 is touring India with the support of Creative Scotland and has already performed in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Georgia. It was a sellout show at the 2019 Edinburgh fringe.

During the pandemic in 2020 a film version was shown at several international film festivals. In India, 111 premiered at a Pickle Factory Dance Foundation's festival in Kolkata, where it brought uncomfortable questions on accessibility and inclusiveness to Indian cultural spaces.

"Ironically, while scouring the city for venues for 111, we were unable to find a single one with ramp access for wheelchairs. We had to build our own stage for this performance," says Dana Roy, creative producer at Pickle Factory.

In an aftershow event, Brown spoke of his own experience as a paraplegic dancer: "Access is the most important part of inclusion. The Americans With Disabilities Act is one of the best legislations, worldwide, on disability. This makes my life in the US very simple," he said. "But as I travel with my performances, it is incredible to know how different my body is in America and in cities around the globe - what it can and cannot do due to accessibility of infrastructures and the quality of public spaces."

For those with disabilities in India, 111 was a first-of-its kind experience. A touch tour before the show is provided for people who are visually impaired. They can then listen to an audio guide that can be downloaded on phones, and which runs through the performance. "The idea of the stage tour is to give a spacial understanding of the show. People with visual impairments can touch the props and costumes and walk through the stage before sitting for the show and listening to the audio recording," said Brown.

India is a signatory to the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007) but grapples with social prejudices and apathy in meeting the needs of its disabled people. In arts and culture, this means inaccessible venues and performances with little or no participation from those with disabilities.

Mutso said: 'Though we support inclusive practice, our duet did not have a specific inclusive agenda as such.' Photograph: Susan Hay

"It's a chicken-and-egg situation" says Siddhant Shah, whose organisation, Access for All works to bridge the gap between culture and disability in India. "Those in charge of heritage sites, gallerists, and show organisers dismiss such inclusive infrastructural upgrades, claiming that they would hardly come to use. Disabled persons, on the other hand, feel that it is these hurdles that keep them out."

Ishan Chakraborty, who is visually impaired, attended the show and took the touch tour. "Usually when it comes to performing arts, I automatically exclude myself, knowing there is nothing in it for me. For the first time I could really understand what was going on. It was a lifetime's experience," he says.

We must not see this as optional. Inclusiveness must be regularised and integrated at the planning stage

Chakraborty says he is less challenged by his disability than by the constraints to his participation in public life. "This show is a step forward in smashing the binaries that disability creates - which bodies we see as able or not."

Shah refuses to view disability access as a virtue. "We must not see this as optional. Inclusiveness must be regularised and integrated at the planning stage. He says there have been some incremental changes in the art and cultural domain. They range from tokenistic responses to holistic efforts that have led to much more inclusivity.

"Access is just the first step - but by recognising the needs of this community, you inevitably recognise its stake in culture itself."

Both Mutso and Brown have been involved in inclusive practice in their individual work - Brown with Candoco and Mutso with Indepen-dance, a Scottish dance company.

Mutso is glad their show brought attention to issues of inclusion, but says it was not deliberate. "Though we support inclusive practice, our duet did not have a specific inclusive agenda as such. It is just about having the mindset that no one is left behind. After all, we are only as strong as our weakest link."

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'Disability access isn't optional': the show that's ignited India's debate on inclusion

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Paraplegic dancer Joel Brown and ballerina Eve Mutso's touring piece isn't about disability rights but has provoked discussion of India's inclusiveness deficit

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Hichki' is a 2018 movie in the Hindi language- Hichki means hiccup. The Bollywood actress- Rani Mukherji played the role of a woman who has Tourette's syndrome and wants to become a teacher. Further, the movie portrays the stereotypes of society, like she can't get a teaching job because of her disability. They use ableist language. She gets a group of students who are rebellious and feels excluded from other rich kids at school. The protagonist accepts all the challenges and conveys the
the message of the right to education for all; embracing your flaws and disability might impact the body's physical movement but has nothing to do with our dreams.

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Hichki | Official Trailer | Rani Mukerji

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Mia's Dream Come True- All Abilities Playground -Hayward

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Mia's Dream Come True- All Abilities Playground -Hayward

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This article talks about the idea of building a park that is accessible and gives sensory experiences to kids with disabilities. Daniel made the design of this project. His daughter, Mia Vasquez, had a severe form of cerebral disability. She loved outdoor activities, but regular parks were not accessible. This article respects the needs of people with disabilities. This park is a perfect example of inclusiveness. I love going to this park with my son.

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/ CBS San Francisco

HAYWARD (KPIX 5) - You've heard of a field of dreams, but what they're about to build in this park in Hayward has nothing to do with baseball. It's about a girl named Mia.

There's nothing wrong with Tennyson Park, as long as you can walk and run. Ten-year old Mia Vasquez has cerebral palsy and can't do that, but she loves having fun outdoors

In 2016, her dad, Daniel, sketched out on a napkin his design for a new park for Mia.

"We came up with the idea of creating a park that was not only accessible, but ultra-accessible and have it be in our neighborhood," Vasquez told KPIX 5.

It's called "Mia's Dream Come True," and they aren't dreaming small. The play area will be a full acre in size, taking up most of the grass area of the park.

Daniel's idea was to mimic places in Hayward that Mia enjoys, so this airport area will have swings hanging from the wings of full-size airplane.

The firehouse will feature a real fire engine, hollowed out so someone in a wheelchair can roll right up to the steering wheel.

There will be a giant piano similar to what Tom Hanks played in the movie "'Big" and the "Bay Area" will include whales with interactive spouts and a wheelchair accessible fishing boat.

Pam Russo, the director of the Hayward Area Recreation District, admits they got a little caught up in Daniel's enthusiasm.

"We have taken this sketch on a napkin, and with each set of plans the concept grew as did the budgetary end of things."

They've now raised $2.5 million in corporate and public donations and say they need about 1 million more to make Mia's dream a reality.

And when they do, it will not only be a destination park for disabled kids from all over the Bay Area.

Mayor Barbara Halliday thinks it will be a key to revitalizing the entire Tennyson District.

"It's a snowball effect. I think when people get used to really coming back and using this park again for what it's intended to be used for, we're just going to see a renaissance of the whole community," Halliday said.

Daniel said he doesn't know how long they will have Mia. But 10 years ago, she was given one year to live. So he's not afraid to have BIG dreams for his daughter.

"This will be her legacy. This will be a way for Mia to be remembered long after she's gone, you know, hey, Mia helped make that park."

Construction of Mia's Dream Come True will begin in November, and if all goes well it should be in operation by the end of 2019.

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Hayward To Build Park Inspired By Girl With Cerebral Palsy

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It's called "Mia's Dream Come True," and they aren't dreaming small.

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"You are Enough'- it is an excellent picture book with beautiful illustrations and a strong message of inclusiveness. This book, inspired by 11-year-old Sofia Sanchez, celebrates how beautiful we all are no matter how we look or what we can and cannot do. The book's primary focus is to show young readers to develop a positive mindset and surround by optimistic and supportive people. You are enough to achieve your dreams!

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📚 You are Enough A Book About Inclusion - Kids Book Read Aloud - Social Emotional Learning Bedtime